LadyB100

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Latest post on 29 November 2015 - 23:02

Hi Tanya Many people base their choice of area based on location of employment and/or schools, due to the heavy traffic and time spent travelling. Ain Khalid, Al Wabb, Abu Hamour are close to each other, with Al Rayyan just a little further away. For that budget you may find a small villa in those areas, particularly in some of the smaller compounds. Or you may be able to find a stand alone - it just depends on what facilities you feel are important. There are lots of FB pages for rental property here and some of the Items For Sale pages also advertise maid services. I expect once you get settled your neighbours may have recommendations for reliable help. All will be much easier once you're here! I moved from an apartment with no facilities to a small 'apart-villa' on an older compound in Abu Hamour, which is near a nice mall and easy access to main roads and other places like Villagio and Aspire Zone etc. We're just 5 mins drive from Ain Khalid. Hope that's helpful - good luck with the move!

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LadyB100

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Latest post on 28 September 2015 - 15:48

Just wanted to add our experience of both Vodaphone and Ooredoo here in Qatar. Initially we had to have Vodaphone as it was the preferred provider for our apartment. Their customer service was SHOCKING! (Both via phone and in person at the mall outlet) The actual provided service was acceptable, but (after waiting almost an hour in the outlet to sign up) they took more than 4 weeks to install, didn't keep us updated and didn't return any of our calls when we had enquiries. They also tried to wrongly charge us an QR800 penalty for leaving. When we moved to new accommodation we were able to choose Ooredoo - and what a difference! We signed up within 10 minutes in the mall outlet and were treated with courtesy. They arrived when they said they would to install (within 3 days) and returned patiently several times due to a problem with the TV, which was our fault. The technicians have always been on time, polite and extremely helpful with additional queries and went above and beyond what was expected to provide an excellent service. We would absolutely recommend Ooredoo!

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LadyB100

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Latest post on 03 November 2014 - 18:34

I don't think so - it's brand new - fitted by Vodaphone last week. (And my iPad and husband's laptop are fine). But thanks for the suggestion

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LadyB100

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 28 September 2014 - 13:18

Thanks for the reply Rachel, guess I'll just have to go shopping in Dubai! (Unless anyone has some more interesting, fairly inexpensive ideas?)

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LadyB100

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 September 2014 - 17:19

I've just extended my visit visa for a month, but don't feel confident that my ID will be processed within that time. (I'm sponsored by my husband who is working here, but his RP hasn't come through yet). I'm really confused about the whole Visa situation - can I renew again for 2nd time or do I have to do the visa run trip? I understand that it can only be extended once, but keep getting conflicting information. I'm here from the UK if that makes a difference. Thanks in advance

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LadyB100

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Latest post on 21 September 2014 - 13:50

It is perfectly possible (if you have a UK driving licence) but you may want to apply for a temporary licence to start driving straight away. I've been here almost 4 weeks now and am sponsored by my husband. We are from the UK and I have a full UK driving licence. (Didn't have time to get our International Driving Permit, which would've made a HUGE difference). We both applied for our temporary Qatar driving licences at the same time. (He has not yet got his RP). We took his completed application form provided from his employer to the opticians for the eye test. Whilst there, I did my test too, and they had a blank application form there for me, which my husband signed as my sponsor. (I don't know if all opticians will provide these, so get a form first, just in case). We both needed 2 passport photos on a blue background (if you wear glasses for driving, you must be wearing them in the photo). We then took these to the Traffic Department at Madinat Khalifa (check opening times and ensure you arrive before 6.30pm if going in the evening) and they were processed. You need to pay 150QR each by credit or debit card. I also needed a letter in Arabic to say I was requesting a temporary licence and am sponsored by my husband. (We got this from one of the local printing/copying shops that have sprung up near the traffic office to meet demand). I was given my licence then, but it expires when my visit visa expires. When I extend my visit visa I must then return to renew my temporary driving licence. When eventually I get RP, I can have my temporary licence changed for a permanent one. I'm making this sound very straightforward, but I have learnt that the processes here are never simple and I must expect new rules or quirky little surprise rules to appear with no logic, rhyme or reason. (Or to be given incorrect information from an official source, which seems to have been your experience). We had to make 2 trips to the traffic office (almost 3, until we politely challenged a refusal) and it seems to depend who is processing the forms. Our friends have had similar experiences, with a wide range of differing reasons for acceptance or non-acceptance of applications. It's very difficult to get a clear answer about exactly what is needed, and quite unusual to get a licence issued on the first visit. Patience and a sense of humour are essential to the process! I must add however, that during the process, some of the staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Good luck with settling in and getting driving again!

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LadyB100

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Latest post on 21 September 2014 - 12:25

Thanks for the replies - I've now managed to get a car that I'm happy with - went with a local firm NAQDI, who were very helpful. Hopefully it will prove to have been a good choice. I'd also read the good reviews about Oasis, but they were one of the companies who kept giving me the run around. (One minute there was a car available, then there wasn't, but there 'might be' a different one tomorrow. Then that one wasn't actually available, but it might be the next day, etc etc!). Strong were polite and helpful, but had no cars available within my little budget. (around 2000QR) Thanks again

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LadyB100

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Latest post on 21 September 2014 - 12:16

Oasis or Strong always seem to get quite good reviews from people using them

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LadyB100

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Latest post on 13 May 2014 - 09:35

Thanks, I did see that post, but I was hoping to be able to work freelance using venues other than my home - particularly for training events. Also, I was hoping there was a way to do so legally! Perhaps Skype is one way to go with counselling - then I'd avoid the traffic I keep hearing about!

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