moving to QATAR
Join Date: Jun 2005
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I already saw an article in the newspaper,indeed some "conservatives" are complaining that pork is sold in a muslim country.
well i guess when they will realise that they can make good business out of it(like the liquor shop), they will keep quiet...
well i guess when they will realise that they can make good business out of it(like the liquor shop), they will keep quiet...
Join Date: Sep 2009
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cbern your wife and daughters will not be treated here as they would be in KSA. No need to cover up with black abayas. Normal clothing is fine in public. Bikinis and mixed bathing permitted. Your wife could also get a driving licence.
The girls may not have so much fun as they could have elsewhere in the Gulf - they won't be allowed to drink in bars for example until they are 21. ID is checked - thoroughly. Not so many places to go or things to do...
But there are many expat families who are quite happy here. It aint the best place in the world but there are many worse.
The girls may not have so much fun as they could have elsewhere in the Gulf - they won't be allowed to drink in bars for example until they are 21. ID is checked - thoroughly. Not so many places to go or things to do...
But there are many expat families who are quite happy here. It aint the best place in the world but there are many worse.
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Well, you need a liquor licence to get into the booze shop and if you have a liquor licence then you don't need an extra "pork" licence. But if you don't have a liquor licence then you need to get one if you wanna buy pork!
Obviously you have to control this dangerous pork eating business, or there'd be thousands of "Pork Junkies" roaming the streets spaced out on scratchings.
Also there is gonna be a pork shop at the outlet on the pearl sometime soon.
Something perverse in me wishes that I had a card that said "Bond, James Bond - Licenced to carry pork".
A funny conversation overheard in QDC.....(to a local pushing a trolley fill of Jim Beam and 5 cases of Stella)
"So did you manage to get any pork then today?"
"Of course not....I'm a Muslim".....(looks horrified as he pushes off his trolley load of Jim Beam and Beer)
Obviously you have to control this dangerous pork eating business, or there'd be thousands of "Pork Junkies" roaming the streets spaced out on scratchings.
Also there is gonna be a pork shop at the outlet on the pearl sometime soon.
Something perverse in me wishes that I had a card that said "Bond, James Bond - Licenced to carry pork".
A funny conversation overheard in QDC.....(to a local pushing a trolley fill of Jim Beam and 5 cases of Stella)
"So did you manage to get any pork then today?"
"Of course not....I'm a Muslim".....(looks horrified as he pushes off his trolley load of Jim Beam and Beer)
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Yesterday's offerings in the QDC Pork Shop - frozen, unsmoked, Danish back bacon + frozen Linconshire sausages (which list water as the 2nd ingredient in the contents.) That's all, folks.
Not worth the drive out there.
Salami is 'promised' for today, insha'allah. I asked about the possibility of fresh pork? Answer came there none.
What little they have is however pretty cheap.
Good news to residents of the Pearl & West Bay - the Carrefour Express in Lagoona (between the Zig-Zag Towers) is open. And very nice it is too. But like all Middle East Carrefours a pork-free zone.
Not worth the drive out there.
Salami is 'promised' for today, insha'allah. I asked about the possibility of fresh pork? Answer came there none.
What little they have is however pretty cheap.Good news to residents of the Pearl & West Bay - the Carrefour Express in Lagoona (between the Zig-Zag Towers) is open. And very nice it is too. But like all Middle East Carrefours a pork-free zone.
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Hi guys, just a few questions about accomodation:
Where would be the area of my company provided appartment?
May I refuse this and have housing allowance to rent by myself? (Similar to EK)
May I buy an appartment?
Where would be the area of my company provided appartment?
May I refuse this and have housing allowance to rent by myself? (Similar to EK)
May I buy an appartment?
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Buying in Qatar
Axum I can only answer your last question. Yes - on the Pearl.
More here The Pearl - Qatar
I just live there - I'm not saying buying property in Doha would be a good idea.
As the largest urban development project in Qatar, covering 985 acres and as the state's first development to offer freehold to non-Qataris, a world of opportunities is available for both individual and corporate investors. Residents have been moving in since the fall of 2009. At full build out, there will be approximately 41,000 residents living at the Pearl-Qatar, along with guests and visitors at the five star hotels and retail shops.
I just live there - I'm not saying buying property in Doha would be a good idea.
Join Date: Jan 2009
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I initially thought it was a good investment on arriving in Qatar but think again.
My strong advice: Please, please, please don't buy any property in Qatar. Ever. Especially the pearl. Why? Let's look at the pro's and cons.....
I hope this helps you to make an informed decision.....
Pros:
1) Can drink in the restaurants (same as if you just drove there).
2) Pork and booze shop coming.
3) Nice area of town.
Cons:
1) Quality is really bad.
2) Hard/ impossible to re-sell.
3) It's way overpriced.
4) The cooling bills are a mess and a nightmare. Astronomical.
5) It's not freehold - it's all on a 99 year lease. (It's in the small print in Arabic - it refers you to some appendix xxx, sub chapter yyy, of law zzz - Believe me, this is true - confirmed by Local Lawyer) but as it's written in Arabic, 99% of people don't know about that, or worse, if they have bought there - deny it to perpetrate the myth (for resale reasons
)
6) The law is always against you. Always in favour of the local freeholder.
7) No properly defined Property laws / precidents. Full of holes.
8) Unless you buy in cash then you have to take a mortgage and the 6% interest they quote you will be more like 10% when you use a western calculator!
9) If you lose your job and default on the mortgage, you can't leave the country till its paid off. They cancel your RP and (multi) exit visa, as you no longer have a sponsor you can't get a job, as you don't have an RP. So you can't pay. Or leave.
10) Regarding the above, obviously you have to pay insurance to the lender against defaulting on the payments. If you default, though somehow it's never covered!
11) You have to start making loan repayments from a set date EVEN if it isn't built or inhabitable for 2-3 years later. So you may have to pay rent AND a mortgage on 2 places simultaneously when you can't even live in it. Or sell it, as who's gonna pay a mortgage on a place you can't live in yet?
12) If you want to leave in an emergency (or just leave), you can't sell for less than the developer is selling units for in that tower, whilst he has units left to sell. i.e. you can't undercut the good old local. Also, they like to keep a property or 10 empty and on sale at a high price to try and keep prices artificially high.
13) There are plenty of places empty on the pearl, as the locals want high rent, and so do the expats that bought (although eventually they realise that they have to accept much less or get nothing - the expats that is.) the locals don't care, they just leave them empty, money isn't a factor. Most of the locals would rather wait with it empty for 2 years to get 15,000QR per month for an apartment than drop the price to 10,000QR and have it fully occupied for 2 years. They have no financial common sense. For them this is better, as they are getting a "higher rent" and not loosing face by reducing the rent.
14) Quite a few construction companies went bust, so those towers won't get built - will people get their deposits or payments back? Can you guess the answer to that?
If you can accept all this risks then go for it.
Personally, I wouldn't touch it with yours!
My strong advice: Please, please, please don't buy any property in Qatar. Ever. Especially the pearl. Why? Let's look at the pro's and cons.....
I hope this helps you to make an informed decision.....
Pros:
1) Can drink in the restaurants (same as if you just drove there).
2) Pork and booze shop coming.
3) Nice area of town.
Cons:
1) Quality is really bad.
2) Hard/ impossible to re-sell.
3) It's way overpriced.
4) The cooling bills are a mess and a nightmare. Astronomical.
5) It's not freehold - it's all on a 99 year lease. (It's in the small print in Arabic - it refers you to some appendix xxx, sub chapter yyy, of law zzz - Believe me, this is true - confirmed by Local Lawyer) but as it's written in Arabic, 99% of people don't know about that, or worse, if they have bought there - deny it to perpetrate the myth (for resale reasons
)6) The law is always against you. Always in favour of the local freeholder.
7) No properly defined Property laws / precidents. Full of holes.
8) Unless you buy in cash then you have to take a mortgage and the 6% interest they quote you will be more like 10% when you use a western calculator!
9) If you lose your job and default on the mortgage, you can't leave the country till its paid off. They cancel your RP and (multi) exit visa, as you no longer have a sponsor you can't get a job, as you don't have an RP. So you can't pay. Or leave.
10) Regarding the above, obviously you have to pay insurance to the lender against defaulting on the payments. If you default, though somehow it's never covered!
11) You have to start making loan repayments from a set date EVEN if it isn't built or inhabitable for 2-3 years later. So you may have to pay rent AND a mortgage on 2 places simultaneously when you can't even live in it. Or sell it, as who's gonna pay a mortgage on a place you can't live in yet?
12) If you want to leave in an emergency (or just leave), you can't sell for less than the developer is selling units for in that tower, whilst he has units left to sell. i.e. you can't undercut the good old local. Also, they like to keep a property or 10 empty and on sale at a high price to try and keep prices artificially high.
13) There are plenty of places empty on the pearl, as the locals want high rent, and so do the expats that bought (although eventually they realise that they have to accept much less or get nothing - the expats that is.) the locals don't care, they just leave them empty, money isn't a factor. Most of the locals would rather wait with it empty for 2 years to get 15,000QR per month for an apartment than drop the price to 10,000QR and have it fully occupied for 2 years. They have no financial common sense. For them this is better, as they are getting a "higher rent" and not loosing face by reducing the rent.
14) Quite a few construction companies went bust, so those towers won't get built - will people get their deposits or payments back? Can you guess the answer to that?
If you can accept all this risks then go for it.
Personally, I wouldn't touch it with yours!
Join Date: Jan 2009
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Not sure there is anywhere else you can buy yet. Well not genuine freehold anyway. Lusail is promised in the near future but not built yet.
Good luck. Post back if you find anywhere that is freehold that you can buy. I'd be interested to hear if it can be confirmed as a genuine freehold. But I doubt it.
You will most likely have to rent an apartment or villa like the rest of us. Expect to pay between 8,000 - 15,000QR depending on location and quality. Which can vary in appearance but will still be thrown together by the same low skilled "Chimps". expect every water joint to be leaking when you move in, half the tiles to be chipped and cracked, scratches and dents on everything, 1/2 inch of sand throughout, the a/c not working and there to be only one or two electrical sockets in each room; Probably both really close to each other on the same wall If you only have half of these problems, you are doing really well.
Good luck.
Good luck. Post back if you find anywhere that is freehold that you can buy. I'd be interested to hear if it can be confirmed as a genuine freehold. But I doubt it.
You will most likely have to rent an apartment or villa like the rest of us. Expect to pay between 8,000 - 15,000QR depending on location and quality. Which can vary in appearance but will still be thrown together by the same low skilled "Chimps". expect every water joint to be leaking when you move in, half the tiles to be chipped and cracked, scratches and dents on everything, 1/2 inch of sand throughout, the a/c not working and there to be only one or two electrical sockets in each room; Probably both really close to each other on the same wall
If you only have half of these problems, you are doing really well.Good luck.
Join Date: Nov 2011
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phone call
Are there any Kiwi or Asssies working at QR that I can ring on the phone and have a chat with.
Thinking of making the move as Air NZ is not happening. I have a wife and 3 kids to consider and just want to have a chat to someone about stuff.
Cheers
Thinking of making the move as Air NZ is not happening. I have a wife and 3 kids to consider and just want to have a chat to someone about stuff.
Cheers
Join Date: May 2008
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Post back if you find anywhere that is freehold that you can buy.
Found this :
"GCC nationals may buy residential real estate anywhere in Qatar but they are not permitted to sell it in the first 4 years after purchase. They cannot take out a mortgage loan on the property unless it is in one of the areas designated for foreign investment i.e. the 18 leasehold areas or the 3 freehold areas.
Resident expatriates of all nationalities are entitled to buy freehold or leasehold property in the designated areas. "
Found this :
"GCC nationals may buy residential real estate anywhere in Qatar but they are not permitted to sell it in the first 4 years after purchase. They cannot take out a mortgage loan on the property unless it is in one of the areas designated for foreign investment i.e. the 18 leasehold areas or the 3 freehold areas.
Resident expatriates of all nationalities are entitled to buy freehold or leasehold property in the designated areas. "
Join Date: Jul 2010
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Answer me this???
If you could do your move over again what would you bring with you to Qatar?
What does it cost per month to rent a car until established?
Should I buy a phone in the US and bring it with me?
What is the best calling card or plan to secure both for relatives in the US and for me once I arrive?
I am single and a FO so if I am put in company provided housing will it be possible at some point to move out of this provided housing?
How are college classes? Do they exist? Or is everything on-line?
I understand that we are paid in local currency into a local bank account. How easy it to transfer money into my US bank account to pay stateside bills? Also what are the fees?
If you get married to someone from back in the US and you want to bring her over is this an easy task? If not what are the pitfalls? Other than getting married ;-)
I thank anyone with meaningful and insightful feedback.
What does it cost per month to rent a car until established?
Should I buy a phone in the US and bring it with me?
What is the best calling card or plan to secure both for relatives in the US and for me once I arrive?
I am single and a FO so if I am put in company provided housing will it be possible at some point to move out of this provided housing?
How are college classes? Do they exist? Or is everything on-line?
I understand that we are paid in local currency into a local bank account. How easy it to transfer money into my US bank account to pay stateside bills? Also what are the fees?
If you get married to someone from back in the US and you want to bring her over is this an easy task? If not what are the pitfalls? Other than getting married ;-)
I thank anyone with meaningful and insightful feedback.
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Doha
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If you could do your move over again what would you bring with you to Qatar?
Nothing, everything you need is here. Make sure you have a good laptop as you need one.
What does it cost per month to rent a car until established?
1750 Ryals a month which is about 500 dollars. I have been hiring for over a year now and see no reason to buy.
Should I buy a phone in the US and bring it with me?
Buy a phone when you get here and then buy a pay as you go sim card from Qtel when you arrive. Its easy and simple. You could call the US from it as well. Just make sure you have Skype on your laptop and at home for your bride to be and family to keep in touch
What is the best calling card or plan to secure both for relatives in the US and for me once I arrive?
See above
I am single and a FO so if I am put in company provided housing will it be possible at some point to move out of this provided housing?
You can apply for the allowance, but may take a while. You get it in order of who has asked and going down the list of whose next. You could move out to somewhere you want to be. Best advice, is do nothing for a year until you know if you want to stay long term. What's the rush.
How are college classes? Do they exist? Or is everything on-line?
Yes they exist, You can do CBT on your laptop in your own time or go to the classes rostered for you
I understand that we are paid in local currency into a local bank account. How easy it to transfer money into my US bank account to pay stateside bills? Also what are the fees?
I am with IBQ bank and get 2 free transfer a month. I have to pay recieving charges for my bank bank in my home country.
If you get married to someone from back in the US and you want to bring her over is this an easy task? If not what are the pitfalls? Other than getting married ;-)
Some love it here and some don't. You hear more from those that don't like it as all they do is moan and slag the place off. I would say more like it here than hate. My wife is very happy. You and your good lady will make lots of new friends and its a safe place to be. Best thing to do is get out here, get line checked then plan to get married and get your lady out here. Its very simple. Lots of wife's out here and most having a good time.
Anything else you need to know, just ask
Nothing, everything you need is here. Make sure you have a good laptop as you need one.
What does it cost per month to rent a car until established?
1750 Ryals a month which is about 500 dollars. I have been hiring for over a year now and see no reason to buy.
Should I buy a phone in the US and bring it with me?
Buy a phone when you get here and then buy a pay as you go sim card from Qtel when you arrive. Its easy and simple. You could call the US from it as well. Just make sure you have Skype on your laptop and at home for your bride to be and family to keep in touch
What is the best calling card or plan to secure both for relatives in the US and for me once I arrive?
See above
I am single and a FO so if I am put in company provided housing will it be possible at some point to move out of this provided housing?
You can apply for the allowance, but may take a while. You get it in order of who has asked and going down the list of whose next. You could move out to somewhere you want to be. Best advice, is do nothing for a year until you know if you want to stay long term. What's the rush.
How are college classes? Do they exist? Or is everything on-line?
Yes they exist, You can do CBT on your laptop in your own time or go to the classes rostered for you
I understand that we are paid in local currency into a local bank account. How easy it to transfer money into my US bank account to pay stateside bills? Also what are the fees?
I am with IBQ bank and get 2 free transfer a month. I have to pay recieving charges for my bank bank in my home country.
If you get married to someone from back in the US and you want to bring her over is this an easy task? If not what are the pitfalls? Other than getting married ;-)
Some love it here and some don't. You hear more from those that don't like it as all they do is moan and slag the place off. I would say more like it here than hate. My wife is very happy. You and your good lady will make lots of new friends and its a safe place to be. Best thing to do is get out here, get line checked then plan to get married and get your lady out here. Its very simple. Lots of wife's out here and most having a good time.
Anything else you need to know, just ask
Last edited by Black Pudding; 28th Dec 2011 at 14:25.
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What would the company accommodation be for a married new FO with 2 kids? Villa like Emirates or more of an Apartment? Or is just an allowance and you find your own? Does the company pay utilities? - Thanks
Join Date: Nov 2003
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Company accommodation can vary depending on what you are used to in your home country.
F/o's get apartments (usually 3 bed, but sometimes 2). Capt's get 3 or 4 bed Villas.
Utilities are paid for...upto 300 QAR a month. Personally I need about 400 QAR on average to pay all bills a month.
You can get out of Company Accom...but like has been said before...you go on a waiting list and......wait! At the moment I think people wait about 4 weeks to get the allowance...but this could increase to over a year.
Renting here is pretty easy, the places are big but not well looked after. Expect to get on your knees and scrub if you want a clean house....We found our grout was actually white...even the landlord didn't believe it!! Still..in my opinion getting your own place is a must, if you want to spend any time here.
F/o's get apartments (usually 3 bed, but sometimes 2). Capt's get 3 or 4 bed Villas.
Utilities are paid for...upto 300 QAR a month. Personally I need about 400 QAR on average to pay all bills a month.
You can get out of Company Accom...but like has been said before...you go on a waiting list and......wait! At the moment I think people wait about 4 weeks to get the allowance...but this could increase to over a year.
Renting here is pretty easy, the places are big but not well looked after. Expect to get on your knees and scrub if you want a clean house....We found our grout was actually white...even the landlord didn't believe it!! Still..in my opinion getting your own place is a must, if you want to spend any time here.
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Are fast track SO's also considered under this shared housing? If so at what point can a fast track get his own place. As I understand FO's get their own place according to standard1013.
Join Date: Apr 2011
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Guys, chill out. Second Officers share. Fast Track Second officers dont. This is how I see it and once you line check, everyone is a First Officer and as far as I know, get there own place. Training is very slow at the moment so I have not heard of any sharing still sharing as they are still in training and not line checked yet. Correct me if I am wrong.
Relax everyone, chill out.
Wear your hat, jacket and shoes when your suppose to and be stable by a 1500 feet, oh and dont drink the day before duty. How simple can this be.
Relax everyone, chill out.
Wear your hat, jacket and shoes when your suppose to and be stable by a 1500 feet, oh and dont drink the day before duty. How simple can this be.
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For information about Qatar laws etc use these links:
Qatar Government website:
Topics - Hukoomi - Qatar E-government
Australia smart traveller Qatar info:
Travel Advice for Qatar - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Qatar Government website:
Topics - Hukoomi - Qatar E-government
Australia smart traveller Qatar info:
Travel Advice for Qatar - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade