You may have met at some time a woman now living in a bigger city such as Sharm, Hurghada, Alexandria, or Cairo. Their experiences are going to be very very different if than someone living ANYWHERE outside those areas. Also living here an extended period of time (more than a couple months) is going to be much different than just visiting.
I have read a lot of horror stories about living in Egypt. Women who came here, freaked out, and left their husbands to return home because they just couldn't handle it. I've seen women who want to leave after several months but just can't because of finances. It is a terrible situation all around.
Here is a simple guide to living in Egypt.
The best advice I can give is to do research about the area you are moving to. What do they wear, how much things cost, customs and traditions... If you are marrying (or married to) an Egyptian man ask him and his family.
Life in every area will be different. I live in Port Said Govornorate and it is quite and peaceful. With a population of over 2.5 million we have only had 2 murders since I have lived here (almost 2 years now) and no rapes or sexual assaults. Living in the villages, women will be required to wear traditional clothes (abaya and khimar or hijab-possibly niqab) if they want to avoid village gossip. Villages don't have supermarkets or a lot of places to shop. You're going to be expected to take on the role of a ordinary Egyptian housewife if you've married an Egyptian. Cities like Cairo, Alexandria, Sharm, and Hurghada will have more places to shop, more English speaking people, foreigners, but expect more crime. Do research related to the area which you live in. This guide will offer you the broad basics you can expect almost anywhere in Egypt.
Guide To Living In Egypt
Egypt is NOT a step up from living in Europe or America. Life here is difficult. The economy is not good at all. Living conditions are much different. Housing, electronics, and cars cost A LOT of $. There are strays wandering the streets, huge cockroaches and biting ants will invade your living space, and the streets are littered with heaps of trash.
Egypt is noisy. Unless you're living in a village, expect noise. Lots and lots of noise. Think NYC during rush hour multiplied by 50. People are noisy, cars are noisy, there is always construction.
People live on top of one another. While Egypt has a large land mass, it has one of the highest population densities in the world. In Cairo, along the Nile, and in the Delta the population density in 2014 was averaging from 500 to over 1,000 people per square kilometer. That means there aren't a lot of parks, open spaces, and 'houses'. People live in large towers in small apartments. Many families all live in one 2 bedroom apartment. And because of that population density apartments are in very high demand and even ones in very bad neighborhoods or that are in poor condition are extremely expensive.
There is a lot of garbage. With all those people and a very poor economy there isn't as much garbage pick up as one would be used to in the Untied States or Europe. All that trash piles up. And smells horrible. It attracts pests by the thousands. Flies, cockroaches, and strays. Recycling services don't really exist. With the heat in summer, expect the smell to only get worse. You do get used to it and it's repulsiveness after a while but it is one thing I see a lot of women complain about once they get here but you never hear about in the Guides.
Learn to speak Arabic. Egyptian Arabic. And quickly. Preferably before you move. If you want to go out on your own, this is a must unless you're living in a tourist city. If you happen to find someone speaking English it will be less than adequate for a conversation and the people who can will be few. This is a country that speaks Arabic. Its best to learn it to make your life more comfortable. You will be able to talk to family and make friends, thus avoiding the feeling of isolation many women feel once moving to Egypt.
You will most likely not be able to live off American or European food and products. It's just too expensive. It's better to get used to the Egyptian food right away. Don't waste your time on bottled water either. City water is safe to live if you're not in a village. I have lived here for almost two years and have NEVER gotten sick from the water. EVER. Rule of thumb. If it smells or runs brown (or any color other than clear) buy bottled water until it returns to normal again.
Expect power outages that last hours. In summer they happen almost daily. Many places also suffer from water and sewer outages as well. It is important to buy battery operated lanterns and store water in containers for washing, using the toilet, and drinking. You need much more water to drink here because of the heat so be sure to store at least 20 gallons for an outage that may last days.
Again, if you plan on eating food you're used to in America or Europe, I hope you're bringing a lot of money with you. On the average Egyptian salary, a man struggles to feed his family Egyptian food. Food that is imported is much more expensive. Here is a simple guide to some of what you will find based on my own purchases (which I don't do often btw)...
- American Bread: 13 pounds per loaf
- Can of Dr. Pepper, Cherry Coke, Diet sodas, and any soda not popular or manufactured in Egypt: About 11 pounds
- Mozzarella Cheese: 1/2 kg bag is about 33 pounds
- Betty Crocker cake mix: 35 pounds
- Box of cereal (smaller sized) 18 pounds
- taco shells: 48 pounds
- Processed Milk: 15 pounds per kilo
- Processed cheese: 18 pounds for six slices
- Solid or gel under arm deodorants: about 65 pounds
- meal at fast food restaurant for two: 60-100 pounds
- Single loaf of Local Bread (Eish Balady) about 1/10 of a pound
- can of pepsi, coke, or other popular soda in Egypt: about 3.5 pounds
- Locally made cheese: varies but for what is similar to cheddar about 1/2 kilo will cost you 22 pounds
- Egyptian brand cake mix: 9 pounds
- Rice: 25 kilos for 15 pounds ( will last you about 3-5 months)
- Fresh milk ( you have to boil it yourself): 8 pounds per kilo
- Roll on deodorant: 7-13 pounds
- Average home cooked Egyptian meal that serves 5+: 35 pounds
No Egyptian jobs do not pay much. And as I said earlier, the economy here sucks. Men often times have to work multiple full time jobs for 7 days a week to support his family. Most jobs pay minimum wage and that is a salary of only 1,200 EGP per month. Less than $200 USD. I am going to give you the averages for utilities and rent so you get an idea of where it goes.
- Rent in an unfurnished flat: 1200 EGP per month
- Rend in a furnished flat: 2,000 + EGP per month
- Telephone and internet: 70-100 EGP per month
- Electricity: between 50-75 EGP per month if used sparingly. If you run an air conditioner expect to pay well over 200 EGP per month
- Petrol (Gas for cars) 30 EGP will get you about half a tank
- Taxi fares: In Port Fouad we have it easy. To get to town I have to pay 5 pounds per trip. Around town is 3.5 pounds per trip. Ride the microbus. Its cheaper. Only about 1 pound per trip here, 3 pounds per trip in Cairo.
- Groceries will cost you about 100-200 pounds per week (if you keep to fresh, locally grown foods). Half a kilo of any kind of meat is about 15 pounds. Fresh is always cheaper than processed. Avoid chain stores such as Metro, they're way overpriced.
- There is virtually no medical insurance in Egypt so plan to save about 100 pounds a month in case of emergencies, which will happen.
- Cell phone credits: about 100 EGP per month
Ok, onto other matters. The military is not going to hurt you. There is no war. It is very safe in 99% of Egypt. Sexual assaults, murders, thefts, and other crimes are not that regular. The military is just doing the job of the police. The police force is relatively small compared to the persons per square kilometer so they bring the military in to help out.
People drive crazy here. No seat belts, holding babies in cars (no one uses car seats), swerving in and out of traffic... Stuff I've seen foreigners scream about. LOL In town, I personally don't worry. You'll never go fast enough to get hurt. On the highway... I just advise you pray. Actually, most deaths in the Arab world aren't caused by war, terrorism, or disease... But by car accidents.
Don't compare it to anything you've known before. I've lived in a lot of places, Egypt is nothing like them. I love it here. This is my home. I wish I could stay forever. But it is not what you expect. No matter how prepared you are, it will be completely different than anywhere you've lived before. Enjoy it.
If you do some simple research, learn the language, learn to trust... You can make your life here very enjoyable. The people are really friendly, the atmosphere is very relaxed. Old fashioned hard work is an important value to Egyptians.
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