Moving to Doha
Discussion
Hi Guys. I've accepted a job in Doha and assuming my visa comes through in time, should be moving over next month. I was just wondering if anyone could recommend a shipping company (or indeed one to avoid if your experience wasn't good). I'm not taking any furniture with me, just personal possessions (books, some electronic items, decorations, clothes etc).
K666ADM said:
Crown are pretty decent and are based in doha.
Take no notice of the Dubai people slating Doha; they are jealous of the debt free land of plenty. You'll like it here; life is good.
I've never really heard anyone slating Doha, either on here or in real life. Take no notice of the Dubai people slating Doha; they are jealous of the debt free land of plenty. You'll like it here; life is good.
I do have a couple of mates who live there though and they say it is quite oppressive - there are only what, eight or so bars and a couple of nightclubs, all of which you need to be a member of to get in. I've also heard that it's more than a bit cock heavy, and that if you're a young man lucky enough to meet a girl you'll struggle to take her anywhere as the building doormen are under strict instructions to report any unmarried couples together in an apartment after midnight.
These comments came first hand from a Belgian guy I know who's lived there for the past year after living in Dubai for two so I guess his views are pretty relevant.
Hitch78 said:
K666ADM said:
Crown are pretty decent and are based in doha.
Take no notice of the Dubai people slating Doha; they are You'll like it here; life is good.
I've never really heard anyone slating Doha, either on here or in real life. Take no notice of the Dubai people slating Doha; they are You'll like it here; life is good.
I do have a couple of mates who live there though and they say it is quite oppressive - there are only what, eight or so bars and a couple of nightclubs, all of which you need to be a member of to get in. I've also heard that it's more than a bit cock heavy, and that if you're a young man lucky enough to meet a girl you'll struggle to take her anywhere as the building doormen are under strict instructions to report any unmarried couples together in an apartment after midnight.
These comments came first hand from a Belgian guy I know who's lived there for the past year after living in Dubai for two so I guess his views are pretty relevant.
K666...Did you forget to add a smiley to your earlier post?!
I've been here for 3 years, first year of being out here did a lot of Dubai trips for weekends but over the last couple of years Doha has pushed on; more good bars are here and its not the OTT and in-yer-face of Dubai. As for the ladies ratio its certainly getting better and I dont mean the 'ladies of the night' in some bars, its pretty easy going here - we dont have the sex on the beach like dubai but were certainly no Saudi. Dubai has gone a bit too Essex for my liking; burberry and bling. Not judging, just not my taste.
K666ADM said:
I've been here for 3 years, first year of being out here did a lot of Dubai trips for weekends but over the last couple of years Doha has pushed on; more good bars are here and its not the OTT and in-yer-face of Dubai. As for the ladies ratio its certainly getting better and I dont mean the 'ladies of the night' in some bars, its pretty easy going here - we dont have the sex on the beach like dubai but were certainly no Saudi. Dubai has gone a bit too Essex for my liking; burberry and bling. Not judging, just not my taste.
Yeah, I see your point. I'm still fairly new here, but maybe after a year or so it might get on my nerves. Love it at the moment though!K666ADM said:
I've been here for 3 years, first year of being out here did a lot of Dubai trips for weekends but over the last couple of years Doha has pushed on; more good bars are here and its not the OTT and in-yer-face of Dubai. As for the ladies ratio its certainly getting better and I dont mean the 'ladies of the night' in some bars, its pretty easy going here - we dont have the sex on the beach like dubai but were certainly no Saudi. Dubai has gone a bit too Essex for my liking; burberry and bling. Not judging, just not my taste.
I still don't buy it, from what I have been told it is getting better but is still on the opressive side of the spectrum, though I can see how some people may see Dubai as having gone too far. Having been here a year my view is that Dubai can be as bling or as normal as you like, just like any other big city in the world. I tend towards normality most of the time and haven't really met anyone who is any different. It's nice to do something special once in a while such as go to a nice hotel for a weekend or a brunch or a ridiculous restaurant, but again I would have done that in the UK.
I can see how people change though, especially in the past when money was easy; a couple of people I know who were here in the halcyon days of largess carry off the Dubai Dave and Jumeirah Jane house/cars/staff/golf clubs act to a tee.
Please let it be known that if I start obsessing about the latest Prada catsuit on here and if you see me falling out of a two-tone Lorinser CL63 on my way to the Cavalli Club please direct me towards Doha!
Getting back to the OP - I'd chose Doha over blighty for sure at the moment. It might not be as easy a place to live as Dubai but as everyone has said it is getting better and they have big plans. Good luck, and happy reading!
Thanks for the comments guys. FWIW, I'm married and hoping to start a family soon so nightlife isn't really my biggest concern about moving to Doha. Having been to Dubai, it's not really to my taste. Abu Dhabi or Bahrain would have been perfect but but Doha is OK based on what I've heard and plus my wife has a good friend there so it should make the transition a bit easier for her.
Any PHers fancy meeting up for a drink when I get there? Assuming my visa comes through without any problems I should be there next month.
Any PHers fancy meeting up for a drink when I get there? Assuming my visa comes through without any problems I should be there next month.
Bahrain would be nice, especially in middle of march and the F1 kick off. Also like going to Oman for a weekend, the pace and scenery is nice and the diving is good.
Doha aint so bad, once your here give me a shout if you want a drive around - will try to put a little tour together to help you get settled.
I'm not sure what people find oppressive about Doha but i dont find it that way. Been here for four years now and done Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman etc and there's not really a lot of difference. If i had my choice of them all, I'd live in Abu Dhabi but that's just me. Abu Dhabi seemed to have the best balance of everything.
Ok, we have to show our residents permit to get into a bar here but you have to do that in places in the US and it's hardly oppressive!
cheers,
ss
Ok, we have to show our residents permit to get into a bar here but you have to do that in places in the US and it's hardly oppressive!
cheers,
ss
Now I'll show my age.....
....in the bad old days there were no bars. Then 1 secretly opened in the Sheraton, that required a special invite from the hotel manager. This was when the only building in the whole of west bay was the Sheraton!
But by god the booze was cheap that you bought with your liquor license! When I moved from Umm Said to the Ramada in Doha had to make special arrangements to have all of the booze I'd stockpiled moved through the hotel up to my room.
....in the bad old days there were no bars. Then 1 secretly opened in the Sheraton, that required a special invite from the hotel manager. This was when the only building in the whole of west bay was the Sheraton!
But by god the booze was cheap that you bought with your liquor license! When I moved from Umm Said to the Ramada in Doha had to make special arrangements to have all of the booze I'd stockpiled moved through the hotel up to my room.
I know this thread is 14 years old but any updates or thoughts on a move to Doha? If any of the old contributers to this thread fancy commenting on how it has changed since 2010? The difference between UAE/Abu Dhabi/Dubai narrowed? Also, on a slightly different note, doesnt seem to be much of a car scene in Doha 
I was there for the World Cup and have done a few business meetings. With all of the World Cup infrastructure it seemed a nice blend of modern and old world. It feels a bit more modern, western and lively than Muscat but obviously a fraction of Dubai.
There were plenty of bars and there were lots of girls aroubs the World Cup but they were all of the professional variety.
There were plenty of bars and there were lots of girls aroubs the World Cup but they were all of the professional variety.
Edited by muscatdxb on Monday 9th September 08:06
muscatdxb said:
I was there for the World Cup and have done a few business meetings. With all of the World Cup infrastructure it seemed a nice blend of modern and old world. It feels a bit more modern, western and lively than Muscat but obviously a fraction of Dubai.
There were plenty of bars and there were lots of girls aroubs the World Cup but they were all of the professional variety.
thanks very much - that is quite interesting....I like the nice blend between modern & old world. There were plenty of bars and there were lots of girls aroubs the World Cup but they were all of the professional variety.
Edited by muscatdxb on Monday 9th September 08:06
I did wonder if there is a car scene there? everyone seems to be very practical & economical..... pointing to the reliability of Japanese cars
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