Moving to Sharm el Sheikh??

[queenie40something]

Hi New Gal - very very wise words of advise - thankyou for your kind words.

Good luck to both of you and all the very best with your new lives and ventures.

[masr8]

Originally Posted by laurensilver

Hi
Did you start out in sharm? I have met a few people in sharm, so will be nice to have a few friends to help me get on my feet.
I understand it will be hard, and as a girl alone there are obvious dangers.
Where are you living now? As you have stayed 3 years, i am guessing it was a good move for you?? I am very outgoing and independent, so dispite the usual nervousness i am confident of making it work.
I am almost certain i want to make this change, i do worry i will maybe have regrets, but rather regret i came then regret i missed the chance.
Please forward me anything you think relevant.
Lauren

Hi, I posted a reply but my internet went down - so hope I am not repeating myself! I initially wanted to start out in Sharm and my friend and I looked for jobs but there wasnt anything suitable. So we ended up in Cairo. And for me, personally, it turned out to be the best decision as there is so much for me to do here and enough home comforts for times when you get culture shock (and it comes eventually), I was able to ride it out. I have stayed three years because really I have made it my home now. I really do like Egypt but it can be very tough and frustrating at times. You are always a foreigner in this country.
I agree with Queenie in that if you don't go you will regret it. If you dont like it - you can always come home!
You sound like a shrewd judge of character and I am sure will be able to sort out the good from the terrible! I would say make sure you find some expats to start with - work colleagues etc so that you can find your feet. Be very choosy about your friends. If they ask for money then they say goodbye or just say you are broke! Its normal here in Egypt but dont feel under pressure. You will meet people you could not possibly imagine hanging out with at home so sometimes it takes a bit of adjusting and not everyone is in Egypt for the reason you are.
I would say contact lots of agencies back in the UK before you make the move, also hotel chains to see if there are any vacancies and really sell skills. You will make lots of connections here and it may take time to get to the position you want.
I would beware, as newgal said, of people offering (males especially) help and show you round. Its not their fault due to the media - but Egyptian men often believe we come from a cultureless society with little morals and are more than willing to see if they can exploit this - no matter how nice they are. It is because our nature is so polite they mistake politeness for weakness and only after -years after - will they admit they had the wrong impression due to our politeness.
I really think you will have a great time. Do not work for anywhere less than 10000LE a month. Sharm is a very expensive country, the rent is high and often the tourguides live 4 or 3 to a room and pay a lot less rent than you expect. Car hire is expensive. I really wish you good luck. You will have a great adventure. If you send me your email I'll add you to facebook and if you have any questions let me know. Good luck :-)

[laurensilver]

Thank you for your detailed message.

The salary expectations you say are very high but you are obviously be right and i may need to highten my goal.
I have been offered numerous jobs, some inlcuding working on a resort. I feel this is the best option as i will have acommodation included and will be able to do with this whilst i find my feet. The only thing is the salary is low.
What jobs do you advise?

Also how long should i aim to set myself a goal of reaching sharm.. i planned by mid september at the latest, am i rushing or would you say this is ok?
I need to hand my notice in at work and also my car.. do you advise i keep this in the UK or sell it.
Any info is much appreciated. I value your experience.

Many Thanks

[Nataliie]

Originally Posted by laurensilver

Thank you for your detailed message.

The salary expectations you say are very high but you are obviously be right and i may need to highten my goal.
I have been offered numerous jobs, some inlcuding working on a resort. I feel this is the best option as i will have acommodation included and will be able to do with this whilst i find my feet. The only thing is the salary is low.
What jobs do you advise?

Also how long should i aim to set myself a goal of reaching sharm.. i planned by mid september at the latest, am i rushing or would you say this is ok?
I need to hand my notice in at work and also my car.. do you advise i keep this in the UK or sell it.
Any info is much appreciated. I value your experience.

Many Thanks

Hiya im natalie. i was reading your post and was just wondering if you have found some were to work in sharm. i am looking to move over early october and have got a interview over skype for a hairdressing job in a hotel, the money is quite rubbish but you have accomidation food drink ect thrown in with the job. have you got somewere to work? were in england are you from. and will you be travelling over to sharm alone?

[queenie40something]

Hi Natalie - Lauren has already left the UK. she had a jpb lined in in a hotel. Hopefully will hear from her soon. I fly out in 2 weeks and if she gets time off work am hoping to meet for a drink.
The wages are low in Sharm. Which hotel have you been offered the interview in and have you been to Sharm before?

[Nataliie]

Originally Posted by queenie40something

Hi Natalie - Lauren has already left the UK. she had a jpb lined in in a hotel. Hopefully will hear from her soon. I fly out in 2 weeks and if she gets time off work am hoping to meet for a drink.
The wages are low in Sharm. Which hotel have you been offered the interview in and have you been to Sharm before?

oh thats really good. which hotel is she at? well i have just had my interview for the dive inn resort. i will hear back from them tomorrow about the job but fingers crossed! yea the wages are low compared to the uk but at the same time better as you get accomidation ect with the job so its not too bad. yes i have just come back from sharm about 3 weeks ago i loved it over there. do you work over there? if so were is it you work? i am hopefully flying out october 12th if all goes well with this job.

[mamasue]

New Gal... good advice as usual about people "wanting to help"...
They ALWAYS WITHOUT EXCEPTIONS have an ulterior motive.... usually financial!!
New Gal.... it's also not always the Egyptian males that try to rip people off...
One expat on the other forum you subscribe to cheated a friend of mine out of a whole lot of money!!!

Lauren... take advice from those who've been there.... don't trust anybody!!!

[Sam]

Hi all,

I'm also a British expat, I've been living in Sharm for three years - so if anyone wants any help or advice or simply to meet for a coffee then just let me know

Sam

[Nataliie]

Hi sam! i have been offered a job out there at the dive inn resort. im nervous of travelling alone however im also very excited to be given this oppurtunity. so were do you work out there? was it a good move for you? i have met a few people out there when i was there on holiday, but i want to meet a few english people out there aswell to see how things are going for them.

[New Gal]

Originally Posted by mamasue

New Gal... good advice as usual about people "wanting to help"...
They ALWAYS WITHOUT EXCEPTIONS have an ulterior motive.... usually financial!!
New Gal.... it's also not always the Egyptian males that try to rip people off...
One expat on the other forum you subscribe to cheated a friend of mine out of a whole lot of money!!!

Lauren... take advice from those who've been there.... don't trust anybody!!!

Mamasue, hiya, I didn't mean that it is only Egyptian men that try to rip people off, that was just in context to the thread convo.

I haven't seen you on any other forums I don't think, unless you have a different name?

Lauren and the new girl Natalie, you're both quite young. Hate to sound condescending but I find threads like this a little concerning, I come from a similar background to the Egyptians, have had a very unusual upbringing and matured quite early and am a natural born cynic and still don't trust anyone, any nationality.

Please, please be very careful. At the end of the day, you've been warned as to what to expect and I find the fact that people are so unaware of the cultural differences very concerning as even if you know them, its difficult. Very difficult. You have to be an extremely strong and reserved sort of a person and be very self sufficient to be able to survive and thrive in these places.

You may get lonely but trust no-one and only ever depend on yourselves.

All the best.