How does Doha compare to Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
Hey everyone. I've been curious about the status of Doha as a major city along the Persian Gulf.
How does Doha compare to other Middle Eastern cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
Dubai is known as a global city and business hub. Dubai's economy was built on the oil industry, and its main revenues are now from high-class tourism, real estate, and financial services- similar to that of Western countries. Dubai has recently attracted world attention through many innovative large development projects and sports events. Dubai is also an international financial and commercial center, and has been called the "shopping capital of the Middle East", making it one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world. Plus, the city is a major entertainment mecca, as many recording artists have performed there. Clearly, Dubai has a lot going for it.
Abu Dhabi is the richest city in the world, mostly due to the oil industry. Like Dubai, Abu Dhabi has actively attempted to diversify its economy in recent years through investments in financial services and tourism. Abu Dhabi has grown to be an advanced cosmopolitan metropolis with its rapid development and urbanization. Today, the city is the UAE's hub for political, industrial activities, and a major cultural and commercial center.
What about Doha? How can Doha compete with Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
From what I've heard, Doha hasn't grown as quickly as Dubai and Abu Dhabi have. Doha isn't a major tourist destination. The city doesn't have the same amount of architectural advancements that Dubai and Abu Dhabi has. Plus, Doha isn't really known as a hub for finance, commerce, culture, and entertainment. In contrast to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Doha seems to be one of the most unhead-of places in the world.
So what does Doha have to offer that Dubai and Abu Dhabi don't have?
To any Qataris here- I was hoping if you could share your persepectives.
Thank you everyone.
Doha is good and happening but still 10 years behind Dubai.
Just see the roads and infrastructures..I have been seeing same road works in the SAME street for morethan a year but no change.
This very same work in Dubai takes maximum 2-3 days.
U can feel the difference in everything.
Dear All, Now u all r living in doha never blame the country in which u guys are living every dog has its own day..... Thanx...........
abu dhabi myt be better.. but im already here in Doha..
@ pilgram,you start off by saying there aren't any huge differences...isn't the fact that you get stared at & harrassed FAR less than a woman is subject to here,a HUGE difference?!...i would think it is,especially from a woman's point of view!...isn't the more relaxed dress code for women & laws on alcohol a fairly BIG difference,especially from a western woman's point of view?!...surely these two factors alone would make an expat individual,ESPECIALLY an expat woman feel a LOT more relaxed on the whole & living in more relaxed surroundings does contribute to a generally higher sense of well being does it not?!...anyways,that's just my 2 cents...so really,Abu Dhabi is a better version of Doha...MUCH better! :)As for Dubai...it's Dubai & the fact that they have managed to create a unique identity for themselves or are in the process of doing so means it's job well done or almost done...
Having lived in Doha and am now living in Abu Dhabi I can say that there really aren't any huge differences between the two cities. Abu Dhabi is a little more liberal and easy going, especially in regards to the female dress code and alcohol, but in general the people are the same, the shopping is the same, the overall look and feel is the same.The only really big differences are that Abu Dhabi gets some really great concerts and it has Ferrari World (which is really expensive and only worth going to once), and as a woman I feel more comfortable here as there is nowhere near as much staring and harrassment from men.Dubai is a totally different case. I think the financial crisis has actually given the city some character and slowly but surely it's putting itself on the map as a truley unique international city. It might not quite be a New York or a London or a Tokyo yet, but it does have that feeling. Love it or hate it, there isn't another city in the world like it.
each place has its pros and cons. just live with it....
ryt.. i dont know much about the status of each state.. but for an engineer like me.. doha is a perfect place to work.. most of my frens were layed off in dubai..doha is perfect place for developers.. thats all i can say..
Dubai has 'Dubai Forums' incase somebody is interested to join, living in Doha..
http://www.dubaiforums.com/
Why do people keep saying Doha has qatarLiving while Dubai doesn't?Well in Dubai people generally have interesting and reasonably priced places to go instead of sitting at their computers all day long.
Dubai have nothing to do more but Doha has many things to do
in a different way. The financial crisis of Dubai is so enormous that they are on the brink of bankruptcy. Precisely the reason ABu Dhabi is bailing them out!
I feel more belongingness in Doha than in Abu Dhabi...;)....as I feel I am more connecetd to myself here as I get more time and I stay in senses continuously for longer durations as compared to my stay in Abu Dhabi/Dubai....and that then keeps me good shape physically...basically all is well here, so far!!!!
Dubai's economy WAS NOT built on the oil industry.
In rules and regulations Qatar departed from Soudi and not yet reach to Dubai ...Qatar on the way from Soudi to Dubai...
its there is no point in comparison between DXB and Doha....Be it from family life, social life, entertainment...you name it DXB is way ahead...but remember that DXB was also like the present DOha once. But for sure 5-8 years down the line Doha will emerge better than DXB. The primary thing is the restrictions & rules of Qatari govt has to change a lot. some stupid rules like family day in malls..:)),labour laws and many more has to change..Hope Qatar will show their best in next 8-10 years...
Doha has nothing great except QatarLiving which Dubai doesn't..... :)
you will never get 'Exit Permit' you came here to work not to go home :)
I live in Doha, that doesn't force me to love it or I'm obliged to like it...Doha stands no where in comparison to Dubai. Dubai has a feel of belonging while in Doha.....it's all artificial façade. It will take time for Doha to match vibrancy of Dubai, and first thing Doha has to do is to get rid of ‘exit permit system’….IMO
There is no utopia,so it depends on what works for you,EVERY choice one makes has it's own price to pay...the Doha story, higher salary scale than Dubai(not much higher than Abu Dhabi, also largely dependant on one's profession.), but significantly higher rents for accomodation,no salik & lower govt. fees for a lot of transactions but higher cost of groceries not to mention non-availability of a LOT of things as compared to Dubai/Abu Dhabi...FAR less & WAY more expensive choices in terms of eating/drinking out,Dubai & to some extent Abu Dhabi has FAR more choices to suit every budget...ZERO live events of any interest to MOST people( think unknown Latin American dance troupes & Qatar philharmonic orchestra performances) as compared to Yas Island weekends in Abu Dhabi with a lot of known/popular live performances to suit much wider,more popular tastes(think Stevie Wonder, Coldplay, Metallica) & similar events in Dubai(spoilt for choice in Dubai actually),plays,stand-up comedy,etc...downside,because one has so much to choose from in Dubai/Abu Dhabi,expats there(especially younger ones) often complain about not being able to save money but no complaints about the quality of life,quite the opposite here,there is sweet f*&%all to do for the most part(unless of course latin american dance troupes & local philharmonic orchestra performances are what rings your bell!) so one tends to save more(not always though!), but one does spend more on housing & groceries...So really,it's down to the individual & what works for each one of those individuals...utopia would be Doha's salary scales with Doha prices for Govt./public services with Dubai/Abu Dhabi's rents,cost & availability of groceries,social scene & generally higher sense of freedom...no such place exists!...
Doha is unique and has its own charm.
I agree with GOJ, HGL and Speed.
I love Doha as it is.
I have lived in UAE for moe than 15 years and in Doha for the last 1 year.Doha is what Dubai was 20 years ago. The difference is that Dubai had grown very quickly because of the vision and the strategic decision that they take with out any hesitation. They had a very clear defined goals and objectives, which is lacking here. It would take another 25 years for Doha to be like Dubai.The country as a whole has to change a lot in terms of its approach towards the expatriates, the laws etc., People who lived in UAE are reluctant to come to Qatar because of certain restrictions. Dubai has a very friendly approach towards investors whereas Qatar has lots of restrictions. We cannot do a free business like Dubai, the basic problem starts from getting the visas for employees. Sponsoring families is huge task whereas in Dubai a person who earns 4000 dirhams can easily get a family visa in less than an hours time.These are just few examples and there are so many other restrictions such as EXIT permit to leavae the country. I still do not understand the concept behind it. UAE with a population 6.5 M people, do not have this exit permit sysytem, If they could do it, why niot Qatar. To say for businessmen, it;s not easy to do business in Doha as in Dubai.
well said speed, one thing more doha has QL that helps everybody keeps going on their everyday's life.
No Mafias, No hi profile Murders, No prostitutes on the Streets, No street crimes,
No power shortage, No Salik, No Taxes....
No Paid Parkings system in the City (except in Souq waqif/ CC)
cheap fuel, cheap water and electricity...
Doha has Oil and Gas reserves... DOHA IS RICH : )
What Doha will be tomorrow I don't know, but this is Doha today :D
doha is the new babe in gulf now , just wait to get adult and all world will see...
my persepective...
1st...I can compare between Doha and Dubai after 20 years only
2nd...Doha can competing with Dubai >>> if Dubai stop Developing
3rd...Yes i can compare between Doha and Abu Dhabi (because they r Both Rich(Oil and Gas)....not Dubai (Dubai's economy was built on the business industry Not on Oil 100% (The UAE is a seven-member federation including the Gulf trade and tourism hub of Dubai. Over 90 percent of the UAE's oil is located in the country's capital Abu Dhabi)
Dubai...attracted the world businessmen to invests in it...and those businessmen who made the entertainments for themselves and Dubai...which they opted to Dubai to be the center of their business(because of Dubai services)
Abu Dhabi and Doha...they just started...
about the financial woes of Dubai.... My Respect has increased to Dubai for this crisis ... because it is the only Arabian city that affected the global economy...(You Make no mistakes ...you are not working).....and they doing well...
and if u r sooooo happy for Dubai woes...You have to go back and read your CV ... you wrote ''you love teamwork''
and this is ur Definition of (teamwork): When your colleague make a mistake, you will rush to report him...so ur manager will know that you were working in teamwork with him...and u r the man(even u didnt think to help him)u r not working at all
Dubai start with (D)....Doha start with (D)....
Abu Dhabi start with (Abu)+(D)....(Abu) mean Father of = father of (D)
they r one Family...but Dubai is the best Arab City
The job takes me between 4 gulf cities every month and I can say Doha is still a Bedouin camp compared to Dubai and A/Dhabi.Foreigners have more respect and are treated comparatively better in Dubai and A/Dhabi.Weirdly enough high quality accommodation is cheaper in Dubai and A/Dhabi as long as you are not bent on staying on any of the avenue of stars. Groceries are cheaper as long as you are not addicted to shopping on the Oxford streets and Savile Rows.You feel less lonely as a foreigner because almost everyone is foreign.Authorities still take sides with locals but where do you ever see one? So many tourists, the cocoon of anonymity is priceless.
Did you get my point now? There is no point in asking if Dubai is better than Doha on a forum called 'Qatar'living.
Doha is the superior choice for moral better moral character and quality of life. Safer for you with better quality housing. Western expats are kept better under control here than in the UAE, but even then they get too much.
Doha is safer and more stable
Doha is safer and more stable
Why are some ppl wasting their lives in Qatarliving if Dubailiving is so good?
With the world cup in tow, Doha is about to radically alter within the next 12 months. just you wait and see...
With the world cup in tow, Doha is about to radically alter within the next 12 months. just you wait and see...
Anyone who says doha even remotely compares to dubai is a liar. Dubai is miles ahead in terms of social life and fun. Not to mention you can actually travel around the country on the weekends and not get bored.
It's beyond comparison... But I prefer Doha because of its friendly atmosphere.
GOJ...well said... I carry almost the same thoughts...wouldnt want every town to look the same or have the same good and not so good things to offer... no charm, no fun, no challenge of moving to a new place and experiencing it and making my way through it then...
comparing Ant with Elephant? (according to size)
anything about the financial woes of Dubai!
Every place has its unique attractions or distractions, thats what makes this world a beautiful and interesting place. Stop comparing and move on. You should be happy that you got the opportunity to see something different or new things happening or that the place is moving in a new direction
How is Al Katraj compared to Tihar Jail? (Better Analogy)
In Doha I can do things what and when I feel like. In Dubai, I was forced to do things based on availability and on the wishes of my friends..
Dubai has matured but Doha is going through its adolescent stage..that has its own advantages.
How does bombay compare to Udaipur
How does Paris compare to Lyon
How does London compare to Newport
How does Karachi compare to Sialkot
How does New York compare to Little Rock
How does Shaghai compare to Qingdao
Need i go on :O(
you're done, well said