Doha Roll Call

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GreatPretender

Original Poster:

26,140 posts

214 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
quotequote all
TobyLaRohne said:
GreatPretender said:
Oh, and make sure your employer is cool with NOCs (google it).
hmm tough one that, you don't really give a good impression if you're asking about that but I suppose its worth asking.
I did. There are ways and means...

Ultimately I think it's prudent to ascertain whether you are a free agent or the company's (paid) slave.

shirt

22,569 posts

201 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
quotequote all
no idea on what doha is like but:

toby - no idea you were a leeds lad, you have gone up in my estimation. join me at the top table. YORKSHIRE!

GP - the region will be much the richer for having one of the premier threadists joining our ranks wink

dxbtiger

4,389 posts

173 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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johnfm said:
It is a law firm.

5 working days (Sun-Thurs). Will definitely be multi exit, as I will be in Oman and Dubai a bit as they have offices there too.

Waiting to see package - and all subject to second interview success.

But I feel confident - and will be tapping all you guys up for work if you are in construction... wink
Which firm?

PM if you'd rather keep it off the board, ignore me if you'd rather not say hehe

johnfm

13,668 posts

250 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
quotequote all
dxbtiger said:
johnfm said:
It is a law firm.

5 working days (Sun-Thurs). Will definitely be multi exit, as I will be in Oman and Dubai a bit as they have offices there too.

Waiting to see package - and all subject to second interview success.

But I feel confident - and will be tapping all you guys up for work if you are in construction... wink
Which firm?

PM if you'd rather keep it off the board, ignore me if you'd rather not say hehe
PM sent.

On another note, how much is golf club membership there?

I used to play off 9, but now play once a year or so. I need to get back to that really!

TobyLaRohne

5,713 posts

206 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
quotequote all
shirt said:
toby - no idea you were a leeds lad, you have gone up in my estimation. join me at the top table. YORKSHIRE!

GP - the region will be much the richer for having one of the premier threadists joining our ranks wink
Yeah shirt, I am indeed of Leeds heritage biggrin

johnfm

13,668 posts

250 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
quotequote all
I'm an Aussie - but lived 23 years in Leeds.

I think I have 'done' Leeds now...and need a new adventure.

K50 DEL

9,237 posts

228 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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TobyLaRohne said:
Shaved head? Southerner? Yeah I know the guy, he's helped me trying to find an electrical fault in the past, good friends with Tim S.

...hangon what conversations you've had with him?! Not speaking ill of me is he?

Edited by TobyLaRohne on Thursday 14th August 14:37
Lol, nothing suspicious, we were just chatting when I had my C6 and you had yours and then posted on here about buying the track weapon.... It's a small world so was a pretty good chance you'd know him.

I'm hoping to take a road trip up next year so will try and bump in to you then.

johnfm

13,668 posts

250 months

Friday 15th August 2014
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I expect my wife and kids will stay here for the first couple of years (youngest just about to start A levels).

I won't need more than a 2BR flat in West Lagoon or similar.

Possible to live a reasonable existence on £2.5k-£3k/month?

I expect most of my drinking/going out will be on expenses anyway - so just food and sports to pay for in addition to rent, car and utilities.

TobyLaRohne

5,713 posts

206 months

Friday 15th August 2014
quotequote all
johnfm said:
I expect my wife and kids will stay here for the first couple of years (youngest just about to start A levels).

I won't need more than a 2BR flat in West Lagoon or similar.

Possible to live a reasonable existence on £2.5k-£3k/month?

I expect most of my drinking/going out will be on expenses anyway - so just food and sports to pay for in addition to rent, car and utilities.
2 bed rent in city centre say 12-14,000QAR
car 2,500QAR
Everything else socially and including food say 6,000-12,000QAR

johnfm

13,668 posts

250 months

Friday 15th August 2014
quotequote all
More than I was expecting.

What does £400/month get you car wise?

I don't really want to spend more than £1500 renting. Not worth it for just me. Quite happy with a simple flat - would rather spend money travelling than on a bigger flat.

IanUAE

2,930 posts

164 months

Friday 15th August 2014
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TobyLaRohne said:
DIBS ON DRIVING!

Looks like there could be enough for me to round you all up as my pitcrew! I only pay biscuits but you'll get to help out fettling my race car and of course passes to the races as well as passes to the GT3 Middle East race and Radical Race series we are a supporting series for!
You might see at Losail next year as we are working on a deal to race a CBR1000 in the Qatar championship.

GreatPretender

Original Poster:

26,140 posts

214 months

Friday 15th August 2014
quotequote all
Anyone got any tips on renting vs buying?

My car allowance is depressingly meager (having checked the cost of rental) so I'd be more inclined to just buy outright, however I've heard horror stories about the whole registration/insurance process.

TobyLaRohne

5,713 posts

206 months

Friday 15th August 2014
quotequote all
johnfm said:
More than I was expecting.

What does £400/month get you car wise?

I don't really want to spend more than £1500 renting. Not worth it for just me. Quite happy with a simple flat - would rather spend money travelling than on a bigger flat.
2,400QAR/400GBP gets you a saab 2.8 Aero or an Alfa Romeo 159 3.2

if you want to get something for 1500 you can get a 1 bed furnished in the city centre, or you can get a 2 bed a little out of the central business district for around that....or if you're willing to commute 30min to the nearest bar/restaurant you can get a whole darn villa! (look at Simaisma) I have friends who live there. They rent a villa for 6,000 a month.

TobyLaRohne

5,713 posts

206 months

Friday 15th August 2014
quotequote all
GreatPretender said:
Anyone got any tips on renting vs buying?

My car allowance is depressingly meager (having checked the cost of rental) so I'd be more inclined to just buy outright, however I've heard horror stories about the whole registration/insurance process.
You can get a 1.3 auto yaris for about 1600QAR/month...or you can go on Qatarsale.com and have a look at cheap jeep wranglers, you can get a beater for around 30,000QAR and so long as it is still running when you come to sell it it wont ever depreciate any more. Best discussing cars when you get here to be honest.

GreatPretender

Original Poster:

26,140 posts

214 months

Friday 15th August 2014
quotequote all
TobyLaRohne said:
You can get a 1.3 auto yaris for about 1600QAR/month...or you can go on Qatarsale.com and have a look at cheap jeep wranglers, you can get a beater for around 30,000QAR and so long as it is still running when you come to sell it it wont ever depreciate any more. Best discussing cars when you get here to be honest.
This is a bit of me:

http://www.qatarsale.com/mycar_e.aspx?carid=53328

Perfect for nipping to down to the Mega Mart.

shirt

22,569 posts

201 months

Friday 15th August 2014
quotequote all
wranglers are loads of fun, but you need a daily as well. i love mine but driving it to work and back everyday gets old fast.

147GTA

282 posts

203 months

Friday 15th August 2014
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I've been here almost 2 years and I think TobyLaRohne has covered pretty much everything. It is very similar to living in London in terms of cost of living, some things are cheaper but other things can be even more expensive. Schools here are really not very good so if you have family that is something you really need to consider.

There really is lots to do if you have spare time, late afternoon/evening clay pigeon shooting is something I like doing to let off steam every once in a while.

Accomodation is expensive in Doha but you can rent a new studio apartment in Barwa City, not to be confused with Barwa Village, for under £500 a month including bills, it is near the industrial area so you dont get the views like those in Westbay but you would be saving huge amounts of cash. They also only take on professionals so you're neighbours are usually decent people.

TobyLaRohne said:
DIBS ON DRIVING!

Looks like there could be enough for me to round you all up as my pitcrew! I only pay biscuits but you'll get to help out fettling my race car and of course passes to the races as well as passes to the GT3 Middle East race and Radical Race series we are a supporting series for!
If you're serious then I may well be up for that!

Edited by 147GTA on Friday 15th August 18:30

TobyLaRohne

5,713 posts

206 months

Friday 15th August 2014
quotequote all
147GTA said:
If you're serious then I may well be up for that!

Edited by 147GTA on Friday 15th August 18:30
Dead serious, I have 10 pit crew passes every race and 10 guest passes, would appreciate any help I can get, even if its spanner passing and words of encouragement.

Just spent the afternoon at fuwairit beach up north, great bunch of guys, bbq and swimming in the sea, drove the A5 on the sand, I really got alot of stares bombing along on the soft sand and all the guys were gobsmacked I made it to the end of the beach with no problems! 3.0 Supercharged QUATTTRO POWER FOR THE WIN!! hehe

Edited by TobyLaRohne on Friday 15th August 21:05

147GTA

282 posts

203 months

Saturday 16th August 2014
quotequote all
TobyLaRohne said:
Dead serious, I have 10 pit crew passes every race and 10 guest passes, would appreciate any help I can get, even if its spanner passing and words of encouragement.

Just spent the afternoon at fuwairit beach up north, great bunch of guys, bbq and swimming in the sea, drove the A5 on the sand, I really got alot of stares bombing along on the soft sand and all the guys were gobsmacked I made it to the end of the beach with no problems! 3.0 Supercharged QUATTTRO POWER FOR THE WIN!! hehe
Alright I'm in, sign me up please for some spanner passing!

GreatPretender

Original Poster:

26,140 posts

214 months

Saturday 16th August 2014
quotequote all
147GTA said:
TobyLaRohne said:
Dead serious, I have 10 pit crew passes every race and 10 guest passes, would appreciate any help I can get, even if its spanner passing and words of encouragement.

Just spent the afternoon at fuwairit beach up north, great bunch of guys, bbq and swimming in the sea, drove the A5 on the sand, I really got alot of stares bombing along on the soft sand and all the guys were gobsmacked I made it to the end of the beach with no problems! 3.0 Supercharged QUATTTRO POWER FOR THE WIN!! hehe
Alright I'm in, sign me up please for some spanner passing!
And me too smile