Alexandria, Egypt Report of what it's like to live there - 12/28/09
Personal Experiences from Alexandria, Egypt
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Yes.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
I came from Florida, which took approximately 20 hours to reach from Cairo, Egypt.
3. How long have you lived here?
2005-2006.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Teaching at an international school.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Many apartment buildings. Some 3-story free-standing villas. Commutes can be 30 to 60 minutes depending.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Western groceries are available at slightly more than US prices. Local produce and meat items are very cheap.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Anything other than what you bring on the plane is difficult to get into the country. Books would be good.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
McDonald's is there and other types of fast food. Prices are a little less than in the US. Middle Eastern fast food is available and cheap.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Nothing out of the ordinary.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Mail is iffy. Federal Express is available.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
We did not use any, but people are available.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
There are private country clubs and gyms that are nice and inexpensive ($100 to $200 per year).
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
HSBC has several branches, and ATMs are available at the mall. Larger stores take credit/debit cards.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Some are available, but I don't know details.
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Cable was available with some US shows for US$30 per month.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
I learned the alphabet, numbers, and 150 words, which was helpful. Many people speak some English, but few speak a lot.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Public transportation is not very accessible. Taxis and drivers are cheap ($3.00 US can take you almost anywhere), so it could be doable.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Westerners do not take local buses and trains. They are too crowded. Taxis are cheap, and the train to Cairo is cheap and safe.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Cars can be bought locally. It is difficult to bring anything in. It is relatively cheap to own and operate a car, but traffic and drivers are insane, and I would not drive there (although we had friends that did).
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Dial-up internet was free. High-speed ran around US$40 US a month, with decent speed and reliability.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Providers have changed since we were there, but service is cheap and available.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
2. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Few but possible.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Dressy casual.
Health & Safety:
1. Pollution index (Good, Moderate, Unhealthy, or Very Unhealthy)?
Moderate. Lots of cars, but the air is mostly clear due to frequent breezes from the Mediterranean.
2. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Alexandra is a very safe city to walk in. In one year I was asked for money by some children 2 or 3 times. We heard from some other Westerners that single young women had been verbally harassed.
3. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
There are some western-educated doctors around. We were warned against going to the dentist here.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Hot and humid summers, cold and rainy winters.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Schutz has a good reputation and nice facilities. American School of Alexandria (where I taught) is smaller and is 30 minutes away from the center of Alex. All international schools are mainly attended by wealthy Egyptians. They will have their good and bad points, but all are workable.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
ASA has a small special-needs program for students with mild to moderate disabilities.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Care is available at fairly reasonable prices.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Schutz has good sports programs, and some of the country clubs do as well.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Fairly small.
2. Morale among expats:
Poor to good. Lots of grousing if you come expecting Western living.
3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Some decent restaurants and cafes.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Alex is what you make of it. There are some parks and beaches and a western-style mall. There is a small expat community, and singles will have to work hard to find company.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Any homosexual activity is illegal and very underground (and quite common, apparently).
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
We never encountered any problems, and the people of Alex are very friendly. Coptic Christians in Egypt do have problems, though. Egypt is a very Muslim country.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
There are many historical sites in the city and within short drives. Cairo and the Great Pyramids are a 2-hour train ride away.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Jewelry, rugs, artifacts.
9. Can you save money?
Yes. We were able to save one person's salary with the school paying for housing.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes. The people were very friendly, and the travel/sightseeing within the country was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
extra clothes.
3. But don't forget your:
books.
4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
