Doha Roll Call

[GreatPretender]

C'mon then, lets see a show of hands.

I'm thinking of taking a job out there and having never been near the place, I'd like to hear your opinions and experiences as to life in the middle east (mainly Qatar).

Some questions I have:

• cost of living vs London?
• quality of life compared to UK?
• activities
• cultural variances
• would you come back to Blighty?

Grateful for any thoughts you may have. This will likely be a five year move for me, so it needs to be right!

On a more PH note, how expensive is it to buy/rent a motor out there? Company are paying me an allowance each month which I could add to if need be.

TIA.

[GreatPretender]

TobyLaRohne said:

[extremely useful insight]

Cheers

YHM

[GreatPretender]

TobyLaRohne said:

johnfm said:

Things moving quickly.

First call today. 2nd interview on Monday. Decision expected by Tuesday. If successful, in Doha by 8 Sept!!

Yikes.

Multi Exit Visa?
Health insurance company name?
Dental Cover?
5 or 6 working days?

Oh, and make sure your employer is cool with NOCs (google it).

[GreatPretender]

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.

[GreatPretender]

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.

[GreatPretender]

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.

[GreatPretender]

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!!

Alright I'm in, sign me up please for some spanner passing!

And me too

[GreatPretender]

shirt said:

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

Thank you sir; too kind

[GreatPretender]

See you on the 15th September boys and girls

[GreatPretender]

So folks, I'm mobilising on Saturday (30th Aug). Work wanted me out ASAP so I duly obliged.

Mark, I'll ping you a line when I get out there and settled.

[GreatPretender]

We should have our very own PH Sunday Service out here

Albeit, I appreciate an actual Sunday would be difficult...

[GreatPretender]

Good man. Have you got your Qatar licence? Where was the Jag being sold?