Discussion
I see there's a few PHers there.
I don't know too many details as yet, so not sure where the job will be, but apparently it's a large water treatment project - so I assume not too far from a city!
I'd be particularly interested if anyone has any comparisons with Abu Dhabi life?
Package will be salary, and then all other expenses taken care of (car, accommodation etc).
I don't know too many details as yet, so not sure where the job will be, but apparently it's a large water treatment project - so I assume not too far from a city!
I'd be particularly interested if anyone has any comparisons with Abu Dhabi life?
Package will be salary, and then all other expenses taken care of (car, accommodation etc).
I've been in Doha for just over a year and a half and have been to Abu Dhabi fairly extensively in the last few years so I can probably make a comparison for you. Doha is definitely a smaller place than Abu Dhabi (let alone Dubai) with the knock on implications in terms of number of things to do etc (although it is getting better). Night life is definitely not in the same league - if you're single you may want to make a visit before deciding to accept a job. If you've got a family you'll probably find it easier to settle. From talking to friends/family in Abu Dhabi, accommodation is cheaper in Doha (3/4 bed villas in a compound can be had from 11000QR/month depending on the area and facilities you're after - which I don't think is the case in AUD). Petrol is also cheaper here (0.8 QR/litre for the normal stuff and 1QR/litre for super) - I'd say traffic and parking is also marginally better and overall I'm pretty happy here.
Car market is small here so prices are higher than UAE and selection of used cars is also lower (unless you're after a Corolla/Camry/Prado/Land Cruiser). I set out to buy used but ended up buying new simply because I couldn't find what I wanted in the used market
One thing you should be aware of that I wasn't when I moved here is the fact that expats still need an exit permit to leave the country (although multiple exit permits are available but different companies have different policies on who is allowed to have these - mine wouldn't originally give me one but have done so now).
If you have any more questions feel free to PM me if you don't want to post them publicly here.
Car market is small here so prices are higher than UAE and selection of used cars is also lower (unless you're after a Corolla/Camry/Prado/Land Cruiser). I set out to buy used but ended up buying new simply because I couldn't find what I wanted in the used market
One thing you should be aware of that I wasn't when I moved here is the fact that expats still need an exit permit to leave the country (although multiple exit permits are available but different companies have different policies on who is allowed to have these - mine wouldn't originally give me one but have done so now).
If you have any more questions feel free to PM me if you don't want to post them publicly here.
I lived in Dubai for a bit, now in Qatar, im 26, came out here single and can say, there are plenty of hot available girls here, you just need to be in the right age band and know where to go. I love it here, but it is a place where you get out of it what you put in. The expat community is also quite small, it seems everyone knows everyone by proxy at least, which is great for making friends.
Been in Doha 5 1/2 years now and quite happy not to go anywhere else for a while. It's improved hugely in that time in all ways. The only constant are the fkwits in land cruisers still populating the roads. There's much more to do now and getting around is better than any of the cities in the UK I visit.
In comparison with Abu Dhabi, it's still got a smaller town mentality. I like Abu Dhabi and i'd be hard pressed to choose between the two, but to me, both are much better than Dubai. Dubai is great for a weekend on the lash but i'm always glad to get away from it.
It's true that Doha is a bit like a village, you would only need at most 2 or 3 degrees of separation here to know everybody else. That's not all bad depending on what you're up to!
cheers,
ETA, Mattt, take the T350 with you :-)
In comparison with Abu Dhabi, it's still got a smaller town mentality. I like Abu Dhabi and i'd be hard pressed to choose between the two, but to me, both are much better than Dubai. Dubai is great for a weekend on the lash but i'm always glad to get away from it.
It's true that Doha is a bit like a village, you would only need at most 2 or 3 degrees of separation here to know everybody else. That's not all bad depending on what you're up to!
cheers,
ETA, Mattt, take the T350 with you :-)
Edited by C997 on Tuesday 5th July 10:06
Haha, I believe the airport is always open! There is a huge age gap between the professional makes here and the girls from Qatar Airways (and other service related industries that the hotties occupy)...and alot of the local nationalities slime all over them so see'ing an honest (in appearance only, i promise) fella who is western and knows how to respect a woman, in the right age bracket, really puts you in the game. I'll be honest, I am punching well above my weight here, and I love it 
Mattt said:
Interview at the weekend, will see how things go but sounds decent.
It will be Doha, rather than some remote sandpit, which is handy.
Is it typically 5.5 days a week there?
In construction 6 days is normal, i do 5 days, but longer hours so it works out the same, i do a minimum of 49 hours a week.It will be Doha, rather than some remote sandpit, which is handy.
Is it typically 5.5 days a week there?
If you do come out here I'd say be prepared for a hard first couple of months until you get your Residents Permit, alot find it hard to adjust to a new place with nowhere to call home. Similarly around 6 months people usually have a month of hating Qatar and many go home, those who stick about for another month or 2 usually recognise it was just homesickness and get over it and begin to like it here.
Well things seem to be progressing well, the guys in Qatar are happy - just needs to go back to central HR now.
It is 6 days a week, which is a shame - but I'm sure there's ways & means.
With regards to housing & car, they say they will sort - but will probably try to arrange or agree an adequate level before I sign, as I know what can happen - you can end up in a shed with a Nissan Tiida.
It is 6 days a week, which is a shame - but I'm sure there's ways & means.
With regards to housing & car, they say they will sort - but will probably try to arrange or agree an adequate level before I sign, as I know what can happen - you can end up in a shed with a Nissan Tiida.
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