Moving in August... advice needed

[MaidenScotland]

Graham there are plenty of ex pat clubs in Maadi so you will meet lots of people, also a rugby club in the area, and most english speakers on hearing someone speak english tend to say hello

[Riley87]

Originally Posted by CairoPT

Hi there, I'm moving to Cairo on the 1st July working as a private trainer. I'm about as English as it gets in that i don't tan and speak two languages 1) English and 2) English but slightly louder than option 1!

I'll be living in Maadi, wherever that is, been so busy tying things up here in the UK that haven't had chance to find out much about where I will be but would appreciate any help/advice/contacts and would be great to meet people as won't have any work colleagues as such to socialise with.....

THanks

Graeme

Hi
Im in the same boat so cant be m,uch help but couldnt resist replying and lol at the 2 languages, english and louder english

xx

[bellej]

Hi there,

as you're probably starting to work out, Maadi is one of the key expat areas, as is Zamalek, closer to the city. The metro is fine and cheap (a pound a go) and it GETS YOU OUT OF THE HORRIFIC CAIRO TRAFFIC! Anyone who says they only catch taxis has (a) a big fat expat paycheck to blow until they learn the proper prices and (b) too much time on their hands. The metro has a women's only carriage so you can always go there if you're on your own.

There are plenty of salons in Maadi and Nasr City/Misr el Gedida (Heliopolis) as good (and half the price) of the UK who are used to dealing with foriegners' hair, and plenty of day spas targetted at fleecing westerners, while the locals pay a quarter of the price for the same service. Once you've been here a little while, you'll become confident at bowling into your local coiffeur (hairdresser) for a seshwah (blow dry). It's not rocket science.

Also, if you're in the north of Cairo, there's Nasr City and City Stars mall, which has the big names, from Zara to H&M (considered a chic brand here) and plenty of western-style cafes, polar-strength aircon and an excellent supermarket, Spinneys, though your local souk is fine for vegies. Maadi has similar. I dispute the post that says you should eat in Carrefour's food hall, tho. Would you live on that food in the UK? Uggh, bad Chinese and sloppy pizza is the same the world over. You can eat local, I'm sure you can tell if something's not fresh or clean. The fruit and veg are so cheap and fantastic here, if you're a cook you'll love it.

I suggest you buy the Lonely Planet's little Arabic-English phrasebook, which lives in my handbag. Also, PM me and i can give you the name of my Arabic teacher, who is as much a teacher of living in Egypt as well as the language, and she's a cool girl, as well. Pointing gets boring after a while...

Anyway, good luck with the move, it's a great city. Apols for the ramble - anything you need, just PM me and I'll see if I can help you out. No strings. LOL!

Cheers,

Belle

[Newgirl]

..........

[chattabox22]

Originally Posted by Newgirl

Hi.. I'm moving to Cairo in August with my new job. Not sure where I will be located yet, either 6th October or New Cairo.. I'm trying to lear Arabic but don't know much yet... was wonering how easy it will be getting around cairo on metro/bus/taxi with virtually no Arabic... also on shops where in these areas is it best to buy food and how to get there.

I was lso wondering how easy it is to fin good hair dye and doedrants... also i'm tall for a girl so long womens trousers and skirts????

Thanks for all your help!!! (also if there is anyone who would be willing to meet up for a coffee/shopping/cinema when i arrive tht would be great!)

Hi Newgirl,
I'm not looking to be in Cairo until November but would like to keep in contact with you and meet up once I arrive, if you would like. By then you will be an old hand at getting around Cairo.

[CairoPT]

Hi Newgirl, i've been here a few days now and picking up Arabic quickly enough, if you want to catch up for a beer somewhere when you arrive let me know, that would be a winner as am getting cabin fever in the evenings here. Will probably take a look at the Ace Club next week as well as i live over in Maadi.....btw the lonely planet phrasebook has taken me a long way already, it is dead cheap on Amazon so I'd recommend investing!!! If you want to get in touch pop a message on here with some way for me to contact you or I am happy to put my number here up on the board....Happy days...

G

[denisaki]

Hi from another expat who lives in Maadi. Have lived there quite a while now and would love to meet up with others in the area. I find that as a single woman in Egypt my social life is a bit limited. I'm overseas right now, but will be back in Cairo mid August. Would love to hear from anyone interested in meeting up.

[CairoPT]

Originally Posted by denisaki

Hi from another expat who lives in Maadi. Have lived there quite a while now and would love to meet up with others in the area. I find that as a single woman in Egypt my social life is a bit limited. I'm overseas right now, but will be back in Cairo mid August. Would love to hear from anyone interested in meeting up.

Hey Denisaki, well I'm in Maadi right now, living just off the strip and be happy to catch up when you are in town as so far my social circle is decidedly small! Drop me an email maybe? You can reach me on graeme dot marsh at runbox dot com.

Cool, look forward to hearing from you.....

P.S If you are in England, any chance you could pick up the charger for my electric toothbrush???? Only kidding, hear from you soon....

[denisaki]

[QUOTE=CairoPT;158594]Hey Denisaki, well I'm in Maadi right now, living just off the strip and be happy to catch up when you are in town as so far my social circle is decidedly small! Drop me an email maybe? You can reach me on graeme dot marsh at runbox dot com.

Cool, look forward to hearing from you.. any chance you could pick up 0r set up our 0wn thread to help Maadi newbies, The more the merrior. Shall we stare an individual thread for Maadi newcomers. It would be nice to get a group together for social occcasions, sports etc,
Denise

[dahabdabbler]

Originally Posted by CairoPT

Hi there, I'm moving to Cairo on the 1st July working as a private trainer. I'm about as English as it gets in that i don't tan and speak two languages 1) English and 2) English but slightly louder than option 1!

I'll be living in Maadi, wherever that is, been so busy tying things up here in the UK that haven't had chance to find out much about where I will be but would appreciate any help/advice/contacts and would be great to meet people as won't have any work colleagues as such to socialise with.....

THanks

Graeme

For those of you who will be living in Ma'adi, the Community Service Association, or CSA, is an organization dedicated to helping expats settle in Cairo - lots of lectures, classes, tours, events, etc. Oh, and a gym. I find their prices a bit steep - but they do host a wealth of information.

I apparently can't post their URL since this is my first post on the forum, but search for "livinginegypt" on Google and you'll find them!