QR New Joiners - Accomodation

[Flyboy41]

Hi there,

Any new joiners at QR can post feedback regarding Accomodation in Doha. Were you guys or gals, given company housing or you had to find your own place eventually. What's the norm now. Appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

[320goat]

Although not particularly recent, we were told earlier this year we had to leave company accommodation. Those that stayed ignoring all the emails to vacate finally ended up being left alone. Those that left are very much out of pocket as rents far outweigh the allowance you are given. Saying that, if you are a family of four or five living in one of those dark and soulless apartments on the ground floor of AKG then maybe QR60,000 a year extra out of your income is worth it.

I would wait to see if your applications to the other airlines in the ME work out before coming here!

320goat

[Flyboy41]

Thanks 320.
Most new joiners tend to grab company housing if available as the housing stipend is not enough to cater for the ever increasing rents.

[320goat]

Absolutely, but the point is the company housing department makes you feel like you don't have a choice with emails along the lines of 'this is your final extension'. People need to know you can ignore them if you wish because once you are out of company accommodation you can't get back in, at least I am finding it nigh on impossible. When I point out you threw me out and show them the emails they sent me they shrug their shoulders and say "what to do...."

Logical and reasonable argument out here is an absolute waste of your breath.

[Chocks Away]

Didn't QR purchase one of the huge Accom Towers at the Pearl, a month or two ago? It's what I heard when there.

[foswillruletheworld]

as far as I have heard from several sources the accomodation allowance for Fo is 13,000QAR and for captain 15,000QAR.
But what i am wonderin is; people keep complaining that money is not enough for a decent apartment which i agree. However just with adding 2-3000QAR you can find really nice places in the pearl area. Or that is what i could see from dubizzle. ı don't mean any disrespect to anyone but isn't this a little odd? In my home country what i pay for rent is 4000QAR. And just with adding that amount i can live in a really beautiful place in Doha. Please correct me if i am wrong.

[AQIS Boigu]

As an expat accommodation has to be paid for - it's that simple. Topping up your rent with your own money is silly.

Don't do what you would normally do at home...why? Because you are NOT at home.

[gatbusdriver]

OK

Wrong.

Although I will allow for the fact that maybe our definition of acceptable/really nice may be way off the mark!

Regards

[mmorel]

there are a lot of expat working in IT industries in United states and they do not get any housing allowances.you should be lucky that they are giving you housing allowances.

[casablanca]

I look at it both ways...yes before in my country I paid money but it was also an investment, here it is being thrown away.......
Before my family enjoyed where we lived and the community much more.
Bottom line though we signed a contract, and the housing is part of it, so every year if the rent and everything else increases by 10% it is like a 5% pay cut.
It is better now with the housing increment increasing and there are descent places available even in the Pearl, as long as you don't need more than a 2 bedroom....shop around for a 4 bedroom!

[Flytdeck]

Unless your family arrives with you, do NOT rush into renting and apartment/villa. Others know better as to the status of company accommodation, but if this is not available, consider renting a furnished place month to month at one of the less "elegant" locations (use the Ezdan as an example. It is a place to stay, NOT to live). This will give you a chance to get a vehicle, look around, ask questions of those who live here, and get your resident permit in order. You might even wish to stay until you finish training as the month to month places normally include cleaning and linen/bedding changes.

There is a wide range of places available at all prices. Give yourself an opportunity to find out what location is acceptable (it differs depending on your fleet), what features are important, and which developments are well managed. If you are with a family, distance to school is very important (as is getting on top of their applications immediately).

If you can, take your time after you arrive and find a place that suits you and your family. It will make a BIG difference to your long-term well being.

[eduelp]

EDIT: wrong thread

[320goat]

Very sensible Flytdeck.

The fact of the matter is you come out here based on the package you were offered. You need to be rewarded for bringing your family out here!

When you are told there is no company accommodation available you expect to be given enough money to rent something similar to the company allocated villas. Well try and find a suitable 4 bed villa in Doha for QR12,000!! Now I think it is great that they have out up the housing allowance, but the fact is you will still struggle to find something suitable for QR15,000. Consider a 4 bed villa on AKG which is used as company accommodation. I would have to pay in the region of QR20,000 per month to rent that. All I ask for is a level playing field ( of course I don't ask for it or expect it as that would be banging my head against a brick wall).

I am, however, left in the situation of having to pay QR60,000 a year more than someone lucky enough to have a company villa (admittedly that has just been reduced but let's see what the rent is at renewal!)

All the best to anyone coming out.

[enthusiast]

I was told that company accommodation won't be available for a while. And rent is still soaring. So we could think of buying a property in some areas including the pearl, west bay lagoon, Al Dafna, Salata, etc. opened to expatriates. A newspaper said that many expats prefer to put their housing allowances towards a mortgage rather to spend it on renting residence. It seems like a good idea to build assets in this circumstance. If this isn't a bad idea, which is more recommended between freehold and leasehold? Anybody bought a house in Doha would shed light on the new challenge in the new hometown? Thanks in advance.

enthusiast

[Stone_cold]

Ever heard of the Latin American F/O who was stuck in Qatar for a year , bumming around with friends , after he was fired ? He had a mortgage on an apartment , building equity :8 . In case you don't know , when a bank here loans you money to purchase a car , house etc ., if things go bad , they want the money back, not the asset .So buyer beware ! The bank can also lock you in the country as you need their clearance also to leave that wonderful region after you separate from your employer .

[enthusiast]

Stone_cold,

So as a result of your advice, I should consider borrowing from the bank in my country then invest in it to eliminate the potential issue. Your input is highly appreciated.

Yours sincerely,

enthusiast

[ManaAdaSistem]

Yes, that is correct. Buying is not a bad idea, but borrowing from a local bank is.
When it comes to housing allowance. You do want to have a nice place to live, and if it means adding some from your salary it is still a good investment in your familys quality of life.
For some strange reason, most people look for villas in ME, but a nice apartment with a pool and other extras in a good location is a very good option.

Villas are often nothing more than linked houses anyway.

[Che Xindamail]

I agree that you can find very nice apartments that will be within the allowance. Check out Qanat Quartier in The Pearl. Brand new low rise apartment blocks, no pool but private beaches and lower rents than the high rise blocks.

www.propertyfinder.qa

[Flytdeck]

Some much better rental prices at Qanat but (this is second hand info) there are quite a few problems in this development. People have been leaving due to noise (watercraft in the canals), build quality (mold, leaking pipes. electrical problems) and odour. There are no facilities and at the moment, no safe way to cross the road to Porto Arabia or Medina Centrale.

Goat: Empathise with your position as I started in exactly the same fix. Company accommodation promised, but on arrival given a very short stay in a hotel then out on the street. We stayed in temporary quarters and eventually found satisfactory accommodation, but it was not a villa. We purchased furniture, we pay utilities, AND the rent (until recently) was more than our allowance. The compromise is satisfactory as we live here so made this a home rather than a "place to stay".

Finding a place to stay in Doha is not a problem. The problem is finding a satisfactory place to live while remaining close to the allowance. Single people have a lot of "sharing" opportunities at a furnished/serviced apartment that will remain within the budget. Couples and families have more of a challenge but it is manageable. Take your time to look around once you are here and have secured information and transportation, preferably with your partner. Location, facilities, price, and budget must be placed in priority depending on your circumstances.

Expect no assistance from Qatar Airways in this endeavour other than some suggestions for temporary quarters. If they DO present you with company quarters, grab it. This will present the best opportunity to settle in and explore other options OR, stay where you are.

[Rock320]

do u start getting the accomodation and education allowance as soon as u join or after training?

[kimny002]

I am not working at QR, but just have been at the interview on 23 APR. They told Housing allowance for FO is now 12000 QR.

[320goat]

QR13,000 and QR15,000 for captains.

[Eric Janson]

enthusiast

As an outsider I offer the following advice.

There is Investing and there is Speculating. It is important that that you understand the difference.

1. Buying property in any ME country is Speculating.

2. Never buy property in a location where you have no rights.

[enthusiast]

Eric Janson,

Thank you very much for your advice.

enthusiast

[enthusiast]

Unfortunately rent was incresed once housing allowance was raised. Is QR still offering only one option for new joiners to rent property instead of providing company accommodations?

[Ansett737]

Absolutely right! Expat job is unsecured! Better to rent to avoid headache in case of signing off!