Rentals in/near Zamalek

[canuck2010]

Some boabs are good, some aren't. I have heard of boabs being involved in robberies in apartments when tenants are away.

On the other hand, some boabs are excellent. Our current boab has worked in the building for decades. He only gets paid a pittance by the landlord however (who owns the building and lives in the penthouse no less). Instead of paying him extra money, we give him food, such as a bag of rice, vegetables, or even a roasted chicken a couple times a month. Whenever we have left over food from a restaurant we'll just give it to the boab or guard. It's shameful to waste food in this country.

Another thing, the boab collects our empty bottles and is able to sell them for a couple pounds for recycling. Every bit counts.

During Eid it is appropriate time to give cash, we usually give $50 or so to each boab plus a gift bag of food (they sell them at all the supermarkets)
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As for looking for apartments, find out who the neighbors are and try to talk to a couple of them to see how the building is. Also check for current or future renovations. Gutting and renovating an apartment in Egypt can take months if not years, renovation usually involves sledgehammers and can go on into the night. There are no planning laws or regulations in effect right now of course. Location, higher the floor the better.

[expatagogo]

Originally Posted by canuck2010

As for looking for apartments, find out who the neighbors are and try to talk to a couple of them to see how the building is. Also check for current or future renovations. Gutting and renovating an apartment in Egypt can take months if not years, renovation usually involves sledgehammers and can go on into the night. There are no planning laws or regulations in effect right now of course. Location, higher the floor the better.

Also, be sure to notice if they're adding floors to surrounding buildings or not. Laborers are quite a sloppy lot, slinging buckets of paint and wet cement and if it ends up on someone's car/laundry/etc., it's never their fault.

[Quick Ben]

Thanks people

Whats the situation with heating. Is it normal for apartments to be independently heated or is there a centralised heating system for the entire building or are winters so short and mild that heating is not an issue ?

Ben

[expatagogo]

Originally Posted by Quick Ben

Thanks people

Whats the situation with heating. Is it normal for apartments to be independently heated or is there a centralised heating system for the entire building or are winters so short and mild that heating is not an issue ?

Ben

Everyone's personal comfort varies, and I've never been able to cope with just stacks of thick blankets. I need heat.

Heaters are portable electric heaters.

[MaidenScotland]

I have hot air heating plus an electric blanket on the bed and an electric throw for when I am sitting watching tv.. laptops are also a great heat source .. hot water bottle for the cats to sit on,

[MaidenScotland]

Winters here are cold, damp and miserable, building are built to expel the heat.. no fitted carpets or agas in the kitchen.

[expatagogo]

The cement holds whatever temperature it is outside.

I never knew flats would have a built-in heat source. I've bought a couple of electric heaters to set in the room and warm it.

The kitchen oven on full blast helps, too.

[Quick Ben]

Well thats a relief i was beginning to worry i'd be arriving in the middle of a second revolution.

I will arrive this weekend

Any last minute advice?

Ben

[MaidenScotland]

Originally Posted by Quick Ben

Well thats a relief i was beginning to worry i'd be arriving in the middle of a second revolution.

I will arrive this weekend

Any last minute advice?

Ben

Have a safe trip and keep reading the forum for the latest news

[Quick Ben]

Originally Posted by MaidenScotland

Have a safe trip and keep reading the forum for the latest news

Will do!
Though to be honest i am quite hoping there won't be anything news-worthy between now and the weekend