Anyone planning to relocate to a new country generally has questions about what life will be like once they get there. It’s always an adjustment, but one of the most commonly asked questions is in regards the cost of living. If you are planning on making the move to Doha, Qatar, then it goes without saying that you will want a basic idea of how expensive it is to live there. Whether it’s an increase or a decrease in cost will depend on where you are moving from, as well as the type of lifestyle that you choose to live. Let’s try to break it down a little.
On average, the cost of your accommodations in Doha will account for roughly one-third of your monthly income, assuming that we are talking about a one income family. Of course, you can choose to live in a more modestly priced rental property, of which there are plenty to choose from. If you are moving to Doha to work on contract with a company, there is also the possibility that your furnished accommodations will be provided for you either free or at a lower cost, so that is something worth remembering. Rentals run the gamut from QR700 to the top of the range, which would be a 3-bedroom space in the city, of QR15000.
One area where you are likely to see a real savings is in the cost of transportation. Renting a taxi to get around is not going to cost you an arm and a leg, with the starting rate coming in at QR10, with QR1.90 added for each kilometer thereafter. If you are planning on driving your own vehicle, you can get a very good second-hand car at a reasonable rate. You are also going to find that gas is likely a whole lot cheaper than what you are used to, which is why buying a car in Doha seems like such a great idea.
If you are traveling as a family, education may be added to your cost of living. This is where things can start to get a little pricy, but again, there are schools devoted to people from different parts of the world, so costs will vary. It really does depend where you are coming from and what you are after. Another expense that may be more than you are used to is food. Since the vast majority of the food you will buy is imported, you are going to pay a little more than you might have expected.
In terms of utilities you are going to be pleased to learn that many are partially subsidized by the government. That said, you are going to be running your AC on high all through the summer months, so expect a spike there, which may mean higher costs than you are used to if you come from a cooler climate. Entertainment costs vary in price, depending on what you do, but end up being roughly the same as you would expect to pay in any major European city.
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