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Advice for Making Friends in Doha?

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Submitted by Margie2018 on
Destination: Doha

Hi there,

My husband is considering employment in Doha, which comes with family status.

As our  children are 20 and 22 they will remain in our home in Australia, so I won't have young children to help make new friends through at mums groups, school etc.

Are there many expat ladies in late 40's early 50's in Doha? What does everyone do to keep busy and make friends? Are there any recommended groups to join?

Daunting to leave family and friends behind an start again at 54! Any advice welcome.

How does the cost of living in Norway compare to Switzerland?

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Submitted by sabriontour on
Destination: Oslo

Can anyone give advice on how the living cost in Oslo relates to the living cost in Switzerland?

My partner and I will move to Oslo because I got a job in a higher position there; nevertheless, the salary is about 10'000 CHF / 86'000 NOK lower than my current Swiss salary. We are a little bit worried about the loss of our current quality of life.

Employment pass rejection and status tracking in Singapore

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Submitted by manishkutar on
Destination: Singapore

Hi Expats,

I’m new to this forum, so sorry in case I have posted any silly questions. My question and scenario is: My employer (via agent) applied for my EP which was rejected some days back. One week later, employer have appealed on EP rejection. This all efforts are good, but the problems are 

1. how can employee track status of appeal?

2. Can employee use passport details to check the appeal status?

3. Or is there any possibility that employer never appealed and employee have to wait for long duration?

Racism in Johannesburg

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Submitted by Eli123 on
Destination: Johannesburg

Hi All,

I would like to know what is the atmosphere like for black expats living in Johannesburg.

Is there any area to avoid? I understand it is not as extreme as it used to be, but I am reading online of places that invite black people to leave, such as restaurants and the alike.

Thanks a lot for your answers!

Remote working and visas in Seoul?

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Submitted by clarapart2 on
Destination: Seoul

A question that's a little confusing. I'm based in the UK and am looking to take a break next year and live somewhere else for a little while (literally like 2 or 3 months) and wanted to head to Seoul. Been there a number of times now and think being there for a longer duration would be amazing.

To support living costs during my trip and the costs I'll still have in the UK during my Seoul stay, I'm thinking about working remotely part-time for the company I already work for. The company I already work for are based in the UK and I'll be paid in GBP as will my normal income taxes.

Advice needed on schools in Brussels

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Submitted by Chiara on
Destination: Brussels

Hello,

we are considering moving to Brussels and are looking at options for the our kids' schools. We have an 8 and 6 year old who are currently at an English-speaking school.

We are already a trilingual family with Italian and Spanish spoken at home and English at school. I am weary of introducing a new language French but affordable school options don't seem many in Brussels.

I am considering Lycee Franciase for the bilingual program.

Does anyone know ACE of Brussels??

Another option is BIS Bogaerts, but this already so pricy!

Please advice!!

What can I expect from the cost of living in Doha?

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Submitted by Banu85 on
Destination: Doha

Hi All

I am working as a DBA at columbus Ohio, usa. I have 12 years experience in the IT industry. I got a job at Doha Qatar. I have three children. Here I just googled and understood rent and education are both highly expensive when compared to Columbus Ohio. I am basically from india. I have three kids. I need to keep my family with me and also need savings too. How much package should I ask? Any insights on cost of living comparison between columbus and doha?

Thanks

Questions about working remotely in Greece

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Submitted by Ceekayed on
Destination: Greece

Hello.

I work as a freelancer through a co-operative and I'm considering of moving to Greece (namely Thessaloniki as I've spent time there already and got to know the city) for at least a few months, if not half a year to a year to work remotely. I have some doubts about it as I've never done this kind of a thing before though.

Concerns about moving to the Czech Republic

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Submitted by Sverre on
Destination: Czech Republic

I’m retired and looking for a nice place in Eastern Europe to move to. My foremost concern is something as trivial as contracts for renting houses. Are there anywhere I can read up on this? Do they have something like we have in Norway (but which is very seldom seen these days, because most Norwegians buy, not rent), life long rent, where the one renting can move out, but never be forced out? I’m not interested in any big cities, but rather towns or villages. How will a Norwegian fit in?

English medium schools in Stockholm - Parents on work visa

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Submitted by NyjilJoshy on
Destination: Stockholm

Hi

I am relocating to Stockholm on work visa. Looking for information on english medium schools in and around the city. If any one of you have your kids studying there in an english medium school please guide. Whats the annual fees for a non international school? Does private schools have english medium whats the fees?

I heard public schools are free of fees with good standard but is the medium of teaching in Swedish or English?

 

 

What is the application process for a long stay visa for Cyprus?

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Submitted by Denise McNamara on
Destination: Cyprus

Hi 

We are Australian Citizens living in Malaysia and want to apply for a long stay (D class visa) for Cyprus.  

Our plan is to do some house-sitting for 4 months while we look around the island (Western End)

Would appreciate advice on how one applies for the visa and if you need to present in person at an embassy or whether it can all be done online

TIA

Is it practical to keep pet dogs in Saudi Arabia?

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Submitted by Huxberry on
Destination: Riyadh

Hello - we are looking for some advice from expats with experience of Saudi Arabia.  We are considering a work posting to Riyadh, but a key factor is whether it is practical for our pet dogs to accompany us.  We know that it is possible to take them (legally and logistically), but are interested in views on the practicalities of keeping dogs in the Kingdom - exercising, general attitude of compounds to pets, availability of vets etc.

Any advice gratefully received.

What are the best expat areas in Abu Dhabi?

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Submitted by mylinda313 on
Destination: Abu Dhabi

My husband is ready to accept a job offer in Abu Dhabi.  We are anticipating to relocate from the US this Nov or Dec.  We have two kids (age 6 & 9).  We enjoy having restaurants and shops nearby so we are looking at high-rise buildings on the Corniche.  Particularly Etihad Tower and Nation Tower.  Several people advised us about the traffic there.  I have been looking in the Al Raha Beach area thinking it might be an option to consider.  Basically, I'm looking for easy access to food and entertainment, but still be part of a community where our kids ca

Can my ex cancel my South African life partner permit?

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Submitted by Leigh112 on
Destination: Johannesburg

Hi I have been in South Africa for 12 years now,I have a 9 years old son with my ex who did life partner permit for me.But now we are not together anymore but I’m taking care of my son and she’s threatening to cancel the life partner.I just applied for a permanent residence and it’s gonna take less than 2years I think but my life partner permit still exists.Please advice me on what to do at least for the sake of my son I want to remain here,will she be able to cancel it or will home affairs at least reconsider for the sake of my son.

Is it possible to get medical asylum in Israel?

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Submitted by starlightchasing on
Destination: Israel

Hi, I am an American.  If you don't already know, the healthcare system is very expensive and broken here.

I feel like Israel is very medically advanced, and I've heard that they understand some of the medical illnesses I have.

One of the worst illnesses I have is EMFS (Electromagnetic field sensitivity).  This means that my body hyper-responds to EMF fields, and it makes me sick.  (Cell phone towers, electrical power lines, wifi, microwaves, they all make me sick.  Very annoying, right?  That stuff is everywhere in America.)

What are the best areas for expats in Jerusalem?

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Submitted by starlightchasing on
Destination: Israel

Hello, I am an American who wishes to move to Jerusalem.

 

What neighborhoods are the best to live in for Expats?  I am not rich, so my budget is not very high.  However I work hard, and I do not want to live in a slum or rundown area either.  I want to live somewhere that is safe, and that has a decent quality of life.

 

Where to live?  Where to avoid?

 

Thanks!

Questions about working in Israel

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Submitted by starlightchasing on
Destination: Israel

Hi. I would like to move to Israel right away--I feel like I'm meant to live there. I love the culture.  However, I don't have any job offers, or local employers offering to sponsor my way there. It's just me, wanting to move. I have a few questions about how to start working in Israel.

 

1) Is it possible to move to Israel, and then find a job?  Or must I have a job offer first?

Questions about applying to College or University in Israel

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Submitted by starlightchasing on
Destination: Israel

I am an American, who wants to move to Israel.  I am considering applying to go to school there, and hopefully getting a student visa. I love school, and I was in very advanced classes in high school.  However, I was forced to leave school early and take my GED due to health problems as a teenager.  Those health problems are better now, and I want to go to a college or a university.

1) Any tips on how to get a student visa?

Is it possible to get mid term admission into international primary schools in Berlin?

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Submitted by Shruti_D on
Destination: Berlin

Hi,

Me and my husband are planning to move to berlin in next 2 months with our six and a half year old daughter. Are there any possibilities to get mid term admission in International schools? And which is the better of all schools? 

Thanks in Advance

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