| German expat Cathy, who works for a clothing company, shares what it's like to live in Egypt -- a land of mystically ancient and glorious history. Egypt may not be the ideal location for first-time expats, and Cathy helps to provide helpful information and tips on the practical aspects of living in the land of the pharaohs. |
 Cathy Heinemann |
-Where were you born?
I was born in Germany, in a small town called Dinslaken. It's north of Duesseldorf.
-In which country and city are you living now?
I live in Egypt now, in a suburb of Cairo called Maadi.
-Are you living alone or with your family?
I live alone, with 3 cats to keep me company.
-How long have you been living in Egypt?
I have been living in Cairo for about 5 years. Before that I lived in Alexandria for slightly over 2 years.
-What is your age?
I am 38.
-When did you come up with the idea of living in Egypt?
In early 2000 I was made redundant in my then current job. I started looking for a new employer and this opportunity in Alexandria arose. I had never been to Egypt, so I thought, "Why not?"
-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
Getting a visa was very easy with a German passport. The first working permit took several months to get through.
-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
I already had an international medical insurance, as I moved from another off-shore position. Getting that was easy, if expensive.
-How do you make your living in Egypt? Do you have any type of income generated?
I work for an Israeli clothing company. We manufacture garments for the European and American market. I got the job through a private job agency in the UK. It was pure coincidence that I ended up in Egypt. I had job interviews for positions in Thailand and Sri Lanka as well at the time and this one just worked out first.
-Do you speak Arabic and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
My Arabic is pretty poor after 7 years in the country. I get along. It is certainly beneficial to speak the language to get around on a daily basis. Observing local customs is very important, after all we are guests in our host country. As a woman in a Muslim country, working in a predominant Muslim setting, I have to adjust to local customs at least to some degree. Otherwise I would not be able to function efficiently. One example - I dress accordingly - not too figure hugging, shoulders and knees covered. Luckily Egypt is one of the most liberal Muslim countries in the region.
-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
I have lived off-shore for 13 years now. Sometimes I miss my family, but we speak on Skype every week and I fly home at least once a year for a visit. My favourite activity, when I go "home": going to the pub with my parents, shopping (so easy! Everything is just available in the shops!) and spending time with my nieces.
-Do you have other plans for the future?
Eventually I will probably move on to another country. For now my home is Egypt.
-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
I am renting an apartment. My company pays the rent, which is currently about 890 dollars a month. Ballpark figures are difficult, as the prices vary wildy all over town. My apartment is on the second floor, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 guest toilet, kitchen, living room, balcony.
-What is the cost of living in Egypt?
Compared to Germany very cheap. Utility bills are very low. Electricity bills are around 10 to 15 dollars a month, even with the a/c running half the day. I pay a cleaning lady about 15 dollars for one day a week. Gas and petrol are extremely cheap.
-What do you think about the Egyptians?
That requires another veeeery long entry. Difficult. I am a single woman in a Muslim country. Generally Egyptians are nice people, albeit noisy and very temperamental. I am treated well, but then I am willing to adjust to the culture to some extent. I have been around for quite a while and speak the language well enough, so I know how to behave in a multitude of situations. I think Egypt is probably difficult as a first off-shore location.
-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Egypt?
Cost of living is low, social life in Cairo is good, it's close to Europe for long weekend escapes. For a foreigner life can be great.
Negative - it's a police state, civil rights are not high on the agenda. Corruption, nepotism, no equal rights for women, the local Coptic Christians are discriminated against.
-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Egypt?
Be nice to the locals, show some respect towards them and their religion.
-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Egypt?
My own website: http://cathepsut.livejournal.com.
Just contact me, if you ever come here and need advice or help.
planning to move to Egypt
I am planning to move to Egypt, god willing, sometime next year (or sooner). I am an American, with 3 children ages 16,13 and 9 months old. My husband (whom i am only married to civilaly), lives in London. With have been thinking about this move for a couple of months now, and are trying to work out the necessities.
What kind of jobs are available to us? What is a realistic plan? Will we have to pay for our children to attend a Madrasa (we are muslim)? What about healthcare? Please give me any kind of information you think will be helpful...we really dont' know where to start. I understand housing is not cheap. Work permits? Heeelllppppp! We really dont' know what or where to begin.
Thank you for you time,
Sincerely,
Aja and family
Moving to Egypt
>whom i am only married to civilaly
Does that make a legal difference for Muslims? If it does, you need to change that, because it would make problems here.
>What kind of jobs are available to us?
Whatever you want. Depends on your qualifications and how much Arabic you speak.
>Will we have to pay for our children to attend a Madrasa (we are muslim)?
With Madrasa you mean a specifically religious school or you just mean school in general? Because that is what madrasa means in Arabic.
Do they speak Arabic? Or do you want to send them to an English-language school?
Public schools are crap, so you would have to pay for a better school. I have no idea, what the prices are for schools that teach in Arabic. If you want an English-language school, that teaches an American or International curriculum, it's about 3000 or 4000 Dollars a year. Those cheaper ones are not very good, though.
If you are looking for one with American/International teachers, you are looking at 7000 Dollars per year and more.
>What about healthcare?
I don't actually know what the government provides, my company has health care for it's employees. You pay cash, when you go to the doctor or the hospital. I have a very good dentist, who studied in the US.
>I understand housing is not cheap.
Again, it depends where you want to live. Apartments are generally big. Rents are allover the place. I know people that rent for 2000 LE (Egyptian pounds) a month for apartments with 2 bedrooms. I pay 5000 LE a month. In Maadi they pretty much ask you now for 1000 to 1500 Dollars a month for a apartment of that size.
>Work permits?
Through your company, which sponsors you and does all the paperwork. Not sure, how much it costs, my company pays it. You get 30-day tourist visas on arrival at the airport for 15 dollars apiece. You do not need to have any vaccinations coming from the US.
Have you ever been to Egypt?
Please aks me anything you want.
Cath