Updated 7 November 2026. We moved to Qatar in 2019 and lived there until 2024. This article records our early impressions from Mesaieed, rather than our current home or a complete cost-of-living guide. We now live in Hangzhou, China. The video and its prices belong to that earlier period.

We moved to Qatar in 2019. In this article, originally published in 2021, we share the first impressions we formed while settling in with our family.

We actually shared our first impressions of Qatar over on our YouTube channel a few months after we arrived.  So if you prefer watching videos then you can check it out here.

We moved to a city called Mesaieed which is about 40 minutes outside of Doha.   So if you move to Qatar it is possible you’ll have a different experience to us depending on where you end up.  

The truth is no place is perfect and it’s easy to find the things you don’t like about a place. What we want to do in this article is address some of the negative ideas people may have of Qatar but try to put a positive spin on them.

1. Qatar is Hot!

It was no surprise that moving to the Middle East it was going to be hot and when we first arrived here in August, it was consistently 40 – 45 degrees on a daily basis. We had moved from North Queensland, Australia, where the it does get very hot and humid. However, the heat here in Qatar is on another level! When temperatures reach those highs it’s impossible to spend much time outside.

So during those first few months we had to stick to the air conditioning. We would pretty much go from our home, to our car, to where ever we were going. But where ever we went it had to have aircon. Essentially we could visit shopping malls, which there are plenty of in Qatar. So during those summer months unfortunately we couldn’t be outdoors at a park or the beach. There was one occasion we decided to venture to the Pearl in Doha in the evening thinking things had cooled down enough. This was a huge mistake! We were one of only a few people walking around. Being right on the water, The Pearl was really quite humid and we were dripping with sweat.

The good news is it really cools down and in October you can comfortably venture outside. For us, in December and January the weather is perfect! Some nights we’d even have to put on a jacket because it does get very cool in the evenings.

2. Qatar is in the Desert

3. Traffic and Driving in Qatar can be Crazy!

Some of the driving we encountered took time to get used to. We saw speeding, sudden lane changes and impatient driving, so we left plenty of space and stayed alert. Those were our experiences, rather than a description of every driver in Qatar.

Allow extra time when learning unfamiliar routes, obey posted limits and avoid being drawn into another driver’s hurry. Check current licensing and insurance requirements before driving.

The main roads made it possible for us to travel around the country quite easily. Always follow the limit posted on the particular road; a general motorway speed is not a rule for every route.

4. Qatar is Expensive

Before we moved to Qatar all we read was that it is an expensive place to live.  But this really depends on where you’re coming from.  We’re from Australia which we consider to be a country with a high cost of living.  So for us we have a different opinion on this.  We actually think Qatar is more affordable compared to Australia.  

Our biggest expense each month is definitely food.  We were please to find out that fresh fruit and vegetables can be cheaper if you buy certain imports.  Check out this video where we share a recent grocery haul from Lulu’s Hypermarket. (Jump to about the 10 minute mark if you just want to see the prices).

We found inexpensive places to eat during our time in Qatar, including meals for the family below QR30. That is a historical example, not a current price promise. Compare recent menus when setting a budget.

As you would expect in The Middle East, petrol is heaps cheaper!  However we have found we are doing a lot more driving here with regular trips to Doha and Al Wakrah, plus our car is a bit thirsty. So this has kind of balanced out for us.

Public transport was useful for our family. The Doha Metro has Standard and Family fares of QAR2 per journey, with a QAR6 daily cap when using the relevant reusable travel card. Goldclub costs more, and buying a card is separate. Check Qatar Rail’s current fare conditions and service information.

If you want, Qatar can be an expensive place to live if you buy certain imported items.  There is also a luxurious side to dinning out and entertainment in Qatar. These things will obviously come at a cost.  Weekend brunches and staycations are very popular among expats and will quickly drain your bank account if you decide to do these things regularly.  

Our experience included both inexpensive outings and pricier entertainment. Before the pandemic, we used Funville and looked for special promotions, but the old QR1 Monday offer is not something we can promise today. Parks, picnics and a planned outing budget helped us manage costs.

5. Qatar is Family Friendly

This is one thing we were happy to say is true.  Culturally there’s a general acceptance that kids will be kids.  People here don’t bat an eyelid at kids in public.  More so they are actually acknowledged everywhere they go, people are friendly towards them which makes for a wonderful relaxed environment for the whole family.

You can follow our latest videos on YouTube and find more about our family on About Us.

Before you go, why not check out this article and get to know us a little better. 

A move needs a full household budget, including housing, school fees, insurance, transport and any benefits included in an employment package. Our own spending comparisons cannot establish that Qatar is cheaper for every family. For more of our experience, read our practical tips for living in Qatar.