View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343
|
Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 5:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
I expected to read biffo's new mantra which is "Libya, Libya, Libya" |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Madman
Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 59 Location: Sand juggling in Qatar
|
Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 5:35 am Post subject: Abu Dhabi v. Doha (Qatar) |
|
|
I moved here in August from Abu Dhabi. Prior to working in Abu Dhabi I was in Saudi Arabia. Since being out here I have visited Kuwait, Bahrain and the other emirates that make up the UAE.
I really enjoyed Abu Dhabi once I had settled in. It was easy and cheap to get around by taxi. Not being at all sporty and not being much of a drinker meant I had a pretty quiet life but that was ok with me and I was able to save money.
From visits to Dubai I knew I would never save a penny if I lived there - much more expensive and difficult and costly to use taxis.
Qatar (Doha) in comparison is very quiet, almost achingly dull and living and working out in the suburbs means my world has shrunk to school and home and the weekly shopping trip to the local Landmark mall. I don't drive and taxis are non-existent in this area. There are unlicensed private drivers but these are risky, expensive and unreliable. Cost of living is higher than in Abu Dhabi.
The range of fresh fruit and veg at landmark Carrefour is considerably poorer than at Lulu in Abu Dhabi.
Doha is less built up than the UAE. Doha physically reminds me of Fujairah but in practice living here is rather like living in Sharjah.
If you want a quiet life and can enjoy your own (or limited company) you can save more here - but you have to be a stay-at-home to do that.
New arrivals at my school were complaining they weren't saving anything but they were hiring cars and going out a couple of times a week. It depends on your reasons for being out here and how determined you are to stick to those goals.
So, Qatar is less hideous than Saudi Arabia and Kuwait but duller than the UAE. I wouldn't recommend Qatar as a newbie's first post in the Middle East but after the UAE it could be a useful place to top up your funds whilst you are in the region.
Qatar is another GCC country where you need an exit visa and your employer's (owner's!) permission to leave the country. Unlike Abu Dhabi you are fingerprinted here. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
redsoxman
Joined: 30 Apr 2007 Posts: 51
|
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 1:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Don't do it. Stay in the UAE unless you have a family, maybe then it's OK to be in Q but if you're single, stay in the UAE. At least you have a life. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
thursday12
Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Posts: 93
|
Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 12:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Qatar costs too.
-It's a real expensive place ta live & shop.
-In the short time I've been here, the prices keep goin up.
-A lotta stuff has doubled and tripled in price.
-I've heard they're goin ta put up the price of gas soon.
-It's hard ta save as most people earn less than the cost of livin here.
-Ya just gotta keep yer hand in yer pocket.
Last edited by thursday12 on Sat Dec 27, 2008 12:32 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
thursday12
Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Posts: 93
|
Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 12:31 pm Post subject: Re: UAE v Qatar |
|
|
UAE: expensive, hot, traffic jams, Gulf expats, krap hotel bars, shopping malls.
Qatar: expensive, hot, traffic jams, Gulf expats, krap hotel bars, shopping malls.
Bahrain: (see above).
Same, same saddiq
Qatar same, same |
|
Back to top |
|
|
battleshipb_b
Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 189
|
Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 1:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Saudi is not the same. No krap hotels or night clubs, they don't exist.
Things are much cheaper here because they import in bulk. It's easy to save money because you don't spend it on drink and clubs. Food is cheaper than the rest of the Gulf. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
wilberforce
Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 647
|
Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'll take Qatar, low salaries and all because I have a great gang of friends. Don't want to start all over somewhere else although must admit the UAE sounds enticing. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|