Living and working in Cairo is a special life experience. Cairo is a huge city, the largest in the entire Middle East. Cairo is a large, modern metropolis with a population of almost 10 million people. Its geographical location in the Mediterranean makes it easily accessible. Its characteristic culture, which dates back to the ancient pharaohs but also its modernity give it a unique atmosphere.
Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is one of the oldest cities in the world and a vibrant and inspiring city steeped in history and culture. In the past, the country went through a period of social and political instability, and many foreigners left the country during that time. Today, the situation has stabilized, but unfortunately, the future prospects are not very good, given the war between Russia and Ukraine, which leads to an increase in inflation and difficulties in the supply of raw materials.
It is also important to know that the crime rate in the city is not high. In general, the city is quite safe if the usual personal safety precautions are taken. However, there is a certain amount of crime in the poorer areas of the city and especially a high number of pickpockets in the markets or in the busiest parts of the city.
Regarding public transportation, it should be said that the city has a wide range of transportation options, ranging from cabs to buses, the subway and bicycles. The bus is inexpensive way to get around Cairo. Bus service covers all major parts of the city, but can get very crowded at rush hour. The Cairo Metro covers much of the city and the fare is very reasonable. Another way to get around Cairo is to rent a bicycle, but given the traffic and the driving style of Egyptians, I do not recommend it.
There are no police checks, drivers, motorcyclists and even pedestrians do not obey traffic lights, safety distances and speed limits. In short, no one obeys the traffic laws, and accidents are commonplace, traffic jams permitting, and there are countless deaths from traffic accidents. This high volume of traffic leads to heavy pollution of the city, which appears in the form of a large dark cloud over the city.
Another problem is the inefficiency of public services, especially the slow and cumbersome bureaucracy; it takes biblical temples for every piece of paperwork to be completed. Health care is in chaos, facilities are dilapidated, and medical personnel are often incompetent or simply negligent, making the purchase of health insurance essential. Not to mention public education, which is not only not compulsory, but also among the worst in the world.
The city is full of life and consists of people of different cultures, ethnicities, and religions, but the majority of the population is Muslim. Although people are generally friendly and open-minded, it is advisable to follow the precepts of Islam when in public places
Speaking of work, Egypt is one of the most important African economies. Cairo is the center of the Egyptian economy, and Egypt’s few productive activities are concentrated here. The engines of the city’s economy are finance, trade, and tourism, so most jobs in Cairo are concentrated in the service sector. The only real job opportunities for foreigners are in the tourism sector or in a multinational company. It is possible to find a job through the Internet or, even better, through personal contacts.
Living and working in Cairo – pros and cons
Living in Cairo, pros
- A city rich in history and culture
- Lively nightlife
- Friendly and open-minded people
Living in Cairo, cons
- Difficulty finding work and low wages
- A lot of traffic
- Inadequate services (lack of infrastructure, poor health and education, crowded transportation)
- Arabic language difficult to learn
- Little cultural life
Living and working in Cairo, conclusion
Living in Cairo means dealing with high levels of pollution, very high traffic, health care and education that are among the worst in the world. But at the same time, the city offers a great nightlife, good private hospitals and excellent private schools (if you can afford it) and, above all, an ancient history and culture that will give you a unique living experience.
If you want to learn more about Egypt, please read the article: Living in Egypt pros and cons
