Housing in Qatar 2007

xtian001 — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 09:54:34 +0000

Before we left for our vacation last May, we had to settle our rent for the flat as it was expiring while we were on vacation. We had a 2 year contract for the flat for QR4700 a month. At that time, June 2005, Qr4700 was already on the low side for a 2 bedroom flat in a new building. The guy who we talked with was trying to convince us to sign the contract for 3 years but then, we were still hoping that rents would go down after the Asian Games so we only signed for 2.

Since July 2007, we have been paying 5500QR for our 2 beroom semi-furnished (by semi-furnished I mean 3 airconditioners were provided) flat. Initially, when I contacted my "flatlord", I was told that I would be charged 6000QR for my rent. I’m currently paying 4700QR for the flat so that meant that it’s more than the 10% allowed increase imposed by the government. I was really dissapointed as even though my company gave us an increase, it meant that the increase would just go to payment of my flat rental increase! Mavis and I decided we’d go around looking for other buildings around the area and see where the market is at currently. After going to some buidlings, we conceded as most of the new 2 bedroom flats were charging at least 7000QR.

I called the "flatlord" again after a week and told him that the 6000QR being asked was too much and was more than the 10% allowed. He told me that if I don’t agree, they may just use the flat for some of their other employees. I told him that if they’d allow me to pay 5500QR, intead of the 6000QR, I’d be more than happy to accept even if it’s more than the 10%. I called back after a day and was told that I can renew my contract for another year for 5500QR. Whew. Although it is 5500QR, It’s better than paying 6000QR or moving to another building.

To sum it up, I don’t think prices for property rental is ever going to go down, despite speculations that they were right after the Asian Games. You just have to leave with it and hopefully, your company provides you with an increase every year to match the increase for your rental.

Addicted to the Nintendo DS

xtian001 — Thu, 03 May 2007 07:12:55 +0000

I decided a month ago that I would give Mavis a Nintendo DS Lite as our Wedding anniversary gift (May 5). I asked her if she wanted one and she gladly said yes. As I was waiting for the DS to be made available from Circuit City (US), I made my research on what games were considered the best among almost 300++ titles published for the Nintendo DS. When we got the DS, Mavis at first became addicted to Cake Mania. It was a failry new game where you are a baker catering to your ever growing impatient clients. For the first few levels, the game seems great and you do strive to please all your customers…until you get an angry mob wanting their double-layered, customized-with-ship cake. Anyway, after a week of playing, I decided to get my own. I bought Mavis a white Nintendo DS so I got myself the Onyx Black. Apparently, Xiane also got addicted to playing Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. It is an easy enough game for her to play with and just needs some guidance here and there. On the game, you may have to imitate Ariel’s singing of notes, blow bubbles and save some of the jellyfishes and crabs. She now asks her mom "Mom, can I play with your DS?". She knows that Ariel’s undersea adventures is not loaded on my gamecard so she doesn’t ask me. You’ll just hear her singing notes and at times ask you to help her. Mavis and I have battled each other, through Wifi, in Elite Beat Agents (a dance-busting, groovy feet and stylus thumping game) and Brain Training. I guess were not that much of fans of Nintendogs so we just let them stay in the kennel. He he he.

I’ve been playing Mario Kart DS by myself and at twice online. Yes, with the DS, you can connect to other people around the world using Nintendo’s WiFi service. Well, you should have a DSL connection, a compatible wireless router and a basic understanding of the settings needed for your DS. I got mine running after some reading and manual configuration of the settings. I’ve lost twice on Mario Kart DS as I never knew how to get a jumpstart at the begining of the race and I’m not yet sure if I can upgrade my Kart as I see that my opponents have monstrous-looking karts. I also getting addicted to Pokemon Diamond but has yet to play it online as I want to make my Turtwig gain enough experience first.

For gamers out there, I do recommend getting a Nintendo DS. It’s fun and addicting. Who’ll know, maybe we’ll be racing it out online!

Life on the Spot » Mater kadeem

Housing in Qatar 2007

Addicted to the Nintendo DS