Cairo, Egypt Report of what it's like to live there - 04/10/25
Personal Experiences from Cairo, Egypt
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No, I lived in Cottbus, Germany, for five months before this.
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?
Tennessee, USA, It was a looooooong flight with multiple transfers when I went home for holidays.
3. How long have you lived here?
Seven months.
4. What years did you live here?
2023.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Study at Cairo University
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
An apartment in Giza near Cairo University was incredibly affordable if you have foreign currency. A large, high quality apartment with good AC. The elevator broke a few times during the months I was there.
I lived with local roommates which helped me feel comfortable in the country, be vigilant when looking for roommates though as many Egyptians are incredibly conservative and will not allow opposite-gender guests.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Groceries were incredibly affordable and there was a grocery store a block from my house in Giza as well as another one two blocks away and another one four blocks away. I didn't go to any local markets for vegetables as I do not speak Arabic.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Crackers! I was surprised that they were so uncommon.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Egyptian food like Koshary (pasta with grains and tomato sauce), kebda (liver), kofta (beef), often served with bread, pickles, and a variety of sauces. Foul (fava beans) or french fry Sandwiches were a classic breakfast available on every corner as street food out of a cart (I never got sick from the food in Cairo, but waited a while to allow my gut to adjust before trying the street food, I also never accepted any street beverages as water and ice can be suspect). The fresh fruit is amazing though, such good guava and mangoes.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
I never had ants, but I heard they were common. There were no rodents as my roommate had a vicious cat. Street dogs are common and they can be intimidating, they are worst in the very early morning before the city wakes up especially on Fridays.
Daily Life:
1. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
Walking was safe crime-wise in my neighborhood and the many places I visited like Heliopolis, Maadi, Downtown, and Garden City, I did go to neighborhoods that I would not feel safe walking alone at night in but I had Egyptian friends there to guide me. Crossing major Boulevards was one of the most difficult things that I barely adjusted to, normally I would just wait for an egyptian to want to cross and walk with them, although that barely makes it feel safer.
No one bikes in Cairo except for bread-delivery boys...do not bike here. Exercise normally happens in private sporting clubs which you pay admission to, I never joined one but there is many across the city. Outdoor space is at a premium as you are in a megacity, but many rooftop restaurants and bars are lovely places to socialize.
2. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
International ATMs work fine when retrieving EGP, but getting any US dollars or euros is basically impossible, if you expect to need USD or Euros get them before you go to Egypt.
3. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
There are so many Arabic schools in Giza and the garden district. I wish I took it but I was busy.
4. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes, sidewalks are poor quality and stairs are common. The air quality is incredibly poor as well
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
The buses and metro are incredibly affordable. The metro is easily navigated with arabic and english signage, but the buses are all privately operated and I never rode a bus without an arabic speaking friend with me. It is a shame because the informal bus system does work quite well for locals.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
You do not need a car in Cairo unless you live on the edge of the desert. It will be expensive and a pain if you live in the inner city. Traffic is so horrible it is best to take the metro if possible and if not, then take an Uber.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
No, internet is horrible in the country and an unlimited plan does not exist. Most VPNs are blocked by the government.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Get a local sim from Vodafone at the airport, the line might be long, but it is affordable and worth it. Egyptians love phone calls and stereotypically are always on the phone with somebody.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Many volunteer opportunities at places like St. Andrews Refugee Services
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Modesty is required everywhere you go in the city, wear pants and at least a t-shirt level covered everywhere you go. In regards to formalities I do not know.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Private Hospital quality was high, and the doctors knew English, but many of the clerical workers did not...take an Arabic-speaking friend. Also, try to ensure they do not ask for more tests than what is needed to get money from you.
2. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Horrible air quality so bad it made me sick for three weeks in the winter
3. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Dust is everywhere.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Super hot and dry in the summer with cool evenings, winter is mild but enough to own a light coat.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Very large and diverse expat community, i met people from Canada, France, and England, as well as closer arab countries like Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE, and Sudan.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Mostly eating and talking.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
It is a conservative Muslim country, as a non-conservative non-Muslim it was hard for me to even consider dating.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
People are incredibly kind and will want to get to know you.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
No, gay people do exist but they constantly face harassments and are at risk of police abuse and extortion. I met a few gays and bisexuals and wish their country was better for them as they were absolutely lovely even in the hardship they faced.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Sexism is very prevalent and an issue compared to Europe and the USA.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Ramadan was one of the best seasonal festivals I have ever seen, so many nighttime meals, and eid was amazing.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
As 20-something the best thing to do is hang with your friends and have a late night tea and shisha, go to an art event in downtown. Some bars like Horreya or Zamalek Rooftop exist, but drinking isn't as common here as it is in Europe or America, and its basically all beer and canned drinks, very little liquor or mixed drinks.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Go to Khan el Khalili and other local markets for handcrafts, every handcraft is at an incredibly affordable price for people with foreign currency, i got a handmade rug for the equivalent of 25 USD (this was in Alexandria however).
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Everything you could need as of convenience is at your fingertips if you live in the core of the city, be it Downtown, Garden City, Giza, etc. The metro is efficient, there is such an abundance of culture, art, and music events both in Arabic and English, and Egyptians are incredibly friendly people.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
Arabic!
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
car, pretentiousness, rudeness, gullibility, gayness (you will NEED to be in the closet).
4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Cairo Cosmopolitain from AUC press, or really just go to the AUC Press bookstore in downtown cairo or online to see what you might want. "Whatever happned to the Egyptians" to understand the economic and social conditions which really formed the Gen X of Egypt.
5. Do you have any other comments?
Cairo is one of the world's best cities to a certain kind of culturally oriented, kind, and curious person. The same kind of person who is fond of Berlin, or New Orleans, or Saigon. It's not necessarily the best city for someone whose sensibilities would find them wanting to live in Dubai, Miami, or Oslo per se, as the creature comforts are accessible but not at the forefront of society, and it truly is a dirty place.
However, there are many different Cairos which exist in the Megacity's area, given that 20 million people live nearby. My experience as a young adult in inner Giza hanging out mostly downtown and in Zamalek would not be comparable at all to even that of a person living in New Cairo or 6th of October City.
