A number of questions about moving to Cairo.

[Jessica&Paul]

Hi! We are moving to Cairo for grad school and have a number of questions about what to expect.

1) We would like to get an apartment in Maadi.
- Is around 3000 Egp a reasonable price to expect to pay for a small clean place w/ air conditioning? If not, how much should we plan on paying?
- How difficult will it be for us to find an apartment and get a fair lease?
- We read somewhere that we should change our locks on our apt. Is that custom?
- Are cockroaches and other vermin the norm?
- How should we prepare for our apartment hunt? Should we hire one of these guys from the internet?


2) Are birth control pills accessible in Cairo? If I bring a years supply will I get stopped at customs?

3) We both have unlocked blackberries. How much is the average cellphone bill w/ data plan? How much does high speed internet service cost per month?Are there better services that others?

4) Both of us workout 5 days a week. What are gym facilities like in Cairo? How much does a membership cost and what are the best gyms?
- Are we being unrealistic to think we can go jogging around Maadi or in the city?

5) How much is an average electric/gas bill?

6) How cold will it get in the winter? Should we bring any heavier jackets? Umbrellas?

7) Finally, what were some of the biggest surprises and challenges you all faced when you first arrived in Cairo?

Thanks,
Jessica & Paul

[MaidenScotland]

Cant help you with Maadi prices, but 3000 doesnt seem much to me.
Bring your own birth pills, but take them out of the packaging so if you are stopped customs dont think you are going to sell them on the black market
How can anyone tell you what the average phone bill is????
same goes for gas/ electric bill but power is cheap here
It is very difficult to jog here, plus you would have to do it very early in the morning before the heat builds up, on another note Jessica should never ever go jogging on her own.
Yep cockroaches are a way of life here.
It gets cold and miserable here, bring warm clothes but you can buy umbrellas here.
Does your school not help with finding accomodation?

[masr8]

Originally Posted by Jessica&Paul

Hi! We are moving to Cairo for grad school and have a number of questions about what to expect.

1) We would like to get an apartment in Maadi.
- Is around 3000 Egp a reasonable price to expect to pay for a small clean place w/ air conditioning? If not, how much should we plan on paying?

I dont live in Maadi, but it is a very expensive area to live in. Rent for foreigners is a different rate regardless, its about 6500LE upwards generally. Some compounds can be cheaper but not in Maadi.- How difficult will it be for us to find an apartment and get a fair lease?

Get your work place to sort this out for you and get an english translation of the lease. Make sure you have an itemised list of items in your apartment. Tick them off carefully.

- We read somewhere that we should change our locks on our apt. Is that custom?

Yes do this.
- Are cockroaches and other vermin the norm?

Not the norm, but if you notice a lot of rubbish outside apartments move it, tell the doorman. Leave a little soft fruit down in the kitchen when viewing the apartment. There are tiny ants that will swarm it within minutes - then dont take that apartment. They will be a real nuisance.

- How should we prepare for our apartment hunt? Should we hire one of these guys from the internet?

Try to get hold of the BCA website and there are lots of contacts on this. They have a facebook page as well. Very helpful.
2) Are birth control pills accessible in Cairo? If I bring a years supply will I get stopped at customs?

Ask your nurse for 6 months supply.

3) We both have unlocked blackberries. How much is the average cellphone bill w/ data plan? How much does high speed internet service cost per month?Are there better services that others?

Not sure but was told by friends in another arab country that their blackberries dont work here.

4) Both of us workout 5 days a week. What are gym facilities like in Cairo? How much does a membership cost and what are the best gyms?

JW Marriot is 750 US dollars for three months - less for couples. Excellent facilities. Lots of gyms in Maadi. Go through recommendation.

- Are we being unrealistic to think we can go jogging around Maadi or in the city?

5) How much is an average electric/gas bill?

This varies. Was paying 400LE a month then moved and paid 25LE as some landlords add their bill to yours. ETC. check bills very carefully. Gas is about 6LE to change. A guy comes to change it for you might be more expensive in Maadi.
6) How cold will it get in the winter? Should we bring any heavier jackets? Umbrellas?

Depending where you are. The pollution of cairo keeps the temperature a few degrees higher but in Kattameya, heliopolis etc it is freezing and never felt cold like it! Its very crisp dry cold and also the floors are tiled and the walls high so you will need two duvets in the winter. Good jackets and scarves.
7) Finally, what were some of the biggest surprises and challenges you all faced when you first arrived in Cairo?

Where to begin :-) but you will love Cairo

Thanks,
Jessica & Paul

Cairo is a great place to live and you will not need to do all these things in one go.Check with friends about their experiences - especially about prices on utilities. :-)