Without visiting and experiencing Egypt for yourself, understanding the country can be difficult. Living in Egypt really is an adventure, with endless stunning landscapes, traces of ancient civilisations, and electric city atmospheres at every turn. In such a huge country, spanning over 1 million square kilometres, it can be difficult to choose a place to live.
While work might be your primary reason for moving to Egypt, exactly where you settle can have a huge impact on your experience of the country. Outside of the capital of Cairo, you might initially struggle to think of any other Egyptian cities. But there have been hundreds of thousands of expats before you who have made the journey and settled in Egypt. Let’s take a look at some of the best places to live in Egypt as a British expat.
Cairo
Though perhaps obvious, Cairo is the number one choice for expats relocating to Egypt. Cairo is the largest and most developed city in the country, favoured for its facilities, attractions and greenery by international visitors. Over 9 million people call Cairo home and you’ll find an already established network of expats in Cairo to call on should you need advice. There are plenty of fascinating historic attractions to get stuck into on weekends if you don’t mind the tourists, and locals are usually friendly and happy to help.
Egypt offers a wide range of accommodation types and the Greater Cairo area is no different. You’ll want to consider not just location but security and suitability for you and your family’s needs in Cairo. There are several residential areas that are popular among expats, some of which include:
- Zamalek: A very central island area in the heart of the Nile River running through Cairo. Stunning ancient-style buildings, art and culture hubs, as well as green areas to enjoy.
- Degla Maadi: On the east bank of the Nile in south Cairo, Degla Maadi offers gorgeous river views, landscapes, and delicious restaurants.
- Heliopolis: Further away from the touristic centres of the city, Heliopolis offers good airport connections should you be travelling home on a regular basis.
Sheikh Zayed: Excellent universities, supermarkets, and residential compounds mean that Sheikh Zayed is almost its own city in Greater Cairo.
Alexandria
Tourists flock to Alexandria for the culmination of modern and ancient sites of interest. Living among such incredible buildings can be an exciting experience for expats from all over the world. The Old Town is popular for modern activities like cinemas and sporting facilities while also containing a wealth of bookshops to explore. Congestion, like in other major cities, can be a problem, however public transport can be a faster way around. Trams and buses can be a better value transport method than taxis for tourists and expats in Alexandria.
Giza
As the 2nd largest city in the country, Giza is another great option for expats moving to Egypt. One of the least expensive cities to live in in the world, Giza also boasts incredible architecture and stunning city scenes. The pyramids, gardens and monuments make for fantastic leisure activities year-round. There are plenty of exciting neighbourhoods within Giza, as well as those on the outskirts of Greater Cairo.
Assistance is often provided by employers or prospective employers, so make sure to take as much help as is supplied by local connections. For more comprehensive assistance, get in touch with Gerson Moving Services and receive personalised moving advice from our expert advisors. For more information, Gerson Moving Services can help. Our breadth of moving services will ensure that your international move runs as smoothly as possible.
