Egypt is a beautiful country that is filled with many breathtaking natural sites and stunning destinations to explore.
It is situated in the northeast part of Africa and links Africa to the Middle East.
Its history is rich and spans many millennia, dating back to the time of the Pharao and antiquity.
Some of the oldest monuments on the globe can be found in Egypt.
It is the home of the ancient Nile River and delta.
The question then remains: is it worth living in Egypt?
In this article, we look at the advantages and disadvantages of living in this ancient country.
Contents
Pros of Living in Egypt
1. It’s inexpensive
Egyptians deal in the Egyptian Pound.
Currently, the Egyptian pound is not very strong against other currencies.
If you are a nomad, or you work remotely from home, and you are able to earn American dollars or British pounds, then you will live like royalty in Egypt.
The cost of living is substantially lower for you when earning foreign currency.
For example, on average, eating out at an inexpensive restaurant will cost you 85.00 Egyptian pounds.
As of December 2022, that’s approximately $3.50.
Your monthly utilities, which include water, electricity, heat, A/C, airtime, and internet will cost you approximately $38.
And that’s everything included!
2. Historical sites and things to do
There are a plethora of beautiful destinations to explore, not to mention the history of the country.
For starters, right on your doorstep, you will have access to two ancient structures that attract millions of tourists each year: The Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza, which are part of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the last remaining of the seven.
And there is so much to do.
Take pictures of the Pyramids or the Sphinx, go for a camel ride, go into one of the Pyramids to explore, or visit the valley temple, to mention a few.
Apart from the Pyramids, you could visit Luxor’s Temples & Tombs. Egypt is famed for the Nile river.
You could take a cruise on the Nile or explore one of the many sites on the route.
If you enjoy swimming or scuba diving, then the coral reefs beneath the water of the Red Sea will blow your mind.
This location is renowned worldwide among scuba divers and attracts many divers from all four corners of the world.
The Red Sea is also known to host a wide variety of watersports for those that enjoy this type of leisure activity.
3. Friendly locals
It’s no secret that Egyptians are some of the most hospitable people in the world.
One of the first things you will notice about Egyptians is how passionate they are about their country.
They will go out of their way to make your experience a pleasant one.
In addition, Egyptian neighbors are very friendly, courteous, and helpful.
There are several things that are considered to be rude.
It’s best to familiarize yourself with the customs and basic social etiquette of the country.
For example, it’s considered to be very rude to point your toes, heel, or any part of your foot at another person.
Another big no-no is to cut social visits short.
If you cut a social visit short, it may be considered that you do not value friendship or the significance of the relationship.
Especially when it comes to family.
4. A melting pot of cultures
It is more than just a melting pot of cultures.
It is probably one of the oldest melting pots of cultures in the world.
Many nomads come here for the benefits and reduced cost of living.
It’s not just young people, but people from all walks of life, and all age groups that come here to live, work or visit.
Cairo has one of the largest ex-pat populations in the whole country.
But, Egypt is so much more than just a place where different people from different backgrounds come together.
There are also many different religions that call Egypt home.
For example, Egypt has more than 10 million Christians.
Other religions present include Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Judaism, and Hinduism, to mention a few.
The variety is due to the influx of ex-pats, but the two primary religious groups in Egypt are Islam and Christianity.
5. Excellent international schools
If you plan to move to Egypt with children, you’ll be happy to know that there are some excellent international schools in Egypt.
Beware, though, these schools come with a hefty price tag.
These schools are spread out throughout Egypt and each offers a unique international curriculum.
Of course, the more populous and bigger the city, the better the schooling options are going to be.
6. Excellent food
If you are a foodie, then I have great news for you!
Egypt ranks at the top of the list for outstanding food.
Not only will you be able to enjoy the delicious cuisine that this wonderful country has to offer on a daily basis, but due to the large ex-pat community, there is a bustling world of international cuisine that can be found around every corner in the major cities.
Some examples of Egyptian cuisine include kebabs, shwarmas, falafels, rice-stuffed vegetables, lentils and pasta, and bush okra stew.
These are complex dishes that absolutely burst with flavor.
When it comes to international food, Egyptians are spoiled by choice.
From Mediterranean, Lebanese, Italian, and Japanese food to French cuisine.
You’ll find it all in Egypt.
7. Language
One of the main concerns of ex-pats moving to a foreign country is whether they will be able to communicate with the locals as this will have a significant effect on their standard of living.
Fortunately, English is widely spoken in many cities in Egypt.
This is, in part, due to the large ex-pat communities and the need to be able to find a language to communicate with each other.
Another contributing factor is the fact that Egypt was once a British colony.
English forms part of the curriculum in Egyptian schools as well.
8. Housing
There is no shortage of housing if you plan to move to Egypt.
The country has a developed property market and caters to all needs, from sprawling villas to the more upmarket condos and apartments.
For most ex-pats and nomads, there shouldn’t be much of a problem finding accommodation.
For those earning foreign currencies, the options are much more varied.
The prices of properties, however, are on the rise, as the entire property market is shifting to cater to a growth in demand.
Not just buildings but whole cities are being constructed.
Cons of Living in Egypt
1. Schooling
As we’ve mentioned earlier, international schooling, albeit a bit pricey, is excellent.
The same cannot be said about public schools.
Many people have stated that the curriculum is not up to international standards and the quality is poor.
In addition, while English is taught as a language in these schools, it is not always the language of instruction.
Many public schools have teachers who speak and teach in Arabic.
You’re better off finding an international school.
The problem is that you are likely going to have to pay a substantial amount to have your kids attend these types of schools.
The only other alternative would be online, international schooling.
2. Transportation
The country doesn’t have a great reputation when it comes to road safety.
And, driving in Egypt can be a dangerous affair.
Egypt has one of the highest road casualty counts in the world.
The local drivers make unexpected and sudden moves on the road without signaling.
This may leave international drivers with little to no time to react, which in turn could lead to disastrous situations.
In addition, road signs may be a challenge as everything is written in Arabic.
And, if you don’t understand the language, it may cause a lot of confusion on the road.
It may be best to make use of public transportation.
3. Safety
For the most part, Egypt is a relatively safe country, provided that you remain in big cities like Cairo, Alexandria, and Luxor.
However, the same cannot be said about the rural areas, including the western desert and the Sinai Peninsula.
These areas can be pretty dangerous as there is terrorist activity there and the fact that they are highly militarized zones.
In fact, the US government has put out an advisory warning for citizens not to travel to Egypt due to terrorist activity.
4. Hustlers
It doesn’t matter where you go in Egypt, you will be pestered by hustlers who try to make it their primary goal to sell you something.
While being approached once in a while may not seem that bad, the problem is a lot worse than that.
It can be quite frustrating and can ruin your experience of living there.
These hustlers do not only target tourists but anyone that seems like a foreigner.
5. Pollution
Air pollution is quite a big problem here.
And, as many know, can lead to a host of other health-related problems.
The air quality overall is approximately between 10 and 100 times worse than the internationally acceptable standard.
In addition, there is little rain.
This makes the problem worse as rain has a cleaning effect.
6. Dress code
Depending on the city and region that you are in, there are unofficial dress codes in Egypt.
This means that women, more so than men, are required to dress modestly.
This can be a little bit challenging when the weather gets extremely hot.
Revealing clothing will attract unwanted attention and offend the locals.
7. Obsessive tipping culture
There is an obsessive tipping culture that requires you to tip for everything and anything.
Something as simple as lifting luggage off the ground and into the car may set you back a few Egyptian pounds.
Pros and Cons of Living in Egypt – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Egypt | Cons of Living in Egypt |
|---|---|
| 1. It's inexpensive | 1. Schooling |
| 2. Historical sites and things to do | 2. Transportation |
| 3. Friendly locals | 3. Safety |
| 4. A melting pot of cultures | 4. Hustlers |
| 5. Excellent international schools | 5. Pollution |
| 6. Excellent food | 6. Dress code |
| 7. Language | 7. Obsessive tipping culture |
| 8. Housing |
Egypt Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Egypt Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national food of Egypt?
Koshari.
A dish of rice, pasta, lentils, tomato sauce, chickpeas, and fried onions.
Is it safe to swim in the Nile river?
Yes.
Many tourists and locals swim in the Nile river.
Are there alligators on Egypt's Nile river?
No.
But there are a few crocodiles.
What climate does Egypt have?
Egypt has a desert climate.
Hot and dry.
What is the most significant tourist attraction in Egypt?
The pyramids of Giza.
Informative and written in a concise way…Good Job
thank you very much im moving egypt very sooon
I am an Egyptian and I fully agree
I have visited Egypt many times an amazing country wonderful people and a progressive business and social improvement plan.
The government is positive about foreigners and very supportive.
A wonderful country to live in and be a part of.
The biggest con is a noise pollution. Noise, noise, noise, bad music from cars and coffee shops, children screaming in the street 24/7, throwing firecrackers, noisy cars, tracks and motorcycles… it’s hell on earth, unless you are deaf.