Help!!!! Im new To Qatar

ShabzA
By ShabzA

Hi Ex Pats, Qataris & All.

I'm a young guy from Southampton, UK and moving to Qatar 1st March 2010. I have been to Doha before on a weekend visit for an interview.

I am new so need to make lots of new freinds who are outgoing & fun to be around

I also have a lot of admin stuff to do which I would appreciate all help on and pointers in the right direction

These include

Swapping my U.K license for a Qatari License
Opening a Bank Account
Where to buy cars from apart from QL
Where to hang out and meet friends
Any help on anything would be appreciated

I am not worried about culture shock as I think I can handle this

Thanks All :)

Thank you to all! I'm so glad I found this site :)

By ShabzA• 2 Mar 2010 07:48
ShabzA

Staying in the Ezmar hotel anyone fancy a get together

By ShabzA• 25 Feb 2010 19:54
ShabzA

Ive been reading some threads abouth Doha night life and quite a few comments are that it sucks

Also there is a real issue where you need to enter bars/pubs/clubs as a couple

I was looking forward to a half decent night life in Doha

I might need to think again

Also I have been told of some really cool private parties but you need to be part of the club to be invited

By marie_2• 23 Feb 2010 23:58
marie_2

ojfmu... same boat, different captains? well!!! lucky boat. Welcome to Qatar :)

...listen to the sound of silence....

By ShabzA• 23 Feb 2010 22:18
ShabzA

I will end up owing you mare than one drink at the British Society meetup

:)

By Alumnar• 23 Feb 2010 20:10
Alumnar

... and you will probably be getting a nice apartment in a building which has facilities. Anyway, when you know where it is and what the building is called, give me a shout and I will check it out for you :)

By ojfmu• 23 Feb 2010 17:41
ojfmu

Had similar questions myself... I am in from the states and this helps a bit, thanks everyone!

By ShabzA• 23 Feb 2010 17:29
ShabzA

Thanks for your help Alumnar i am not getting an allowance

Fully furnished accomodation is provided by the company. So am unsure yet as to the details and its whereabouts which I should get today

AmericanDarling I can live with that but i can understand it to be frustrating when you are used to living in a certain way.

By Alumnar• 23 Feb 2010 16:53
Alumnar

... and then according to it I can give you a hand finding suitable accomodation. Let me know when you get all the details (how much you will get as allowance) and we go from there :)

By AmericanDarling• 23 Feb 2010 14:00
AmericanDarling

Doha is definitely what you make of it, but you should have no trouble finding plenty of good people here!

Do your outdoor exploring NOW, as soon it will be much too hot.

And be prepared for anything administrative or government-related to take much, much longer than you expect it will/should.

By ShabzA• 23 Feb 2010 13:11
ShabzA

Also do you know which are good areas to live in as I will be getting my accomodation details soon but need to know if the area is any good

Good point "bear in mind this is not your home"

By Alumnar• 22 Feb 2010 08:24
Alumnar

... take things on board with an open mind and always bear in mind this is not your home. It makes things a lot easier when you have a 'down' moment.

Specially - be prepared for the 'driving skills' in this country! THAT will be your biggest culture shock when you arrive ;)

Catch up later :)

By ShabzA• 22 Feb 2010 00:23
ShabzA

@ ....listen to the sound of silence....

Thanks Rev Im sure Ill work it out im pretty excited so that should take me throught the first few months and if I find a good crowd it can be a memorable few years

By Rev.s• 21 Feb 2010 23:19
Rev.s

In few days u will figure out everything :)

-: Perfectly ImPerfect :-

By marie_2• 21 Feb 2010 23:03
marie_2

welcome... you'll find buddies sooner or later

...listen to the sound of silence....

By Alumnar• 21 Feb 2010 22:48
Alumnar

Yes still here, they won't let me leave Qatar t my sentence is over ;) We sure need to catch up! I sent you a pm, will give you a buzz tomorrow mate. Take care :)

By coolenrique99• 21 Feb 2010 22:23
coolenrique99

welcome Shabza!you will meet a lot of friends here...

By coolenrique99• 21 Feb 2010 22:23
coolenrique99

welcome Shabza!you will meet a lot of friends here...

By perfectStranger• 21 Feb 2010 20:40
Rating: 2/5
perfectStranger

Amulnar--> u still in doha, lets catch up

shabza--> for bank account pm me, shall get it sorted.

By anonymous• 21 Feb 2010 20:03
anonymous

Click on this thread, might help with that.

http://www.qatarliving.com/node/467176

"Live with passion, Die with style"

By ShabzA• 21 Feb 2010 20:01
ShabzA

what the club and bar scene is like here

By ShabzA• 21 Feb 2010 20:00
ShabzA

thats cool two mags marhaba and time out

ill pick these up ASAp

By FranElizabeth• 19 Feb 2010 21:55
FranElizabeth

Time Out Doha mag is brilliant for reviews and info too.

By DohaDiesel• 19 Feb 2010 21:12
DohaDiesel

Shabza,

If you have a full UK Licence you can get a temp licence on monthly basis as soon as you arrive. Better having one as there is no actual sayso on how long you can drive with the UK one. (Not even the traffic police could tell me)

For cars, suggest you opt for brand new, unless you actually know the person you would be buying from 2nd hand. (lots of noce cars but you have to be practical for your work)

Bank account, you need to ensure that your company is approved with the bank. You are better opening with the company corporate bank.

Quite a few bars here to hang out in. As long as you are not shy you will normally always get chatting with someone.

PM me if you want anything else.

By ShabzA• 19 Feb 2010 19:59
ShabzA

LOL @ embarassing moments

At the moment I cant see why I would shake a Muslim Womans hand

Thanks I will pickup a copy of Marhaba

By ShabzA• 19 Feb 2010 19:57
ShabzA

Not really into Rugby more of a footie fan

Sporting activities sound really good

top advice Mary Catherine

By anonymous• 19 Feb 2010 19:28
anonymous

its quarterly magazine, good guide for new comers

available at all stores for QAR 20

Avoid emabarassing moments: Do not shake hands with Muslim women

By marycatherine• 19 Feb 2010 19:28
Rating: 5/5
marycatherine

All of the 5* hotels have gym pool and usually beach access. They are the priciest option - starting aroung 7000 for single men (you get charged more) but they have quality equipment and good facilities. You cannot get an alcohol permit or a drivers license until you have your residency permit (usually 2 - 3 weeks - check with the HR dept of your company).

If you're looking to meet people and are interested in stuff like rugby then the Rugby club is always a good bet. There is a branch of the Hash House Harriers here and a number of other sporting type activities (kite boarding, scuba diving, sailing etc) You'll find them quite easily by googling or doing a search here.

Good luck.

Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"

By ShabzA• 19 Feb 2010 19:11
ShabzA

Do you know of any Auctions or local car markets

Thanks for the info

By MAJID• 19 Feb 2010 18:39
MAJID

hay i can be ur friend :) gym hmm its fitness first gym in city center cars offcorce for showrooms and about 2 hand cars u can get it from salwa road and some where u would enjoy if u like outdoor sports its in sealine desert with dirtbikes,quads,sand rails etc

peace :)

By ShabzA• 19 Feb 2010 18:21
ShabzA

Ok I get you

LOL

Refreshments!!!!!!

Nice thankls for another good pointer StoneCold/FranElizabeth

By FranElizabeth• 19 Feb 2010 18:14
FranElizabeth

It's where you get your 'refreshments' from:) Doha is what you make it and I'm sure you'll enjoy.

By anonymous• 19 Feb 2010 18:13
anonymous

I have bought that one way ticket a while back but the EXIT visa required here to get out of Qatar is holding me back.. Will work that out soon..

Cheers and welcome to Qatar :-)

"Live with passion, Die with style"

By ShabzA• 19 Feb 2010 18:11
ShabzA

LOL

great sound advice

Seems like you need a one way ticket out of Doha

By anonymous• 19 Feb 2010 18:04
anonymous

Best advice, Miss that flight on the 1st of March...

"Live with passion, Die with style"

By ShabzA• 19 Feb 2010 18:04
ShabzA

Am i right that this is where you get your driving license from or is it something else?

By ShabzA• 19 Feb 2010 18:03
ShabzA

Thanks I was looking through QL to see what QDC is and found out.

Its where we can get our driving license issued

By FranElizabeth• 19 Feb 2010 18:02
FranElizabeth

I agree. Always good to have your priorities right:)

By ShabzA• 19 Feb 2010 17:54
ShabzA

Thanks hasan 1024 very informative

with the hotels I assume you get membership to all their facilities e.g. clubs/bars etc

Pls can you provide me with more costs for Energie, Fareej etc and also the hotels

By Stone Cold• 19 Feb 2010 17:51
Stone Cold

First thing first, you should know where QDC is.

By ShabzA• 19 Feb 2010 17:51
ShabzA

Thanks 220v Ill give you a shout when im in Doha

By ShabzA• 19 Feb 2010 17:50
ShabzA

dont know what gyms youve been going to

By 220v• 19 Feb 2010 17:46
220v

hey.. don't waste ur tym reading.. just call me at 7404171.. i'll show u da basic spots of little doha...

and yea i'm not atour guide.. :-)

welcome to Qatar..

By hassan1024• 19 Feb 2010 17:30
Rating: 5/5
hassan1024

First name that comes to mind is Fitness first at City Center mall (and opening soon at Villagio I believe), ....around 5000-6000 QRS for a one year membership, depending on whatever offers they may have.

Al Massa active, near Ramada hotel, costs around 4000 QRS for one year...they don't have steam rooms and such though

Three other names are Energie fitness, Hard bodies club, and Fereej gym don't know about their rates, as they've just opened. I can make some enquiries if you like.

You could always go to the fitness clubs at the hotels, more fancy facilities, but no doubt pricier.

By mmyke• 19 Feb 2010 17:20
mmyke

you can't be naked in the change-rooms,,,,

By ShabzA• 19 Feb 2010 17:14
ShabzA

Thanks Hasan Im looking for a decent gym with all the equipment/machines etc

A sauna/steam room will be an added extra

wot kind of costs am I looking at

By hassan1024• 19 Feb 2010 16:18
hassan1024

There's quite a few gyms that have opened up in Qatar of late. Where will you be staying, there may be a gym in the area.

(btw I see you're a Liverpool fan, boooooooooo )

By ShabzA• 19 Feb 2010 16:11
ShabzA

Also what is a good gym costs, location etc

As I am keen to keep up fitness when I arrive

You have been extremely helpful

:)

By Alumnar• 19 Feb 2010 15:43
Alumnar

... if you bring an international driving license with you. I am not too sure about how long, but I think you are allowed to drive legally for 6 months? As for your English Driving License you are only legal on the roads for a week... No idea why, but hey...!

Any questions just pop them on this topic, I am sure we all will be able to help :)

By ShabzA• 19 Feb 2010 15:36
ShabzA

Thanks Alumna seems like the company will sort out most of the admin bits and pieces

I did read your reply and thanks very much for the points

This was also just a posting to get in contact with some good like minded ppl

By Alumnar• 19 Feb 2010 15:13
Alumnar

... on QL's search engine you will find answers to all your questions.

Your company should help you with the necessary documents for swapping your Driving License, opening a Bank Account and getting your Alcohol License.

I have already answered a few of your questions on the topic 'British Club in Qatar' - did you read them?

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