Working In Doha, Qatar
Discussion
Odhran said:
What line of work are you in? I have a lot of friends their working teaching in British schools who I regularly keep in contact with if you would like any specific questions answered?
Quantity Surveyor. Looking for an overview to start with. Am hearing comments along the lines of "not as easy to settle there as an ex pat as it would in Oman and Dubai"I'm a QS too (well Commercial Manager actually).
Qatar isn't hard to settle into in my opinion, it has quirks as every country does but life as expat here is certainly no hardship. Other than the daily commute that resembles GTA Vice City its pretty ok.
The major downside I suppose is that its a relatively small place with no distinguishing geography so it can be a little boring but that's an individual thing. Personally I am enjoying it but then I'm a long seasoned expat and you learn to adapt to that sort of life. A lot will depend on whether you are here on a single or married status position in my experience. Accomodation is expensive but then the tax-free salary is generally pretty good in the Construction Sector. I live in West Bay which costs a few bob but I like it.
Workwise you'll find the place fustrating and if your work involves dealing with the PWA or its legions of consultants then I wish you good luck.
Its not Dubai or Hong Kong but then again its not Riyadh or Lagos (never again). Its a YES from me
Qatar isn't hard to settle into in my opinion, it has quirks as every country does but life as expat here is certainly no hardship. Other than the daily commute that resembles GTA Vice City its pretty ok.
The major downside I suppose is that its a relatively small place with no distinguishing geography so it can be a little boring but that's an individual thing. Personally I am enjoying it but then I'm a long seasoned expat and you learn to adapt to that sort of life. A lot will depend on whether you are here on a single or married status position in my experience. Accomodation is expensive but then the tax-free salary is generally pretty good in the Construction Sector. I live in West Bay which costs a few bob but I like it.
Workwise you'll find the place fustrating and if your work involves dealing with the PWA or its legions of consultants then I wish you good luck.
Its not Dubai or Hong Kong but then again its not Riyadh or Lagos (never again). Its a YES from me
Buttmonkey said:
I'm a QS too (well Commercial Manager actually).
Other than the daily commute that resembles GTA Vice City its pretty ok.
Other than the daily commute that resembles GTA Vice City its pretty ok.
I second that and I only worked there for a week. There was a new Maseratti Quattroporto sitting in the sand off a roundabout with a smashed front wheel. It was there everyday.I'd imagine some prince had overcooked it, left it and got a limo back to the dealer to pick up another one
...and make sure you understand the full package....
salary is only part of it. As an example my "package" is made up of base salary, 20% o/t guaranteed, pension, housing allowance, internet allowance, sat TV allowance, per diem, fuel card, car,flights, service gratuity, bonus. It can all add up.
salary is only part of it. As an example my "package" is made up of base salary, 20% o/t guaranteed, pension, housing allowance, internet allowance, sat TV allowance, per diem, fuel card, car,flights, service gratuity, bonus. It can all add up.
GT03ROB said:
...and make sure you understand the full package....
salary is only part of it. As an example my "package" is made up of base salary, 20% o/t guaranteed, pension, housing allowance, internet allowance, sat TV allowance, per diem, fuel card, car,flights, service gratuity, bonus. It can all add up.
Is that what "all found" means?salary is only part of it. As an example my "package" is made up of base salary, 20% o/t guaranteed, pension, housing allowance, internet allowance, sat TV allowance, per diem, fuel card, car,flights, service gratuity, bonus. It can all add up.
On the subject of making sure of the package I've heard old school horror stories dating back to the early days of ex-pat working in the ME. As I understood it the salary was a pittance but the worker would receive a huge contract completion bonus. Result work 364 day and you were on $100 odd dollars a week. Work 365 days and an extra $30k was dropped in your bank account. (doesn't sound much but am talking old days money
)Tannedbaldhead said:
GT03ROB said:
...and make sure you understand the full package....
salary is only part of it. As an example my "package" is made up of base salary, 20% o/t guaranteed, pension, housing allowance, internet allowance, sat TV allowance, per diem, fuel card, car,flights, service gratuity, bonus. It can all add up.
Is that what "all found" means?salary is only part of it. As an example my "package" is made up of base salary, 20% o/t guaranteed, pension, housing allowance, internet allowance, sat TV allowance, per diem, fuel card, car,flights, service gratuity, bonus. It can all add up.
On the subject of making sure of the package I've heard old school horror stories dating back to the early days of ex-pat working in the ME. As I understood it the salary was a pittance but the worker would receive a huge contract completion bonus. Result work 364 day and you were on $100 odd dollars a week. Work 365 days and an extra $30k was dropped in your bank account. (doesn't sound much but am talking old days money
)Tannedbaldhead said:
WTF is the exchange rate BTW. On 'tinternet convertors they state 1QAR is worth 18p. That means a 50,000QAR offer means I'm working for £9k which can't be right. Am scared to ask my prospective boss in case he thinks I'm a bit thick (which I may well be).
HAHA thats per month bro.
Buttmonkey said:
I'm a QS too (well Commercial Manager actually).
Qatar isn't hard to settle into in my opinion, it has quirks as every country does but life as expat here is certainly no hardship. Other than the daily commute that resembles GTA Vice City its pretty ok.
The major downside I suppose is that its a relatively small place with no distinguishing geography so it can be a little boring but that's an individual thing. Personally I am enjoying it but then I'm a long seasoned expat and you learn to adapt to that sort of life. A lot will depend on whether you are here on a single or married status position in my experience. Accomodation is expensive but then the tax-free salary is generally pretty good in the Construction Sector. I live in West Bay which costs a few bob but I like it.
Workwise you'll find the place fustrating and if your work involves dealing with the PWA or its legions of consultants then I wish you good luck.
Its not Dubai or Hong Kong but then again its not Riyadh or Lagos (never again). Its a YES from me
I'm a QS in Doha too, I have worked in Dubai, Iraq and Oman. I think Qatar is a good mix of the three. Its quite conservative here, but that doesnt really cause issues is you are good.Qatar isn't hard to settle into in my opinion, it has quirks as every country does but life as expat here is certainly no hardship. Other than the daily commute that resembles GTA Vice City its pretty ok.
The major downside I suppose is that its a relatively small place with no distinguishing geography so it can be a little boring but that's an individual thing. Personally I am enjoying it but then I'm a long seasoned expat and you learn to adapt to that sort of life. A lot will depend on whether you are here on a single or married status position in my experience. Accomodation is expensive but then the tax-free salary is generally pretty good in the Construction Sector. I live in West Bay which costs a few bob but I like it.
Workwise you'll find the place fustrating and if your work involves dealing with the PWA or its legions of consultants then I wish you good luck.
Its not Dubai or Hong Kong but then again its not Riyadh or Lagos (never again). Its a YES from me
Dubai is too much in your face after a bit, and Oman is too quite.... iraq is a league of its own. (would again)
Accommodation is an expensive thing, living in QQ, my head office is near, but my soon to be daily commute to the airport is gonna do my head in...
The traffic.... the traffic is horrendous here. NO ONE wants to queue to turn left so will jsut cut the whole junction up. Smashed cars are a daily site. I have been stuck in gridlocked traffic for nearly two hours not moving.
oh the traffic!
Gassing Station | Middle East | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff