This is a summary of various e-mails I sent where many people were asking the same questions for the tenth time.

Q:How are the people?
Q: How is the weather?
Q:How is the housing?
Q:Where can I find more information?
Q: What to bring and what to leave? 
Q: Camping
Q: Electrical appliances
Q: What is an average salary for expats? 
Q: How much should I negotiate?
Q: Cost of living in Qatar
Q: How about an average car, second hand?
Q: Price of petrol

How are the people?

A: They are very friendly. Family oriented. Polite. Have a high level of education (compared to RSA)

They drive like maniacs!

More than 80% of the population consist of ex-pat's, mainly Indian, Pakistani and Indonesian. And USA, Canada, British, Australian, and lately, South African.

How is the weather?

It is the hottest I have ever felt. When I came here in August, the temperature reached 50degC with high humidity. By November it has cooled down a lot, and we are even hisitant to go for a swim lately.

But, they are well prepared for the heat. All buildings and cars are air conditioned. Our 3 bedroom house has 8 air conditioners! During the hot times of the year, the sea water and pool water is nice and hot as well. It compares to Badplaas.

How is the housing?

This is the best house we have stayed in yet. We have a 3 bedroom duplex, with large dining room, sitting room, TV room, and reception area. It has a balcony on the second floor. The kitchen is spacious, and was equiped with a fridge, stove, dishwasher, and washing machine when we arrived.

Our "villa" is in a "compound" (what they call a "complex"), with security gates (24 hour manned). The culture here likes high walls around compounds.

We have a common swimming pool and recreational building. A gym with some basic equipment is also available.

We were able to fully furnish the house with the funds from RasGas.

Have a look at some pictures.

Where can I find more information?

Search the web. Everything I found in books on Qatar, I also found on the internet. If that fails, please feel free to mail me at: halberts@qatar.net.qa. There is also a list of links to good sites on the South Africans in Qatar web page, and I also have a list of links on my web page.

For recruitment, speak to Dave Beattie at Direction Recruitment Group ( drg@icon.co.za ).

Q: What to bring and what to leave?
A: Bring grandma's black and white photo - that is what turns "a home" into "home sweet home". Other than that, you have two choices: 
1) Air freight the valuables, and buy the rest here. It is fast, but limits the volume. 
2) Bring a container by sea. It is slow. If you plan to bring a container, there are often people who would be very willing to share the container and cost. Send mail to "SouthAfricaQatar@yahoogroups.com"  

Q: We are campers, is it worth bringing out our tent? Can one camp over there or is it simply too hot?
A: Bring your camping gear! We have camped more in Qatar than what we have done in SA. The biggest mistake we made was to leave all our camping stuff in SA. Have a look at our camping page.

Q: Electrical appliances:
A: If they are new, bring it. Else buy new ones over here. Were you offered a "furniture allowance"? If so, that normally suffices to outfit the house. Do you get a furnished house? 

Q: What is an average salary for expats?
A: {Salaries vary quite a bit. For permanent positions the monthly salaries varies between QR15k to QR25k, averaging QR20k, excluding the housing. Contract work should get a bit more.} The general philosophy over here is to make it "attractive" for someone to come from their own country. Thus there are large differences between different nationalities doing exactly the same job. No tax. No income tax. No sales tax. Double your income. Triple your disposable income. A number of non-contract packages have the following in common: - Mostly 5 day work week, but with weekendss not always coinciding with the schools. - School paid (worth QR2000 per month) - Flight tickets back to SA once a year (woorth QR6000 per person) - Free medical (worth only if you are ill)& 

Q: How much should I negotiate?
A: It is the culture here to negotiate on everything, but only to a point. 

Q: Can you give me some idea of the cost of living in Qatar.
A: Living costs strongly depends on what you buy. If you want to buy the brand names you bought in SA, it is going to be much more expensive. SA (and other) brand names are priced in Riyals, what they cost in SA in rands - someone makes money! However, if you buy the local equivalent, costs drop dramatically. And it is definitely more fun exploring/experimenting with the local products. 

The following is my estimate for a family of four: 
Family of 4 Estimate QR 
Car 1000-1300 
Telephone 150-200 
Water & Lights 600 
Credit Card 2000 
Drinks (Alcohol) 500 
Work lunches 120 
Cable/Sat TV 200 
Internet 250 
Petrol 250 
Car insurance 200 
Car service 200 
Maid Car washer 800 
Food 2000 
Home 5000 
Dining out 300 
Entertainment 200 
Clothes 400 
Books & Hobbies & Computer 500

Notes: 
- Car loans are typically at 0 to 2% intereest. 
- A villa in a compound varies between QR40000 to QR6000. Water & Electricity are sometimes included and sometimes excluded. 
- Initial deposits total can easily reach QQR5000 for the first month. But you should get it back - inshalla. 
- Booze is expensive. 
- Holidays are not included. They tend to ccost QR15k to QR20k per trip. Depends on where you go. 

A lot depends on yourself. What car you buy. What house you want. How you dine. How you live. 

A final word of advise: Money is not everything. Don't save "everything" and compromise LIFE itself. You need to live and enjoy the world as well. Some people save so much of their money that they do not go on holidays or outings. Invariably they become unhappy and leave. Buy a 4x4 and explore. Go camping. Go to the beach. Take a vacation once a year. Family life in Qatar carries a much higher status/priority than money/status. 

Q: How about an average car, second hand?
A: Be careful in buying second hand cars. Their first owners are often very careless, and you might buy a car in serious need of several services. For a second hand car dealer, see: http://oasiscars.com/

New car prices are between QR60k and QR70k for low end 4x4's up to QR120k for general high end. The best of the best easily goes QR200k+. Prices seem to go down over time!

Q: What is the price of petrol?
A: QR0.75 per litre 

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