Egypt, a welcoming destination to expats?

Cheryl Moderator

Member since 15 October 2018

CherylModerator16 April 2025 06:40:02

13255

Hello everyone,

Settling in Egypt, like every new environment, can feel like stepping into the unknown and brings many questions: how will it go, how to integrate successfully, etc.
To help smooth this transition, we invite you to share your experience since you landed in Egypt, whether recently or a long ago:

What was your first impression when you arrived?

Did you face any challenges while integrating? Any advice on how to overcome them?

Are there any support programs, groups or events to help newcomers settle in?

Do you find it easy to make friends or connections with locals and fellow expats?

What makes Egypt a welcoming destination for expats?

Share your insights and experience.

Thank you for your contribution.

Cheryl
禁漫天堂 Team

Farid Almani Member

Member since 27 September 2018

Farid AlmaniMember24 April 2025 17:56:18

Hi Cheryl,

my first impression in the 1980s was great. Nice people, always welcome at any place, and I'd really visited all areas in Cairo, the nice and the poor. The Egyptian Pound LE has had a good value, not like today. I appreciated mostly the food and the Nile River with its water taxis. I was working around "tanash" as a construction engineer for the government of Egypt. I was living in Mohandesseen near the "Shooting club". Very nice area!

After around a half year I met my actual wife in Shubra and was invited to visit the family in Upper Egypt, Assiut/Sedfa, which was very impressive! Great area, in some parts I felt myself 2000 years back in history.

Actually I'm staying most of the winter time in Shubra and traveling around the country, such as Upper Egypt, Red Sea and Alexandria. Mostly by private transport or by train. I stopped driving around four years ago, because its more comfortable to use UBER, Metro, Taxi or Tuctuc. Everything works fine. Still enjoying people, neighbours, traders and much more. And I'm loving the family around us. They are spread all around Egypt. By the way, I'm speaking fluently arabic, which in fact is very helpful if you are living in Egypt.

A short advice to foreigners in Geneal: never ask any Egyptian about the way to any destination. Forget it!

Best regards