British Expats

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- - Cairo (https://britishexpats.com/forum/middle-east-60/cairo-440878/)

My husband has been offered a short-term job in Cairo (2 and a half years) and I will be spending 3 long holidays a year out there with him - he will come back to UK 6 or 7 times a years for a couple of weeks each visit. He hopes to rent a house with a small garden (he hates flats!) so our 3 grown-up children can visit him - and me of course! Any ideas please? Also any hints on living there? I visited Cairo 30 years ago but had a holiday in Luxor two years ago.

I have lived in Cairo, for 15 years, and have my own manufacturing business.

If you want a house and garden, there are effectively three suitable geographical locations:

- Katameya: this is a brand new area of development to the south east of the city, but in my opinion rather overrated. Friends of ours had a villa on the golf course there with a pool; it was horrifically expensive, and isolated - they felt quite lonely out there even if they were in the lap of luxury. I think you would pay between US$3000 and $6000/month there.

- Mansoreya/Alexandria desert road: I am thinking of buying there. It is old agricultural land and very attractive. It is close to the Pyramids and several 5 star hotels, so that if you want a night out, it is easy. Budget would be US$2,000 to $4,000/month. It is to the west of the city.

- 6th October City: there are many new gated community projects there, a lot. Some are better than others and have in-compound facilities like limited grocery shopping, and sports facilities, gym, pool, etc. It is not a lifestyle for me, but for some I think it is fine. This is also west of the city but further out.

Location is everything. In the last year the traffic congestion has become horrific, and my best advice to anyone coming here, is to live as close to your work as possible. We currently live in the city, but we are moving out for this reason, as well as pollution and levels of noise and other stress inside the city.

Other hints:

Car and driver. Having a driver is not just a status thing, since parking is a nightmare and a driver can double park and grease the palm of any policeman that wants to move you on. If you are going to live out in the suburbs, I would recommend a big brutal 4X4. Driving in Egypt is warfare conducted by other means. Having a 4X4 is also great, if you are interested in doing day trips out into the desert at weekends, or going further afield at other times.

Cost of living. Although prices have risen inexorably since Egypt submitted to globalisation, it is still extremely cheap to live here by western standards. We live on around US$1500 to US$2000/month, and that is without stinting ourselves of anything.

Social activity. Cairo is a sophisticated city, and there is a lot to do, although it can be hard work doing it. Egyptians are cultivated and very hospitable, and love to invite you to their homes. There is also a very large expat community here, with a number of expat social clubs and societies. There are very good golf courses here now (I am not a golfer and can't vouch for their quality). There are gyms, and health clubs. Dining out offers a large range of choices, although the number of restaurants that have liquor licenses is a little restrained. Weekend trips can take you to both the red and mediterranean seas, either by road or by air.

The downsides. I think what gets to me and my wife most is the filth. Egypt and Cairo are unremittingly filthy: the streets are piled with garbage, and even the desert is full of shredded plastic. As I have got older, my tolerance of noise has also diminished. The air of Cairo is filled with car horns, ambulance sirens, a cacophony of loudspeakers attached to every mosque (the one outside our home goes off at 4.30am every day!), human and animal bellowing. When I was young I thought this was quaint, but now.....

The other major bugbear for me is petty bureaucracy. If you are exposed to it, and you may not be, it can drive you to distraction. In all circumstances though, always have small change in your pocket or purse - you will tipping everyone all the time.

If I can answer any other questions you may have, I would be pleased to do so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTDD (Post 4625093)

I have lived in Cairo, for 15 years, and have my own manufacturing business.

If you want a house and garden, there are effectively three suitable geographical locations:

- Katameya: this is a brand new area of development to the south east of the city, but in my opinion rather overrated. Friends of ours had a villa on the golf course there with a pool; it was horrifically expensive, and isolated - they felt quite lonely out there even if they were in the lap of luxury. I think you would pay between US$3000 and $6000/month there.

- Mansoreya/Alexandria desert road: I am thinking of buying there. It is old agricultural land and very attractive. It is close to the Pyramids and several 5 star hotels, so that if you want a night out, it is easy. Budget would be US$2,000 to $4,000/month. It is to the west of the city.

6th October City: there are many new gated community projects there, a lot. Some are better than others and have in-compound facilities like limited grocery shopping, and sports facilities, gym, pool, etc. It is not a lifestyle for me, but for some I think it is fine. This is also west of the city but further out.

Location is everything. In the last year the traffic congestion has become horrific, and my best advice to anyone coming here, is to live as close to your work as possible. We currently live in the city, but we are moving out for this reason, as well as pollution and levels of noise and other stress inside the city.

Other hints:

Car and driver. Having a driver is not just a status thing, since parking is a nightmare and a driver can double park and grease the palm of any policeman that wants to move you on. If you are going to live out in the suburbs, I would recommend a big brutal 4X4. Driving in Egypt is warfare conducted by other means. Having a 4X4 is also great, if you are interested in doing day trips out into the desert at weekends, or going further afield at other times.

Cost of living. Although prices have risen inexorably since Egypt submitted to globalisation, it is still extremely cheap to live here by western standards. We live on around US$1500 to US$2000/month, and that is without stinting ourselves of anything.

Social activity. Cairo is a sophisticated city, and there is a lot to do, although it can be hard work doing it. Egyptians are cultivated and very hospitable, and love to invite you to their homes. There is also a very large expat community here, with a number of expat social clubs and societies. There are very good golf courses here now (I am not a golfer and can't vouch for their quality). There are gyms, and health clubs. Dining out offers a large range of choices, although the number of restaurants that have liquor licenses is a little restrained. Weekend trips can take you to both the red and mediterranean seas, either by road or by air.

The downsides. I think what gets to me and my wife most is the filth. Egypt and Cairo are unremittingly filthy: the streets are piled with garbage, and even the desert is full of shredded plastic. As I have got older, my tolerance of noise has also diminished. The air of Cairo is filled with car horns, ambulance sirens, a cacophony of loudspeakers attached to every mosque (the one outside our home goes off at 4.30am every day!), human and animal bellowing. When I was young I thought this was quaint, but now.....

The other major bugbear for me is petty bureaucracy. If you are exposed to it, and you may not be, it can drive you to distraction. In all circumstances though, always have small change in your pocket or purse - you will tipping everyone all the time.

If I can answer any other questions you may have, I would be pleased to do so.

Great response!!
Welcome to the forum!

rgds
JD

:thumbup:

Thanks for your response. That's great. Contract should be signed by the end of the month so Cairo here we, and sometimes just he, come:)