1. We bank online with HSBC and always have great service with them.
2. We have orbit TV- its fine
3. Best Kindergarten- not sure, but children start school here at 3 years. I have heard Tots corner is good (nursery). I also have a friend who sends her little one to the Montessorri Kindergarten and loves it.
4. Stick to the American School and Doha English Speaking school. Many of the other schools are mainly Arabic with the curriculum delivered in English.
5. We bought both of our cars second hand from a mechanic friend on Salwa Road. We haven't had any problems with them and got them for good prices too. There are many second hand car dealers on Salwa Rd. You just need to spend a good afternoon looking. Also, you can buy good second hand cars privately from the notice boards in supermarkets. Many expats sell their cars this way.
6. Medical facilities- in my opinion, don't let the DR know you have insurance if you can! It seems as though as soon as they know you are covered you end up with a C-section.
I went to Al Emadi (had a C-section-though for other reasons) and found the hospital and Dr's fantastic. The Dr who did the C-section used the latest techniques (for this country) and I was home in 2 days walking around quite well considering. I was the first C-section for the hospital too (its quite new). There is also another new hospital Al Ahli and they are now delivering babies. There is also an excellent Pediatrician there. We have found the medical facilities really good- unless you get sick during Ramadan (but that's another story!)
7. Not sure where you should live. Traffic is a nightmare no matter where you live. We are in the process of looking for another place but we don't have dogs and my baby is not school aged!
Hi Moonbeam,
1. We bank online with HSBC and always have great service with them.
2. We have orbit TV- its fine
3. Best Kindergarten- not sure, but children start school here at 3 years. I have heard Tots corner is good (nursery). I also have a friend who sends her little one to the Montessorri Kindergarten and loves it.
4. Stick to the American School and Doha English Speaking school. Many of the other schools are mainly Arabic with the curriculum delivered in English.
5. We bought both of our cars second hand from a mechanic friend on Salwa Road. We haven't had any problems with them and got them for good prices too. There are many second hand car dealers on Salwa Rd. You just need to spend a good afternoon looking. Also, you can buy good second hand cars privately from the notice boards in supermarkets. Many expats sell their cars this way.
6. Medical facilities- in my opinion, don't let the DR know you have insurance if you can! It seems as though as soon as they know you are covered you end up with a C-section.
I went to Al Emadi (had a C-section-though for other reasons) and found the hospital and Dr's fantastic. The Dr who did the C-section used the latest techniques (for this country) and I was home in 2 days walking around quite well considering. I was the first C-section for the hospital too (its quite new). There is also another new hospital Al Ahli and they are now delivering babies. There is also an excellent Pediatrician there. We have found the medical facilities really good- unless you get sick during Ramadan (but that's another story!)
7. Not sure where you should live. Traffic is a nightmare no matter where you live. We are in the process of looking for another place but we don't have dogs and my baby is not school aged!
Good luck with it all.
Mish