ISHU369: thanks for the update. it is encouraging to hear on the positive side of living in Qatar. you have rightly summed up that savings are important for expats especially for Asians.

thanks everyone for contributing /replying to this post. i guess, just like everywhere else, life in qatar has its own benefits and challenges. i am trying to summarize what i could gather from the various responses from this discussion:

Positive aspects of living in Qatar:
1. Reasonable salaries (almost 2-3 times higher than India)
2. Tax free benefits
3. Good saving opportunities
4. Safe and secure place to live
5. large expat population (mixed cultures)

Negatives:
1. Poor work culture
2. Discrimination (esp against Asian migrants)
3. Expensive housing and children's education
4. Family Visa problem if salary is below 10k

Please feel free to add your own comments on +ves and -ves in the list.

ultimately, one has to figure out his/her own priorities in life , no matter where he/she lives and works. Thanks!!