Living expenses in Doha
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Living expenses in Doha
Hi,
I'm thinking of joining the Qatar as a SO, and in doing my research, I've seen that the income is reasonable well documented, but I'm finding it difficult to gauge the expenses. If the cost of living is such that half of the salary is spent on food, it negates the move.
So, for a single person, what can one expect to spend on:
-utilities (electricity, water, telephone etc)
-food
-transportation (do most people own a car?)
-cable TV?
What's the cost of living over there? Cheap like Dallas, or expensive like New York?
Are there any other "hidden" costs that I'm not thinking about? Example, here in the US, the union takes a percentage of your income- but this is hardly ever mentioned.
I'm just trying to see how much money I can reasonably expect to save if I go there.
Thanks for the help.
I'm thinking of joining the Qatar as a SO, and in doing my research, I've seen that the income is reasonable well documented, but I'm finding it difficult to gauge the expenses. If the cost of living is such that half of the salary is spent on food, it negates the move.
So, for a single person, what can one expect to spend on:
-utilities (electricity, water, telephone etc)
-food
-transportation (do most people own a car?)
-cable TV?
What's the cost of living over there? Cheap like Dallas, or expensive like New York?
Are there any other "hidden" costs that I'm not thinking about? Example, here in the US, the union takes a percentage of your income- but this is hardly ever mentioned.
I'm just trying to see how much money I can reasonably expect to save if I go there.
Thanks for the help.
Join Date: Nov 2003
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Living expenses are pretty cheap here.
You'll probably not spend more than 2000 Qar a month on food.
Water and Elec depend on what property you are given or you rent. Company gives you 300 Qar a month which just about enough.
90% of people own cars. The Taxis are cheap but often hard to get hold of everytime you need them. Small 4x4, brand new costs about 90000 to 120000 Qar. 100% Loans are easy to get.
Total expenditure depends on what you like to do in your spare time, but if you are careful you shouldn't have to spend more than 6000 Qar a month on everything!! (except rent)
Hope this helps.
SSS
You'll probably not spend more than 2000 Qar a month on food.
Water and Elec depend on what property you are given or you rent. Company gives you 300 Qar a month which just about enough.
90% of people own cars. The Taxis are cheap but often hard to get hold of everytime you need them. Small 4x4, brand new costs about 90000 to 120000 Qar. 100% Loans are easy to get.
Total expenditure depends on what you like to do in your spare time, but if you are careful you shouldn't have to spend more than 6000 Qar a month on everything!! (except rent)
Hope this helps.
SSS
Join Date: Mar 2012
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Thanks the info Stop,Stop,Stop..
Would you be so kind to say what average prices would be for:
- A pint of milk
- Loaf of bread
- A decent meal
- A glass of wine when eating out (Not Jacobs Creek
)
- A pint / bottle of beer
I understand electronics are a bit pricey in Doha? By how much would you say? 10-30%?
I take it imported goods are generally going to be more expensive compared to Europe and the States.. If for example you paid £60 for a pair of Levi's in the UK, what would you pay in Doha?
Thanks
Cliff
Would you be so kind to say what average prices would be for:
- A pint of milk
- Loaf of bread
- A decent meal
- A glass of wine when eating out (Not Jacobs Creek
)- A pint / bottle of beer
I understand electronics are a bit pricey in Doha? By how much would you say? 10-30%?
I take it imported goods are generally going to be more expensive compared to Europe and the States.. If for example you paid £60 for a pair of Levi's in the UK, what would you pay in Doha?
Thanks
Cliff
Join Date: Jul 2010
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A pint of milk approx 5.5QR for long life (1ltr); 11QR for 2ltr fresh milk;
- Loaf of bread from 5QR to 9QR depending on what you want.
- A decent meal: DEPENDS on where you go. Subway: 20QR footlong; cheap local restaurants from 20QR to 100QR for a decent sized meal.
The one thing here is that you can find the cheap places or you can go to the hotel/convienient places and pay more? It depends on your motivation to go find them :-)
All in all, the place is relatively cheap for most things compared to say Australia/USA, but can be as expensive as you make it.
Alcohol / going out is expensive comparatively. Depends on where you get your thrills. Bottle of Johnny Walker Red is 140QR. But by it out per glas and its about 10 Euros a glass. Once again it depends on where you go. I heard this through others, I have not gone too much yet.
- Loaf of bread from 5QR to 9QR depending on what you want.
- A decent meal: DEPENDS on where you go. Subway: 20QR footlong; cheap local restaurants from 20QR to 100QR for a decent sized meal.
The one thing here is that you can find the cheap places or you can go to the hotel/convienient places and pay more? It depends on your motivation to go find them :-)
All in all, the place is relatively cheap for most things compared to say Australia/USA, but can be as expensive as you make it.
Alcohol / going out is expensive comparatively. Depends on where you get your thrills. Bottle of Johnny Walker Red is 140QR. But by it out per glas and its about 10 Euros a glass. Once again it depends on where you go. I heard this through others, I have not gone too much yet.
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Thanks Jibba Jabba.
I suppose like all places, certain things are cheap, and certain things are slightly more compared to "home", but from what you've said it sounds reasonable and varied especially when you take into account the lack of income tax.
Regards
Cliff
I suppose like all places, certain things are cheap, and certain things are slightly more compared to "home", but from what you've said it sounds reasonable and varied especially when you take into account the lack of income tax.
Regards
Cliff
Having spent 2 years there (2008 - 2010) I would say that a lot of things are pretty expensive and supply can be very variable. the £7.00 box of Special K was what topped it for me.
The quality of fruit and veg was pretty parlous too.
The fact that you can only get a drink with a meal in about a half dozen places also restricted my outings to either the Golf Club or the Sheraton (italian meal for 2, bottle of wine and a couple of beers on a Thursday night about £120.00. Pint of Fosters £7.00 (35 QAR)).
There was an undoubted local attitude that if the westerners want to live like they do at home, they are going to seriously pay for it.
Not many people who haven't been in the ME realise there is only a single government controlled retail liquor outlet, half an hours drive out of town and charging at least 50% more than the UK.
Only seriously cheap thing was petrol, my Escalade cost £7.00 / week to fuel. My Jeep in the UK is about £90.00.
The quality of fruit and veg was pretty parlous too.
The fact that you can only get a drink with a meal in about a half dozen places also restricted my outings to either the Golf Club or the Sheraton (italian meal for 2, bottle of wine and a couple of beers on a Thursday night about £120.00. Pint of Fosters £7.00 (35 QAR)).
There was an undoubted local attitude that if the westerners want to live like they do at home, they are going to seriously pay for it.
Not many people who haven't been in the ME realise there is only a single government controlled retail liquor outlet, half an hours drive out of town and charging at least 50% more than the UK.
Only seriously cheap thing was petrol, my Escalade cost £7.00 / week to fuel. My Jeep in the UK is about £90.00.
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Yeah, it sounds like the big hit will be going for a nice meal or a few beers when you get a couple days off, however as you say with petrol so low (although I understand it went up recently by 25%, but is still very cheap compared to the prices in the UK) and the lack of income tax, things swing in roundabouts.
I'm aware of the liquor situation, and the QDC being the only outlet. But hearing about some of the rosters it doesn't sound like there will be much time for £120+ meals.
Regards
Cliff
I'm aware of the liquor situation, and the QDC being the only outlet. But hearing about some of the rosters it doesn't sound like there will be much time for £120+ meals.
Regards
Cliff
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Thanks guys.
So 6000/month on expenses, plus rent. What's the rent like over there? Do most people find the company housing suitable? How much can one expect to spend on a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment in a nice area close to the airport?
So 6000/month on expenses, plus rent. What's the rent like over there? Do most people find the company housing suitable? How much can one expect to spend on a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment in a nice area close to the airport?
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Does anybody have any good numbers on the schooling? I have 4 daughters ages 4-18. I believe Qatar gives an allowance for 2 children?
I believe Doha has several good schools or universities like Harvard and Cambridge? Does anyone have any experience with these and the cost?
I believe Doha has several good schools or universities like Harvard and Cambridge? Does anyone have any experience with these and the cost?
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Thanks Cliff.
I figure I can look at stuff online, but especially in housing, looking at a picture and standing on the front lawn can be two different experiences. I wanted to see what people with first hand experience were deciding on.
I figure I can look at stuff online, but especially in housing, looking at a picture and standing on the front lawn can be two different experiences. I wanted to see what people with first hand experience were deciding on.
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with regards to housing: look online and that will give you an idea. BUT best to wait untill you get here.
Company accom is generally suitable, but dont expect things to be 5 star standard. Things are a little different, but not that bad.
Typical villa will rent between 11k and 16k depending on your ability to negotiate and where it is.
Best bet is to do alot of driving around and asking when you get here.
good place to look is here(local rag: gulf times:
Gulf Times
ALOT of answers wont make complete sense untill you arrive here
Fuel is CHEAP! 1QR ltr.
Yes there is one Alcohol outlet, but there is rumour to be another opening soon.
Schooling: casnt help you on that one; apart from that schooling facilities are good, and I believe that the QR allowance covers most of it up to 105k QR (3 kids).
hope this helps.
Dont stress a great deal about it. If your smart and dont piss your money up the wall, you can live here modestly and save money.... after all, why else would you come here!
It aint going to be like your home, so get that out of your head right now. However, there are alot of little things, that if you let them, will grind on you and pee you off. So time to start the meditating now so your extra patient when you arrive
Cost of Living in Doha Qatar
.
Company accom is generally suitable, but dont expect things to be 5 star standard. Things are a little different, but not that bad.
Typical villa will rent between 11k and 16k depending on your ability to negotiate and where it is.
Best bet is to do alot of driving around and asking when you get here.
good place to look is here(local rag: gulf times:
Gulf Times
ALOT of answers wont make complete sense untill you arrive here
Fuel is CHEAP! 1QR ltr.
Yes there is one Alcohol outlet, but there is rumour to be another opening soon.
Schooling: casnt help you on that one; apart from that schooling facilities are good, and I believe that the QR allowance covers most of it up to 105k QR (3 kids).
hope this helps.
Dont stress a great deal about it. If your smart and dont piss your money up the wall, you can live here modestly and save money.... after all, why else would you come here!
It aint going to be like your home, so get that out of your head right now. However, there are alot of little things, that if you let them, will grind on you and pee you off. So time to start the meditating now so your extra patient when you arrive
Cost of Living in Doha Qatar
.
Last edited by jibba_jabba; 24th Mar 2012 at 07:54.
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The second liquor store (if it happens) will be on The Pearl but will also be operated by QDC so don't expect lower prices. It will just save a drive for some folks.
Re dining out - virtually all 5* hotels will serve alcohol with a meal but of course at inflated prices. So there is a reasonable choice of high end dining if that is what you want.
Re dining out - virtually all 5* hotels will serve alcohol with a meal but of course at inflated prices. So there is a reasonable choice of high end dining if that is what you want.
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Congrats on your good news!
Just so that your aware I'm not sure if those prices you've seen at ZigZag include the QatCool (or similar name) costs - someone told me it can get very expensive, I think its something to do with the A/C. Also there is a certain contingent who are lazy and leave garbage lying around in the various floor lobby's stinking the place out.
Check it out for yourself though may be horse
.
Just so that your aware I'm not sure if those prices you've seen at ZigZag include the QatCool (or similar name) costs - someone told me it can get very expensive, I think its something to do with the A/C. Also there is a certain contingent who are lazy and leave garbage lying around in the various floor lobby's stinking the place out.
Check it out for yourself though may be horse
.
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ricfly744 ZigZag towers might suit you. Grand Hyatt is right opposite, Ritz Carlton within easy walking distance. Both licenced and with decent restaurants and other facilities. The Carrefour Express in Lagoona Mall is not a full sized hypermarket but is fine for daily shopping.
But none of the ZZ flats have balconies. Window cleaning (or the lack of it) upsets some residents. There is a new hotel under construction on the inland side of the complex - check which way any apartment faces to avoid noise and general building site hassles. Qatar Cooling (or whatever) are the costs for centralised district cooling for airconditioning. Sorry cannot comment on specific costs for ZZ but as the other poster said that can be much more expensive than other utility bills - especially if your place is occupied all day with the A/C on.
Cheers
But none of the ZZ flats have balconies. Window cleaning (or the lack of it) upsets some residents. There is a new hotel under construction on the inland side of the complex - check which way any apartment faces to avoid noise and general building site hassles. Qatar Cooling (or whatever) are the costs for centralised district cooling for airconditioning. Sorry cannot comment on specific costs for ZZ but as the other poster said that can be much more expensive than other utility bills - especially if your place is occupied all day with the A/C on.
Cheers
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just wait untill you get here; it will be easier and there will be a large number of towers completed and you will have more choice. What ever you do DO NOT send money or rent a place before you get here.
Check my link provided for the gulf times above.
There are better places to live than the crap crap towers (zig zag)
Check my link provided for the gulf times above.
There are better places to live than the crap crap towers (zig zag)
