British, 44 — Leave Europe after 18 years for Qatar? Need honest opinions
I’m 44, British passport holder, originally Egyptian so Arabic is my first language. Married with one young son who is nursery age. I’ve lived in the UK for 16 years and then moved to Norway 2 years ago, and honestly we’re nowhere near feeling at home here. We don’t speak Norwegian, hate the dark winters, don’t ski or hike and just don’t feel we belong. The Norwegian passport doesn’t interest me as I already have a British one.
Financially I’m doing ok. I have a full time job plus a couple of consulting contracts and my total take home after tax in Norway is roughly the same as what the Qatar offer pays tax free. The problem is my consulting contracts expire soon with no guaranteed renewal and my employer is a startup with an uncertain future.
I’ve received a permanent contract offer with a major energy company in Doha with a full family package covering housing, medical, school fees, annual flights home, furniture grant, car loan and 37 days leave. All tax free.
Qatar appeals to me for obvious reasons. Arabic is my language, the culture feels familiar, the weather is something we’d genuinely enjoy and the international community there would be great for my wife. Our son is young enough that this is probably the best time to make a move like this.
What holds me back is the current regional situation. Not just personal safety but the longer term economic impact on Qatar and the wider Gulf. If instability continues for years what does that actually mean for job security, quality of life and the future? Is Qatar resilient enough to weather this long term?
Leaving Europe after 18 years also feels significant even if Norway never truly felt like home.
Would you make this move? Any expats in Qatar with a young family — how is life really on the ground? And how are people feeling about the regional situation day to day?