jrsh has a point, of course. But in the ultimate balance it is still a good place to live and work for all the reasons mentioned previously.
We've been here for 10 years and have seen the place change a lot. Both our boys were born here and the post-natal medical care at Hamad Hospital has been great. The little one had to be admitted to ICU when he was a day old and the care was exemplary. And free.
Yes it is becoming much more expensive, school fees and "capital charges" are being levied with the Ministry of Education not giving a damn, rents have tripled and quadrupled, there is censorship, there are no real activities for families, no museums, no libraries, no galleries, very little in terms of cultural experiences... The list can go on and on.
But we still choose to live here because our freedoms are intact, it's economically viable, the beaches are great, the variety of the residents of the country is ultimately an enriching experience, the Qataris are the best people in the Gulf and we've never faced any ill-intent towards us by anybody.
But do remember that most of what you see now is just 6 or 7 years old. In 1996 you only had the Gulf Cinema, the Center and the Corniche. This country has come far in less than a decade.
In 10 years this country has been good to us, its people hospitable and we feel blessed to be here.
And you know, Qatar doesn't ask much of us; respect the stability of the country, don't mess around with drugs and don't make a nuisance of yourself.
jrsh has a point, of course. But in the ultimate balance it is still a good place to live and work for all the reasons mentioned previously.
We've been here for 10 years and have seen the place change a lot. Both our boys were born here and the post-natal medical care at Hamad Hospital has been great. The little one had to be admitted to ICU when he was a day old and the care was exemplary. And free.
Yes it is becoming much more expensive, school fees and "capital charges" are being levied with the Ministry of Education not giving a damn, rents have tripled and quadrupled, there is censorship, there are no real activities for families, no museums, no libraries, no galleries, very little in terms of cultural experiences... The list can go on and on.
But we still choose to live here because our freedoms are intact, it's economically viable, the beaches are great, the variety of the residents of the country is ultimately an enriching experience, the Qataris are the best people in the Gulf and we've never faced any ill-intent towards us by anybody.
But do remember that most of what you see now is just 6 or 7 years old. In 1996 you only had the Gulf Cinema, the Center and the Corniche. This country has come far in less than a decade.
In 10 years this country has been good to us, its people hospitable and we feel blessed to be here.
And you know, Qatar doesn't ask much of us; respect the stability of the country, don't mess around with drugs and don't make a nuisance of yourself.
I can live with that, anytime.