View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
james van cleave
Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 59
|
Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:21 pm Post subject: Social Life in Doha |
|
|
Can anyone give me the scoop on ex-pat like in Qatar? I know it's not Dubai...and I hope it's not Saudi. Any and all information will be greatly appreciated. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
GulfProf
Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Posts: 26 Location: Kuwait
|
Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 5:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
I second that question. I'm applying to two jobs in the UAE and two in Qatar. If down the road I'm lucky enough to be in a position to be choosing between two equally interesting jobs, I'd like to be informed on the social scene in each locale. I've heard good and bad about Qatar and would like to hear more so that I know which direction the scale tips.... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
moralleader1
Joined: 15 Oct 2007 Posts: 69 Location: USA
|
Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:12 am Post subject: OK |
|
|
If you are looking for social life, go to the UAE and put Qatar at the bottom of the list right before Cambodia or Laos, and if you want to spend most of your time at home and work, then Doha would be your best choice.
It is easy to decide, isn't it? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
GulfProf
Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Posts: 26 Location: Kuwait
|
Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 6:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'm in Kuwait and the original poster is in Saudi. How does Qatar compare to these two places? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
QatarChic
Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 445 Location: Qatar
|
Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think everthing is what you make of it. The social scene in Doha is improving, it's not Dubai but it is not as bad as some people make it out to be. There are plenty of places to eat out, several bars/pubs, you have several cinemas showing lots of movies- but doesn't include a lot of international cinema. There are also lots of opportunities to go camping in the desert. There are different groups and associations that you could join; scuba diving, sailing, rugby, natural history group, Spanish speaking, salsa....etc..... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA
|
Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'd say that life in Qatar is like life in Kuwait. It is smaller than Kuwait with the same problem of a limited number of expats that you quickly begin to recognize as you see them everywhere you go. It is not as scrubby looking as most of Kuwait City, but it has the same problem of having not much to offer outside the city. There is not an Al-Ain or a Muscat or a Musandum just up the road a piece for an interesting change of scenery. If you are able to find a congenial group of people that you share an interest with, either place can be pleasant enough to a year or two, but if you don't, it will just a slight change of climate. (I suspect that Doha is more humid).
VS |
|
Back to top |
|
|
The Maverick
Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Posts: 15
|
Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 8:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
(I suspect that Doha is more humid).
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
thursday12
Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Posts: 93
|
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 8:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
Social life all depends -
- all the hotels got discos, nightclubs and pubs - some are pretty good but be prepared to dole out the moolah - some of the pubs are pretty expensive.
- there's Garveys - favorite place of platoon dudes 'n others
- lotsa cafes, restaurants - great choice
- good shoppin malls - at least 5 big ones
- Virgin's opened last year
Beach scene-
- real bad gotta drive really far out to find a place to swim or surf
Traffic scene
- real bad - half the town under construction or reconstruction - detours and road blocks all over the place
Bascially-
a good place for families but for singles - not the greatest - at least it's not dry so ya can always have a swig somewhere. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
james van cleave
Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 59
|
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 7:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for the info, guys!
I dread going back to that part of the world, but as you say, at least it's not dry.
Saudi Arabia must be , by the standards of any civilised state, the worst place on earth. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
GulfProf
Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Posts: 26 Location: Kuwait
|
Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
Sometimes when people emphasize that Qatar is small and dull, I wonder if they remember that we're writing from Saudi and Kuwait (Saudi Light)?
If there's a possibility to socialize in a bar with people I don't work with and to drink a real beer...? Well, that's sounds like heaven to me from where I'm sitting! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA
|
Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 2:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yes, but what about when you find the second week and every week thereafter that it is full of the same drunken sods... (half of whom you work with)
VS |
|
Back to top |
|
|
bje
Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527
|
Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 2:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Quote: |
Yes, but what about when you find the second week and every week thereafter that it is full of the same drunken sods... (half of whom you work with) |
Yep, this is precisely what one finds in the smaller emirates of the UAE...you have to either get used to it or socialise at people's homes. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124
|
Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 4:56 am Post subject: |
|
|
Quote: |
If you are looking for social life, go to the UAE and put Qatar at the bottom of the list right before Cambodia or Laos, |
I thought the main problem with Cambodia was getting mugged in the early hours of the morning as you staggered back smashed from the nearest bar. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343
|
Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 6:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
KSA the worst place on Earth ? Try Nigeria, Burkina Faso, the Congo, Papua New Guinea, Birkenhead or Airdrie. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
boonie pepper
Joined: 28 Dec 2007 Posts: 10
|
Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 8:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Its one of those places where you really need to have a good group of friends. Went out to several of the bars here. I thought I had inadvertently stepped through a portal transporting me to an American suburban sports bar on a Tuesday night. I think this would be a great place for couples with children. Single folk--not so much. I'm here now. Feel free to PM me. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|