To move or not to move
Hi all,
Would appreciate some advice.
Spent the last 11 years living in the UAE (Dubai). Recently moved back to UK to be close to my family after my wife and I had our first child but absolutely hate it here.
Work is now hard to find back in Dubai but there seems to be loads of work in Doha.
Question is..what is life like in Doha for an UK expat? Is it fundamentally different from Dubai or much the same?
In a real dilemma so would appreciate some honest opinions.
Many thanks in advance
We also lived in Dubai for 2 yrs and now in Doha for almost 2 yrs. We love the quieter lifestyle in Doha as against the crazy Dubai. Yes there are less things to do here but I believe a greater quality of life for children as well as many Brit expats here for your wife to meet and be friends with.
I am an Aussie here with my safety manager husband and he tells me there is definitely more work here in Doha than Dubai. However you didn't say what your profession was and we would all be able to advise you better if we knew that? If it's construction-related - no worries! Qatar is crying out for professional engineers etc.
You will need to inquire about nursery schooling availability online or schooling if your children are in that age group. Sometimes there are waiting lists!
Renting is dearer than Dubai however you only pay month by month in most cases which is such a relief after (our experience) paying for a whole year ahead in Dubai! :)
There is a lot of valuable info about Doha here in Qatar Living and there are other sites as well so scout around!
We love it and so will you and your family!
Good luck with your move and WELCOME! :)
Doha is Dubai-lite (for better and for worse). But you hate where you are it's worth looking into.
We've got the inland sea that Dubai doesn't! Score Doha 1 Dubai 0. :) Jokes apart, there aren't many public beaches but I could be wrong about that (sorry, not a beach person). Most hotels have a beach area that you can access for a fee.
Accommodation is a mix of villas and apartments. I am sure you will find a place suitable for the wife and kids. Just make sure your housing allowance is generous enough to cover the ridiculous rentals here. Doha is slightly more expensive than Dubai.
Porsche Girl,
many thanks for your honesty....i was hoping i would hear back from someone who has lived in Dubai.
I guess my biggest concern has to be for my family as i have a wife and two very young children. Have got used to driving the 4x4 on to beaches in Dubai at the weekends and just wondered if that type of thing is possible in Doha.
Also we were very fortunate to have a big villa in Dubai with lots of outside space. What is the accommodation like in Doha?? Mix of villas/apartments or mainly apartments.
Would appreciate your further thoughts.
If you can't find work in Blighty and hate it, then its a no brainer - move!
Having lived in both cities, I'd choose Doha over Dubai - any day. Dubai, I think, is a great place for a holiday but average to live in. Doha, on the other hand, is easier to live in but an average holiday destination. For every restaurant and shopping option Doha has, Dubai has 50 - if you know what I mean. But heck I couldn't care less about that - afterall if I wanna shop, Dubai is 40min flight away. Life is just easier here - it is less crowded and hassling. Loads of expats (just like in Dubai) but people here are lot friendlier. Do you have any specific questions or concerns about moving here?
Well life in Doha is very different to Dubai, as things r easier life wise more flexible in Dubai than in Doha, u know turning a blind eye to certain things. Many brits in doha so u will fit rite in