Job Discussion Forums

Sheika Taylfetha · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 13

Hi I'm new to Dave's although I've been following the posts for months. I have accepted a teaching position and am about to move to Qatar. I would really appreciate some help with the answers to these questions.
1. I can get a GOOD laptop in my own country for about 3500 QR. Could I get a good one cheaper in Qatar?
2. Is there a cheap way of calling home i.e. can you buy international 'phone cards there that allow you to call home cheaply?
3. I lead a fairly quiet life. Would it be possible to save much on a monthly income of 10000 QR (housing and all utilities are provided - the 10000 QR is just for food, entertainment, telephone)?

Thanks Very Happy

millie18 · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 185

Calling home can be done on your mobile - I usually do it on Fridays (lower rates) and it costs between 15 - 25 QAR for about a 10 - 15 minute call to North America. Skype can be hooked up and of course that would be cheaper - a lot of people use it.

Computer, I don't know. I bought one in December (laptop Toshiba Satellite) for QAR4500 but I don't know if that was a "good deal" compared with home or not - I've been here too long.

QAR10,000 per month - if you don't drink, go out to eat at 5* hotels every weekend or feel the need to travel extensively on holidays. On average, you should be able to save 60 - 70% of your monthly salary IF you don't feel the need to buy or rent (about QAR1700 per month) a car.

Transportation in and around Doha will be your biggest concern. Taxis are relatively inexpensive by Western standards, you pay for distance but not time spent (which is good because there's a lot of traffic here) - but they are scarce at times - usually when its 50+C and 100% humidity and you've just come out of the grocery store with butter and ice cream.

Average trip say within 5 kms of your residence 12 - 15 QAR more at night.

Sheika Taylfetha · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 13

Thanks Millie18. You've been a big help

wilberforce · Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 647

wilberforce · Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 647

thursday12 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Posts: 93

took me a year ta settle in & still settlin

stickleback · Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 76

Took me six months, I got confortrable and then things began to go downhill so left. Qatar is a nice quiet place to live but no action.

wilberforce · Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 647

I've been here since King Malachy's day and I still haven't settled in. Too many changes makes things unnerving. The cost of living puts you off from going out too much. People don't go out for a yakety yak anymore. They just want to get pi***d. That's too bad.

Sheika Taylfetha · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 13

Well, I have no objection to getting pi#@ed in my own country but it seems a bit pointless in a country that is not into that particular activity. Other than a reasonable boss I think all I'll really need to be happy there is a good bookshop, a library, a good hairdresser and cheap fruit and veggies. Is this too much to ask I wonder?