| As the capital of Egypt, its distinctiveness is based on | | | | equal to two month’s rent. Typically, utilities and |
| history that goes back thousands of years. This | | | | connection charges are not included in the price of |
| amazing city is full of life and its lively personality is all | | | | rent. |
| its own. With crowded streets and non-stop activity, | | | | As with most cities, some areas are safer and more |
| Cairo offers both a modern feel as well as a | | | | desirable than others. This is usually evident in the cost |
| quaintness in which the city was built upon. Spanning | | | | of the accommodation. Checking out local police |
| the banks of the Nile River, you won't find a more | | | | reports before deciding on an area to live is |
| colorful place than Cairo. There is so much to do in | | | | recommended. These reports provide factual |
| Cairo. It is a wonderful city that suits just about every | | | | information on types of crimes and how often they |
| lifestyle. | | | | occur and should be used in deciding which |
| Upon arrival, newcomers find Cairo to be an exciting | | | | neighborhood to live in. |
| city bursting with energy, color and adventure. They | | | | Expats that move to Cairo, tend to enlist their children |
| also enjoy the immediate and overt friendliness of the | | | | in International (private) schools. A few schools in Cairo |
| locals. The official language in Cairo is Arabic. | | | | that are worth considering are the New Cairo British |
| However, English and French are widely spoken. For | | | | International School, The Modern English School, Maadi |
| visitors who are not familiar with Arabic or French, | | | | British International School, Schutz American School, |
| adjusting to the culture will be easier if they take the | | | | American International School in Egypt, International |
| initiative to learn some of the common phrases. | | | | School of Choueifat and Cairo American College. |
| There are some things to remember in order to avoid | | | | There are a vast range of pre-schools in Cairo too. |
| offending the other residents of this city. Pointing and | | | | Most international and pre-schools have limited spaces |
| using your index finger, showing the bottom of your | | | | available and have long waiting lists. It is important to |
| feet, using the "thumbs up" sign, gesturing with your left | | | | begin the application process as soon as possible. |
| hand (which is considered to be unclean), taking | | | | Transport to and from school will vary widely, |
| photographs without getting permission are all | | | | depending on the location of the school and the home. |
| considered offensive and should be avoided. It is | | | | Most independent schools run their own bus systems |
| against the law to photograph bridges, railway stations, | | | | and some parents elect to drive or walk younger |
| anything military, airports and other public works. | | | | children to school. The school year in Cairo typically |
| Tipping (called "baksheesh" in Egypt) is a common | | | | begins in September and ends sometime in June. |
| practice for most services, regardless of how | | | | No vaccinations are required, but all travelers coming |
| inconsequential. In hotels and restaurants, a service | | | | into Egypt should be up-to-date on tetanus-diphtheria, |
| charge of about 12% is added to the bill, but an extra | | | | measles-mumps-rubella, polio and varicella |
| 5% is customary. Taxi fares often include a tip, but if | | | | immunizations. And, it is important to bring any medical |
| the driver has given especially good service, 10% is | | | | certificates/records from the home country. It is also |
| expected. Modest tips for porters and bellhops is also | | | | recommended that visitors check any other specific |
| expected. Many people rely on tipping to supplement | | | | vaccination requirements carefully with their local Egypt |
| their incomes and it is part of the Cairo culture, so it is | | | | consulate or embassy to confirm medical |
| important to be aware of the practice and to | | | | requirements. |
| remember to carry small change. | | | | Medical facilities in Cairo are adequate for |
| People who like dry weather will like Cairo. Cairo | | | | non-emergency matters, but emergency and intensive |
| experiences dry weather year-round. Winter, spring | | | | care facilities are limited. Typically, most expatriates |
| and fall are fairly mild times of the year. However, in | | | | choose to leave the country if they incur any serious |
| April, it is very hot and there are sandy "Khamsin" (hot, | | | | medical problems. Or, for regular check ups, they wait |
| violent winds) desert winds, followed by scorching | | | | until they go back to their home country and see their |
| summers. The average summer temperature is 98° | | | | regular doctor. However, there are many |
| F (37° C) and the average winter temperature is | | | | Western-trained medical professionals throughout |
| 47° F (8° C). Most buildings and homes have air | | | | Egypt and the U.S. Embassy in Cairo that can provide |
| conditioning. | | | | a list of local hospitals and English-speaking physicians. |
| Cairo is as ancient as history itself, but also | | | | Do note however, that medical facilities outside Cairo, |
| showcases a modern flare. Its uniqueness is | | | | Alexandria, and Sharm El Sheikh fall short of U.S. |
| unexplainable until seen with monuments dating back to | | | | standards. |
| four different historical periods: the Pharaonic, the | | | | Most insurance companies will provide a list of doctors |
| Roman, the Christian and the Islamic. People who | | | | and specialists in each area. Another alternative that is |
| enjoy history will love Cairo! | | | | often helpful is asking a colleague or friend for a |
| In order to enter Egypt, citizens of Australia, New | | | | referral. The common phone numbers used for |
| Zealand, Canada, Europe, Japan and the United States | | | | emergencies are: Police – 122; Ambulance – 123 |
| need to provide a passport valid for at least six | | | | and Fire Department – 125. If an emergency occurs |
| months beyond the intended length of stay, a visa, and | | | | in the middle of the night, one can either call one of the |
| a return or onward ticket are required. Nationals of | | | | numbers referenced above and wait for an |
| Bahrain, Djibouti, Guinea, Libya, Mauritania, Oman, Qatar, | | | | ambulance, or ride with a family member to the |
| Saudi Arabia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates and | | | | nearest major hospital. |
| Yemen do not need a visa for visits of up to 90 days. | | | | In Arabic, the name for Pharmacy is Saydaliyya. |
| All other citizens of countries not referenced above | | | | Pharmacies are located all around the city and many |
| need to provide a passport valid for at least six | | | | are open 24 hours a day. In addition to selling |
| months beyond the intended length of stay, a visa, and | | | | medications, pharmacies also sell perfume and |
| a return or onward ticket. | | | | cosmetics during regular working hours. Drinking the |
| All visitors must register within seven days of arrival. | | | | tap water is not recommended. It is best to drink |
| This can be done at most hotels, any police station or | | | | bottled water or water that has been boiled and avoid |
| at the Mugamma building in Cairo's Tahrir | | | | eating uncooked vegetables. |
| Square—where they are very well prepared to deal | | | | In Cairo, people drive on the left side of the road. |
| with foreign tourists. Every visitor must bring a | | | | Unless someone is used to driving around Cairo, it is |
| passport with them when they register. These | | | | highly recommended that they choose to take a taxi |
| requirements are always subject to change so | | | | or the metro service rather than driving. The roads in |
| checking with the embassy or consulate of the | | | | Cairo are always crowded and during rush hour, many |
| visitor’s home country is recommended. | | | | people drive aggressively. Parking is also very difficult. |
| There are two kinds of Visas available. A Tourist Visa | | | | Egypt has one of the highest incidences of road |
| is usually valid for a period not exceeding three months | | | | fatalities per miles driven in the world. Driving in Cairo is |
| and granted on either a single or multiple entry basis. A | | | | a huge challenge even for seasoned residents. It is |
| Business Visa is required for any foreigner arriving in | | | | recommended that newcomers and visitors do not |
| Egypt for purposes other than tourism, e.g. work, study, | | | | drive. |
| etc. The possession of a valid Entry Visa is needed to | | | | Taxis are a very efficient way to get around the city, |
| complete the residence procedure in Egypt. | | | | but the price will have to be "negotiated" with the |
| Trailing spouses are permitted to work in Cairo, as long | | | | driver. The Metro is a breath of fresh air in the vast |
| as all of the immigration steps and Visa processes are | | | | confusion of the city. Signs are in English and Arabic, |
| followed. To obtain an Egyptian Driver's License, | | | | and ticket purchases and route stops are |
| visitors must show proof that they are at least 18 | | | | straightforward. The first car of each train is reserved |
| years old, provide a certificate from an Egyptian | | | | for women, but women can ride in any car. Only the |
| ophthalmologist and/or physician to verify blood type, | | | | north-south route is complete and the directions are |
| visual and physical health, provide the Traffic | | | | named by the last stop on the route. El Marg travels |
| Department at Attaba Square in Cairo, or at Giza, with | | | | North and Helwan travels South. |
| all certificates, a valid driver's license from the home | | | | The most popular grocery stores amongst expats in |
| country, as well as two photographs, a completed LE | | | | Cairo are: The Metro Market, Carrefour and |
| 55 form and successful completion of both a verbal | | | | Spinneysand Alfa Market. Even though its prices are a |
| and a road test. All vehicles must carry a fire | | | | little more expensive, the Metro Market is typically the |
| extinguisher and a red hazard triangle. | | | | grocery store that most expats choose when they |
| Alcohol, weapons of any sort, drugs, fireworks or | | | | first move to Cairo. It is set up very similar to what is |
| explosives, pornographic material, any type of | | | | found in the United States. The shops are very clean |
| telephone, seeds, gold or silver (except tableware) are | | | | and organized; they have a deli which serves hot and |
| prohibited entry into the country. All animals must have | | | | cold foods, a nice meat market and a wonderful bread |
| a veterinary certificate stating that they are in good | | | | selection. And, they have items that are imported from |
| health and updated on all their shots, including rabies. | | | | abroad. It is a good grocery store to start out with |
| Plants are handled on a case-by-case basis analyzed | | | | because they have prices listed in both Arabic and |
| by type of plant and quantity. | | | | English. Plus, most of the shops accept credit cards |
| The currency in Egypt is the Pound (EGP) abbreviated | | | | and ATM Cards. |
| E£. In Arabic, the pound is called a guineh. The pound | | | | The one thing that might take some getting used to is |
| is divided into 100 piastres, and each piastre into 10 | | | | that there is no "one-stop shopping." There are no |
| millims. Bills are available in denominations of E£ 1, 5, | | | | stores in Cairo that carry everything under one roof, |
| 10, 20, 50 and 100, and 25 and 50 piastres. Coins are | | | | so one will need to shop at several different shops to |
| available in denominations of 5, 10 and 25 piastres. The | | | | get all of their necessities. |
| best way to exchange currency is at banks and | | | | There are various newcomer groups that expats can |
| hotels. Also, for convenience, private exchange | | | | join and there are all types of volunteer work available. |
| agencies are located at several areas downtown and | | | | Also, some cultures have established support groups. |
| in the suburbs. | | | | Joining local clubs or volunteering are excellent ways to |
| Cash is the preferred method of payment for every | | | | meet people and make new friends. Families will often |
| day purchases such as groceries, but credit cards are | | | | network through their children's schools, getting |
| slowly becoming a popular way to pay for items in | | | | involved in sports, fundraisers and other activities. |
| hotels, restaurants and tourist type shops. You may | | | | Single professionals often socialize in bars and pubs |
| also use traveler's checks which can be exchanged at | | | | after work hours. There are also several reputable |
| most banks and are accepted as a form of payment | | | | singles networking associations that arrange evening |
| at many shops, hotels and restaurants. While in Egypt, | | | | and weekend activities such as dinners at restaurants, |
| one should always carry a small amount of cash, but | | | | sightseeing and touring. |
| be aware of pick pocketers in public places. | | | | Cairo is not the most equipped place for raising infants |
| When it comes to opening a bank account, every | | | | or toddlers, but people make do. There are a few nice |
| bank has different requirements. Most banks offer | | | | parks for parents to take their children and most malls |
| services in English, Arabic and French and many banks | | | | have playgrounds as well. Finding a reliable childcare |
| can serve customers in many different languages. | | | | provider or nanny usually depends on the area. |
| Having a colleague, friend or Crown representative, | | | | Neighbors and colleagues are great resources for |
| recommend a bank is suggested before setting up an | | | | recommendations. Cairo is a safe environment for |
| appointment and meeting with a bank consultant. | | | | children, but children should always be accompanied |
| Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are available around | | | | and supervised by an adult and should never talk to |
| the clock in various locations throughout Cairo. It is | | | | strangers. |
| helpful to know that there is a shortage of small | | | | Some fun and cool places that kids love to go to in |
| change in Egypt so asking for small denominations | | | | Cairo are: Dream Park, Fagnoon Park, Aqua Par, Citi |
| while banking will be helpful. | | | | Stars, Giza Pyramids and Cairo Tower. Most schools |
| When searching for a place to live, some important | | | | offer after school activities, such as competitive sports |
| factors to consider are safety, location preference, | | | | teams and various special interest clubs. They also |
| individual proximity to school work, etc., and in Cairo, | | | | enjoy going to the movies, game arcades and |
| traffic is an important issue to consider. There are | | | | shopping with friends. And, they like to just hang out |
| many nice places to live in Cairo. Downtown is more | | | | with their friends at each others homes. Being a |
| lively with the many tourists and a variety of | | | | teenager in Cairo is similar to other places. As |
| restaurants and stores to choose from. Most expats | | | | mentioned above, they love to go to spend time with |
| tend to rent a home, which usually requires a deposit | | | | their friends and do fun things. |
| of three months rent in advance, along with a deposit | | | | |