Anyone in Cairo?

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Hi all,

Moving back to Cairo in a month and wondered if there are any other MNers there? I have lived in Cairo before and speak good Arabic but am keen to have more English speaking friends because sometimes cultural differences and unexpected reactions make me question my sanity! I also have a 3 year old DD with, let's say, interesting English, so the more English she hears the better.

I don't know how many expats are still around given the tension but if you are out there and fancy a coffee or even just a chat on the phone please do PM me.

Hi scotsabroad. Glad someone will be joining us! Rehab is lovely and green and has good schools. It also has new malls and restaurants opening all the time and seems a lovely place to be. The only thing to mention is that it really is very far away from central Cairo, but most people see this as a good thing.

The focus of social life is moving to New Cairo anyway in typical middle class flight so it is a good place to be.

I am Scottish too, as is my best friend here. If you have any questions before the move PM me. Things are getting much better security wise and with the economy so it is a good time to come, certainly the best it has been for 5 years.

The only word of warning is that entertaining a 13 year old in Cairo is expensive! Pretty much malls and cinemas only. Going out alone also probably won't be an option so I would recommend travelling a lot in the holidays. Also bring lots and lots of clothes and especially shoes. Winter clothes are important because homes are usually poorly insulated and there is no central heating. Good luck!

I thought you were Scottish by the name - classic 80s band!

The biggest problem right now is convincing the parents we're doing a sensible thing - it's all a bit stressful. Somewhere like Rehab which is a bit further out seems easier to convince them we won't be blown up by terrorists than somewhere like Maadi, which might be too close to the city centre for comfort (and the idea of not having to deal quite so much with the traffic in the morning appeals too.)

PIL are in Maadi, as is DDs school. If I had lots of money I would buy a flat in rd 13 next to DD's school and walk her there myself before going to have breakfast in rd 9. Most schools in Maadi are on the ring rd though or in zahraa al maadi which means a car and lots of traffic so isn't really much fun. The carrefour in maadi is always packed and festival city is much calmer! I think maadi is safe, though there have been threats lately against international schools in maadi specifically so new security measures are in place at DD's school. The benefit is that you can live without a car in old maadi and there are lots of foreigners to socialize with.

Rehab has more space, is greener and probably has lots of foreigners too. The ring rd gets pretty busy too, though maybe not as far out as rehab. Given the traffic I would choose to live as close to your work and DD's school as possible as commuting is really unpleasant.

Security wise, I feel fine, though will be waiting to see what happens on sunday (25th january, we are all staying home). Attacks seem to be against police, ministries, local government rather than random passers by and I haven't heard too much in the past couple of weeks. I would stay clear of sinai and the canal cities. Sometimes there is trouble on the cairo suez rd at checkpoints. Rehab is located on this road but the trouble seems to be further along. Rehab is very convenient for the airport, which is good.

Sorry for rambling. I guess my concern for you isn't terrorism but your daughter. Sexual harrassment is a big thing here and it is real. I now wear a headscarf but before I was being catcalled all the time. It was really unpleasant and groping is common too. I am no supermodel but do not go out alone downtown. I have perfected my don't mess with me face and don't smile in the street. I am very abrupt in conversation with men so they don't misinterpret friendliness.

If you haven't been before I think it would be a good idea to visit with your DD for two weeks and stay in the area you plan to live. See if you like it and your DD is comfortable. Rich Egyptians are very liberal but are so rich it is impossible to keep up with their lifestyles and lower middle class ones have a big cultural difference which has women and girls 'looked after' controlled by men. For a teenager especially it could be tough being stuck in the middle.