Doha, Qatar Report of what it's like to live there - 04/04/25
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- S. Korea
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- 15 hrs 30 mins to SFO
TX- 17 hrs 15 mins to Dallas and then 15ish hrs back
3. What years did you live here?
2023 - present
4. How long have you lived here?
2023 - present
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Military/dip mission
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
There are several compound for families or those with pets. For singles or no kid couples there are several hotel residences downtown. We live in a villa in a gated compound (don't let the words compound or gated scare you, as neither is needed). The villa is probably over 3000 sq ft, 4 bedrooms with two living rooms, dining room and large kitchen.
Villa size does vary depending on which unit you are assigned. There are covered car ports for housing. The clubhouse has a pool, tennis court, basketball court, playroom, dance class rooms, gym, etc. It is also where school bus pick up is located. The embassy (though supposed to move to new one in 2027) is about 15 mins away and an easy drive. ASD is about 15-20 minutes maybe.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
You can get everything you need here and more. There are groceries from all countries. Everything is imported except milk (they have their own dairy here) and some local items. I would buy TP and paper towels via amazon or on the nearby base due to quality. We also order laundry pods and cereal due to cost and different recipes.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Molasses and maple syrup.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
The number of restaurants to order from are mind boggling. It is overwhelming. You could choose a new restaurant a day and never run out of new choices in your whole tour probably. Delivery costs all of 2.50 USD about and a tip (not required but deserved) is 2.50 USD. Everything can be delivered. Literally the only restaurants from the US not here are CFA, In and Out and....... that is all I can think of. We are getting a Chipotle soon (just no pork).
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Ants with random lizards that are smaller which I don't mind. We do have mosquitos but that is more recent issue in the past couple of years.
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?
Massive amount of availability. Pay scale is sliding depending on hours. I pay about 1100 USD monthly (to include the flight home for her every 2 years). I think I overpay a bit for the number of hours she works for us but she is fantastic. Some people have live ins and we have a live out. So many options, it just might take going through one or two people to find a good fit. Take the recommendations from outgoing/current people.
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?
It is sooooooo safe here. You won't want to run at some point outside due to heat and pollution but everyone has different tolerances. I don't bike ride so no idea. People ride around the compound and there are bike paths I have seen. Again, it is SOOOOOOO safe here, I never imagined how amazing that would feel.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
We have a gym in our compound that is great and a tiny one at the embassy. No idea on cost of outside gyms but I have seen some. There are yoga places, etc.
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?
Credit cards accepted everywhere except personal tours maybe. You can get cash from the embassy or ATM on base.
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
There are some.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
NONE. English is fantastic here.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
I think it would be ok as everyone drives everywhere and I see lots of elevators.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Uber is affordable and easy. Some people never get their own car.
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?
I have seen hybrid, all electric, big SUVs and small sedans.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes. There is a CLO hotspot to borrow until you get internet.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
I kept my Google Fi and made sure my phone was unlocked. I use one phone but have both local and US google fi on it. It is great and I will never give up my Google Fi.
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?
Vets are good. I have only been once. My Aussie friend says it is expensive but when I compare with my CA SIL, it seems less expensive than parts of the US. Our vet was US trained. We got our dog here so not sure on imports. Keep your rabies up to date as it deemed a high rabies post. We have a helper who stays with our dog when we leave for trips and the summer. There are a couple boarding options but most people seem to use helpers.
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?
ASD or embassy I think are the only local options. There is telecommuting, too.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Pet charities and Boy Scouts.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Work: suits to khakis with some jean days.
Formal only for events
As a woman I cover my shoulders generally and my knees but a lot don't. Doha is not at all what you think of the ME from an American perspective and it has forever changed my mind about the region as well as our visitors. In the malls, they do required shoulders and knees covered but it is chilly so I usually have a sweater on anyway.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
None.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Pollution and heat.
Medical care is absolutely fantastic here and better than the US in many ways. A heart transplant required a medevac but that extreme situation is the only thing that would require that. Medical care is so fast, inexpensive and GOOD here. My kid went to urgent care for a possible broken finger and in one hour had been seen, x rays, x rays read, treatment explained, and released.
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?
Pollution can be bad but it is often sand (you can see the brown in the sky)
Some people do react to it with more allergies. It can be dusty here but really I have not seen a huge difference in my allergies. If you leave your car sitting for a week or more it might have a fine layer of dust.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Sometimes random food poisoning
Dust, normal allergies
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
None. It's sunny just about all year long.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
November- March, maybe April- nice weather
April- end of June- hot weather
July- September- hot and humid (but you don't stay outside and ACs are great here)
October- hot but cools off around Halloween
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
ASD-- it is amazing!!! I know a couple people have had their issues but I think that will happen no matter where you go. For us, it has been absolutely fantastic and we would stay forever if they let us just for the school. I know a US tenured professor who gave up his tenure to stay here so his kids could all attend ASD. There are multiple other options; Swiss, Compass, DES, Doha College, Hamilton.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
Depends on the school, check out Hamilton if you need more help than average.
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?
There are options but no after/before school because everyone who needs it just hires a nanny.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
So many options I cannot even list them all.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
HUGE- 2.2 million expats here including all the helpers
Embassy morale seems to be low due to leadership (depending on who you talk to) and current events but overall expat morale is great I think. Family life here is amazing for us.
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?
The compound, clubs, work, boozy brunches... there is always some event happening here to go to. I made friends within my compound and with my kids' friends' moms.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
I think really good for families. Singles might be hard for dating. Couples I think would be ok depending on how the non-working spouse occupies themselves. Travel is great from here but tickets are expensive.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Locals keep to themselves generally but everyone has been really nice to use. With that said, I think life is harder probably for the service workers here.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Probably but I have not had any issues so far.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
The school, having a helper, ease of life in general (everything is about 15 mins away), meeting new groups of people I wouldn't otherwise (lots of gas/oil in our compound). People stay here for 15-20 years working...one person called it a gilded cage and I see that.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
No hidden gems but there is the Souq, always some event going on
Definitely do a camel race, dune bashing, drive out to the beach, go see Baladna Dairy farm, Panda House, zoo, and Qatar National Museum.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Tons of shopping but none of it will be local. This is a consumeristic culture to me, even more than the US.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
You have EVERYTHING here. Yes it is hot, but you have your expat bubble, everything at your fingertips, a great school, everything is close by and you have a great airport 25 minutes away.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
It is not at all what American think of the Middle East.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Absolutely.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
American thoughts on the Middle East.
4. But don't forget your:
sunscreen, molasses, maple syrup (you can get it here but small bottles that are expensive), and money for tickets to visit other places.
5. Do you have any other comments?
Don't miss out on Doha!!
