Doha, Qatar Report of what it's like to live there - 06/19/11
Personal Experiences from Doha, Qatar
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Bonn, Berlin, New Delhi, Detroit
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Lahore, Pakistan. There are several direct flight from doha to lahore, and it takes 3 to 4 hours to get here.
3. How long have you lived here?
4 years
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Student at an American university's branch campus,
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Most expats live in compounds. They are provided with all the amenities (gym, swimming pool, playground, supermarket etc.)
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
All of them (KFC, Pizza Hut, McD's, Hardee's, Pinkberry, Applebeess and MANY MANY more.) Turkish Restaurants provide cheaper option.
5. What kinds of organic, vegetarian and allergy-friendly foods are available, such as organic produce, gluten-free products, meat substitutes for vegetarians, etc?
There is this place that provides organic food called "Dean & Deluca" in villagio. It is expensive though.
6. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
None that I know of.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Courrier. Postal service isn't reliable.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes. Plenty.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Very safe and accessible.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
I think this place is very friendly towards the disabled in terms of its infrastructure and its people.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Public Transportation is horrible. The taxi service (Karwa) is ok. Private taxis are illegal.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
SUV's seem to be most convenient because the traffic is horrible and you'll feel crushed with a small car.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Qtel and Vodafone are the only two carriers in the country. Rates are ok.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
2. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
None. Qatar is extremely safe.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Moderate. It can get polluted in the densely urban areas. Dust storms are the norm.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
It is extremely hot for most of the year and you hardly have to wear a jacket in the winter.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There are plenty. American School of Doha and Doha College (British System) come to mind. Qatar is also home to branch campuses of some the world's best universites (Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, Georgetown, UCL, Northwestern, HEC Paris and more to come).
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
Qatar really takes care of special needs kids. There is the Learn Center which is a world-class institute dedicated to their needs in Education City. Most of the public places are also accessible to the disabled.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
I am not sure, but they must be good.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes. Aspire is state of the art.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
2. Morale among expats:
3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
More so for families than for couples and singles. There is a party scene but it is a bit shady from what i've heard.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
I believe there is a gay community, but they are mostly closeted because of Qatar's strict Muslim principles.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Racial problems exist as people from the subcontinent and Philipines are often discriminated against. Westerners and Arabs are above everyone else in the hierarcy.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Seeing the country grow and develop, and seeing the leadership's goals of making Qatar a knowledge economy take shape. The energy on the streets was spectacular when Qatar won the World Cup 2022 bid
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Not so many. There are plenty of world class cinemas (including an IMAX). There is also the Doha Tribbecca Film Festival, Sheesha/Hookah at the Souk and a state of the art islamic and arab musem.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
It is an extremely safe place - probably one of the safest in the world. It is also a booming economy, and you can see the country really building itself.
11. Can you save money?
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes. Definitely. Although you do tend to get bored at times and I would prefer to go somewhere else for grad school.
