Doha, Qatar Report of what it's like to live there - 10/10/24
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?
No, lived Seoul for over five years.
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?
CA (SFO) is about 15.5 hours
Dallas is 17h 15 min
It is very easy to travel out of Qatar but flights aren’t cheap even though it’s a hub.
3. What years did you live here?
2023 to present.
4. How long have you lived here?
One year.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
USG.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Villas: families with kids or pets get a villa in a compound typically. We love the compound we live in (there are several). The kids can run free with friends, school bus pick up is easy and short ride to school, and all American holidays are celebrated as the compound has a large US population. Halloween is huge!
Apartment: single or no kids live downtown in apartments.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
You can find most things and get enough replacements. Prices generally are the same or less than the US. I don’t think produce is quite as good. Some specific US items can be super pricey.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Cereal but just Amazon it.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Snoonu/talabat- delivery is absolutely amazing here!!! We prefer that to going out even many times.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Ants.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Cheaper than the US but more expensive than other posts from talking to people. Around 1100 usd a month for full time, live out nanny/cleaner.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
Doha is so safe (outside of crazy drivers). It makes every other place look dangerous.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes but the compound has a great gym so I don’t know outside costs.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Yes.
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
I know there are but don’t know the exact info.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
English is all that is needed.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
You can Uber everywhere so I guess it depends on your disability.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Everything is safe and inexpensive.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
There are no risks except maybe a car accident from crazy drivers. Cars have to be younger than five years to be imported. I would just buy locally if you don’t have a car to bring. There is a huge expat population that always has cars for sale.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, a couple weeks but the Community Liaison Office (CLO) gives you a hotspot to borrow until then.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Google fi with an unlocked phone to add a local number. It’s been fantastic!!!
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?
Nannies/helpers can always be used for animal care but there are some boarding facilities. Decent vets so far it seems. We got a Doha special so haven’t had a lot of experience yet. It can be harder to bring in an animal depending on the local rules at the time. So many people abandon pets here it’s criminal.
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?
At the embassy or maybe the school?
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Not beyond the volunteer animal shelters
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Cover shoulders, chest and knees as a woman to get into the malls and some areas but you will see all kinds of dress. Definitely more conservative but I like it especially with the harsh sun on my skin.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
None- best thing about Doha.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Pollution
Great medical in general unless a special kid issue
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?
Terrible. Lots of air purifiers but it affects everyone differently. We still love it enough to extend.
4. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
No.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Humid and crazy hot in the summer. Everyone not working leaves.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Great and there are several choices.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
Not a lot at ASD sadly.
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?
No experience but several choices to include ASD.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Lots of choices.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Over 2 million.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
So many options.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Families have a great life here; it's very focused on kids. There seems to be a night club culture for singles but I don’t know much about it
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
No, they keep to themselves.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
No.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Probably but I haven’t experienced it yet.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Safety, compound life, great school, great food delivery: it’s a polluted, gilded cage.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Dune bashing
Business lunches
Mall culture
Camel racing
Glass blowing guy in Souq Waqif
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Not really other than Walker camel cookies, dates, nuts.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Safety, easy life, closer to Europe and other countries than the US.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
Bring your fave sunscreen, wish I had kept my kids binoculars, bring maple syrup (expensive here).
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes!
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Winter coats are only needed for out of the region.
4. But don't forget your:
Hats, sunscreen, flexibility and embrace the crazy driving.
