Cairo, Egypt Report of what it's like to live there - 08/26/25
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, also cities in Asia and Europe.
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?
Washington, DC direct flight to Cairo several times a week on Egypt Air - about 10 hours. Otherwise, connections through Europe.
3. What years did you live here?
2024 to present.
4. How long have you lived here?
Only one year but it feels like many years.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
The housing is mostly apartments, and in my opinion, is quite outdated. There are also handful of government compounds: two in Maadi, one on Zamalek, and another smaller one in Dokki. While it's fishbowl living, at least there's steady power and water, which often goes out in the leased housing.
The vast majority of housing is in a suburb called Maadi, and the distance isn't far. That said, in my opinion, the traffic in Cairo is terrible and dangerous, so we previously used the home to work shuttles. Unfortunately, the shuttle service has been canceled, so now the majority of us take Uber or hire private drivers. Metro for those who are located in 11/11 compound walking distance to the metro. Coming in early helps, but drive times home are typically one hour from the embassy to Maadi in the afternoon.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Groceries are widely available and reasonably prices, especially seasonal fruits and vegetables, which are superior to what you can find at the commissary. Household supplies can be found with some effort.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Mexican and Asian ingredients.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
We have apps (equivalent to Uber Eats), which is a lifesaver here. Anything other than Middle Eastern food is a hit or miss, mostly misses. I miss good food.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Ants in the summer time; street cats; aggressive street dogs.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO only comes twice a month. Local postal facilities are unreliable and international companies like DHL charge an exorbitant amount that feels like extortion.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Household help depends on a variety of factors, including English language ability. Filipinas tend to make more than Egyptians. Be sure to hire someone who has the authority to work (which is printed on the back of resident ID cards). People tend to hire part-time household help (and pay up to $8/hour on the high end),
3. 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?
Absolutely not. School-aged children are perpetually harassed, but the Regional Security Office (RSO) is good about working with local authorities to identify the perps. It's known that adult women have been sexually harassed, and again, RSO was helpful in working with local authorities.
The streets are dangerous due to the drivers, and there are not proper sidewalks. Forget going for a run, walking is life-threatening. Bike riding may be possible in the desert. Exercising outdoors is possible if you join a club. Oh, and the winter months have terrible pollution, which often aggravates sinuses.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Gyms at the embassy (cheap) and private gyms (comparable to U.S. prices) abound.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Not as widely as you'd think. You still need cash from the embassy ATM or bank.
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Yes, enough expats for English-language services.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
You absolutely need Arabic to thrive here. Those without it struggle with daily, routine tasks. Heck, even those with fluent Arabic also struggle. (Hardship for a reason.) Luckily, Arabic classes and tutors are widely available and relatively affordable.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Absolutely.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
We are not permitted to take white taxis, but we are permitted to take Uber, which is cheap. In my experience, if you're lucky enough to find one within 30 mins of requesting one, Uber drivers will still try to rip you off. This includes messaging you to say that you need to pay double, or simply drop you after you've been waiting. Uber is far from reliable and it's incredibly frustrating. There is a metro for those who are brave enough to endure the heat, crowds, smell, and dirt. Transportation here is a major challenge, requiring the average person to hire a driver, even if they bring their own vehicle.
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?
Bring an old SUV that can take the rough roads, and you don't care will be scratched up by fellow drivers. No burglary or carjacking concerns, but you will be sideswiped at some point. Don't bring anything new or a small sedan.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Bring your own router with a VPN installed on it. You can get it installed the same day you land. If you speak Arabic, you can save a ton of money if you don't mind going to Orange or Vodaphone to set up your home internet. If you don't mind paying extortionist prices for the convenience, go with Internet Mike.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Bring an unlocked iPhone with a SIM tray, as eSIMs are a hassle. You need a local provider to be able to use a lot of the delivery apps.
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?
Street cats and dogs pose a persistent problem. No quarantine needed. Vets are fine. Affordable kennel services, especially relative to DC. Walking your dog is a problem due to the aggressive street dogs.
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?
Local salary is a mere pittance. Most EFMS telework or work at the embassy, which always needs more EFMs.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Men tend to wear suits, despite the heat. Women dress conservatively, covering legs down to knees.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
We lost danger pay in 2024.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Terrible health care, other than dental care, which is amazing and inexpensive. Pollution is a problem.
3. 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?
Pollution is bad year round, and it's a rare day when we see blue skies. Yes, air quality is worse in the winter. People develop allergies, headaches, sinus problems, coughs all due to the pollution.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Hard to find specialty items, but it's possible. Hard to communicate about food allergies in restaurants.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Yes, morale is low here. It has to do with loss of danger pay, SND, special R&R, and home to work shuttle.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Extremely hot from May to September. Tolerable the rest of the year.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
People tend to be happy with CAC and the French school.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
CAC can accommodate children with special needs.
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?
Preschools are available and affordable.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Lots of local sports classes through Maadi House and school. Outside of school, it takes effort to sign your kids up for programs.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
You'd think the expat community would be larger for such a major international city. Morale is low, especially when you consider the difficult living conditions, and the loss of USAID and ripple effects to the UN and development communities.
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?
School, mostly. Expats do not tend to mix socially with Egyptians.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Yes, lots of night life if you're single and living in Zamalek.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
No, absolutely not.
5. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
No.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Yes, the male-dominated social norms are omnipresent.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Good diving, but there's only so many times you can visit the pyramids. The best part of living here is the cost of living, but be prepared to be ripped off by Egyptians at every turn (this gets old).
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Quick and cheap flights to Europe.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
It could be, but not as much as other posts.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Ability to leave and go to Europe for a long weekend. Otherwise, nothing. The food here is passable, but the quality of life is terrible.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
That Cairo is not a major international city. It's provincial. That I will be scammed and cheated at every turn. That the traffic would be so terrible. That there would be no buses from home to work. That the housing is so shabby. That morale was so low. That there is nowhere to walk safely. That the pollution would affect my health and desire to be outside. That restaurants are not up to an international standard.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Absolutely not.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
love of walking outdoors, greenery, sense of personal space, umbrellas, boots, bike.
4. But don't forget your:
sense of humor. Maybe we will laugh about our experiences here in the future. Bring Mexican and Asian ingredients. Take a small, old SUV.
5. Do you have any other comments?
Don't bid here. I regret it.
