Cost of living in Doha

Hello everyone

I'm am new to the group (and to blog's in general). I've been reading a lot of comments today and I'm hoping that everyone can offer some assistance.

I am in the same boat as ctrmom. I may have an opportunity to work in Doha and my finace and I are trying to decide if it's something we should do.

The big questions are:
- Cost of living? I too am from Southern California and I'm trying to figure out the financial impact moving to Doha may have.
- Safety? My fiance and I are getting married in April 2006. I may move to Doha before the wedding and return to the U.S. to get married. Then the two of us will move back to Doha together. How will my finace do as an American female living in Qatar? Will she be able to work? Should we be concerned for her/our safety?
- What can I expect to pay monthly (In USD $$$) for an apartment, food, etc.?

Hopefully ctrmom and I can find similar help from everyone that others have been able to find.

Ctrmom - Let's share information that we find and maybe we can help each other along with the help from the "community".

Thank you in advance to everyone. I feel fortunate to have found this group and I hope that we can find some useful answers to help make a decision.

Thanks again!
Pharkus

Hey there Parkus!!

I think that is a great idea to share info. So far I have found that apartments appear to be the same cost as So Cal.(around $1000 to $1500 United States Dollars, I think, and could be wrong). Of course it is always relative to what you are willing to put up with and experience (location). As I find out more info. I will let you know.

I understand that it is a very safe country and relatively easy for western women, meaning that as long as your arms are covered and you are pretty modest you are fine. Women can drive I understand so that is good. Is your fiance planning on working? For myself I am a homemaker, but I hesitate to say that because I do so much volunteer work, including running an organization, that I would be bored out of my mind if I did not get a job or get very involved in Doha while there.

How long will you be living there? We would be there four years.

So far, all the info. I have read from people on other sites has been very positive and people love living there. See the site: virtualtourist.com it is really great and you can look up people that have been to various countries and also people that live there. I have found it very helpful in the past. I have now e-mailed several people with questions on Qatar. I don't know how to have you e-mail me except put my e-mail out on this comment section so here you go: meredithrichey/-a-t-/hotmail.com

Is your fiance adventuresome? My experience in travelling abroad and speaking to people there is that if you are a flexable person you will have a great time but if you are too worried about cultural changes then you may want to rethink it. My husband and I, while conservative in values, are very open to other cultures. We have had two exchange students live with us for a year each twice. Our kids now grown have lived in Philippines and Taiwan, now one is in Korea. My husband just returned from Iraq.

Thanks for responding!

Thanks Aisha,

I will contact you.

Good Morning Girls,

Nice to see some southern Californians coming to Qatar! Are you from San Diego? A nice flat in Coronado would cost as much as a flat here in Doha.

Doha is fairly safe, crime is low. You might find that walking around unaccompanied is very unconfortable, but nevertheless dangerous. Men often follow you, insist to talk to you, that kind of thing. I don't cover my arms (unless it's cold), a cold attitude to strangers and sense of humour to myself gets me by.

As Aisha says, you can walk in the Corniche and Parks, but it is imposible to walk around Doha. Pretty much like in USA, you have to take the car to go almost everywhere. Not because distances are long (they're not) but because you cannot cross the road without risking your life! Unlike Europe, and very much like in USA, enterteinment and shopping revolves into malls.

I guess you can live confortably in Doha with a monthly income of three to four thousand dollars. Less than that, you'll find life quite rough.

I cannot advice on employment cause I've never worked in Doha -came here when I was pregnant and have been in Doha for less than a year-
So, good luck if you decide to come. Personally I do not enjoy life in Doha and cannot wait to go elsewhere, but it is always good to experience different cultures. I find that the ones who enjoy life in Doha is because they like a "retired" lifestyle, and the ones that have plenty of money to join exclusive clubs.

Heyyy. sorry My account wasnt active.Now it is.

First, my name is not Alisha :) It's Aisha :) It means "alife".Didn't you hear Stevie Wonders song about his doughter, Aisha? Isnt she lovely, Life and Love are the same, Life is Aisha , The meaning of her name ;-)

you will get to know plenty of Aishas in Qatar :-)

Any way,aboutThe ediocatonal city, yes it's by Qatar Foundation

This link might be helpfull for you
Link Text

Butterflyyy, Maybe you walk at a time when the teens are set free lol, like the nights in the weekends.I'm terribly sorry for that kind of irrisponsible attitudes you are facing.Take care.

Hey hey hey, Johny Bravo,

It is not a first one! Are you being sarcastic?...

As a matter of fact, I will prove that I'm not making that up by refering to the LONELY PLANET guide to Bahrain Kuwait and Qatar, 2000 edition. Page 47. It reads:

"Travel in the Gulf poses a special set of problems for women -especially unaccompanied women" "Unaccompanied women will routinelly be stared at and will often have lewd comments directed at them. They may be followed and may find strange and unwanted visitors turning up outside their hotel rooms" "If a person or a situation is becoming troublesome head for a busy place, preferably where a lot of other foreigners and a few policemen are gathered (a shopping mall or the lobby of a big hotel"

See, I am not the only one who says that men follow. If it appears in a travel guide is for a reason...

Hi ctrmom

It looks as if we will be in Doha for about a year starting in mid to late Febrauary 06'.

Don't have a lot of other details as of yet. However, I was able to confirm what you originally thought regarding housing. A contact of mine told me that he and his wife have a 2 br 2 bth, fully furnished apartment with all kitchen needs and all utilities paid for about $1700 USD/month. Considering that it is fully furnished and all utilities are paid, that seems like a pretty good deal. But, like you said, that is all relative to each individuals situation.

I will try and e-mail you and we can "chat" more.

Talk to you soon.

Pharkus

Well I wanna have my 2 cents...

When women wears a hijab in america or europe everyone stares at them...

When you go around town half naked in a muslim country I am sorry everyone will stare at you...

So both way I think its not something too bad, there people are not used to hijab here people are not used to too much openness.

Hi Deni,

There are several real estate companies here in Doha where she can join them but she need to know the city and get a driving license first, also she should know that the attitude here is different.

Welcome to Qatar,

Ayman

Hi Deni,

You will just need to apply in the traffic department for a driving license and maybe if you are lucky you will get it without a test if you show them your european license.

With the international driving license you can drive for 6 months.

Ayman

"I will prefer 2 bedroom with at least one and half bath." QR 7500-8500 :) 

i goy a job in Qatar for QR 4500 and with a bachelor accomodation by company for post of Purchase officer, can i Call my wife after 2 months she is software engineer in India , Will it be easy for her to get a job in Doha- Qatar.How much can i save with this 4500 Qr and how is work culture in Doha

never mind I found another website that gave me the answer- thank you