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Hi can anyone reccommend A good area in Alexanria to live? What is the climate/weather like throughout the year? What is the dress code like for women? Is it easy to get around by either walking or by taxi? What are some good social clubs to meet & make new friends both the locals & expats? Is there a school for learning the Arabic language or private tutors? Are there fitness centres/Gyms? Do most Egyptians that work in Banks, Post offices or Retail stores speak english? Does Alexandria have a good selection of restaurants, coffee shops? Does Alex have a good medical System? Is it expensive? Are there any Holistic practioners/Herbalists/Homeopaths/Natural medicine? Are there any Chiropractors? Thank you to anyone who takes the time to reply it very much appreciated.
Posts: 18 | From: Australia | Registered: Jun 2003
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All this cross-forum advertising is hilarious...well, quite tragic really: first there was ES, followed by the painful birth of ET, then Treehouse and now a madhouse! LOL!
Posts: 266 | Registered: Sep 2001
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LOL Lucifer, is that the board where people post pictures of women and men half naked in a place called Fight Club? I thought you were all Muslims in that forum.
[This message has been edited by Lothlorien (edited 13 June 2003).]
quote:Originally posted by timbuctoo: All this cross-forum advertising is hilarious...well, quite tragic really: first there was ES, followed by the painful birth of ET, then Treehouse and now a madhouse! LOL!
Tim, the TreeHouse is a ladies only forum, and unless you change your sex, you won't be allowed to join... although I know you desperately want to...
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Hi Universalgirl, i was reading the posts and it looks like no one gave you any answers, I was curious to see the answers to your questions as well. I lived there for 2 summers some 10 years ago but I understand things have changed a lot since then. As far as the best place to live, I'd say that Alex is great everywhere, but a place on the shoreline is nicest. The climate is very windy and humid so be prepared for bad hair days!!!But it's not as hot in the summer as Cairo and the winters are wet and Egyptians consider it cold (I'm an American I don't think it's that cold but I only visited for a day or so at a time in the winter) There is no dress code really, you can wear whatever you like but be prepared for some flirting if your wearing shorts and a tank top and DON'T try to fo to a public beach in a little swimsuit (but there are private beacher where you can wear your bikinni if you dare) You can walk or go Taxi (you may want to learn a little arabic before going Taxi) but driving isn't bad in Alex either. I'm not familliar with the social clubs. Schools you can find online by searching. I'm sure there are lots of fitness centers and gyms usually called "sporting clubs", watch out for the ones that cater to foreigners, they'll be a lot more expensive. I found that a lot of people do speak english in stores and things but don't count on it all together, try shopping and stuff like that with someone who can translate until you figure out where you can go without any problem communicating. Food is great in Alex! There are lots of restaurants and night clubs and places like that. I don't know about the medical "system" per say but medical care and prescriptions is VERY cheap there compared to the U.S. and (of course) all doctors speak english. as far as Holistic practioners/Herbalists/Homeopaths/Natural medicine and chiropractors, good luck but I don't think you'll find any of that very easily. In general, Alex is a wonderful place to live, it's very "foreigner friendly" and easy to get around without too much culture shock. I hope you love it as much as I did (and still do). Posts: 3 | Registered: Jun 2003
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Hi alice_in_wndrland, Thank you for your detailed reply. It sounds like from all the replies long or short of it that I will certainly enjoy my stay in Egypt/Alexandria. Mainly to the people through these forums reading the different replies in other postings etc has given me a better outlook on Egypt(thank goodness) I still get some rather strange looks & comments when I tell people in Australia that I am going to live in Egypt I feel that is only because they have no idea about the place or the people they have this whole picture of, well I'm not really sure to tell you the truth I think it is called living in the square(Comfort Zone)Me on the other hand...I have chosen to have an open mind & do not believe in judging others or places until I get the opportunity to experince it for myself. At least I am a little more aware now than I was when I first started on this Forum, Thanks to all of the people who have shared their stories/knowledge. Regards Tania
Posts: 18 | From: Australia | Registered: Jun 2003
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quote:Originally posted by universalgirl11: Hi can anyone reccommend A good area in Alexanria to live? What is the climate/weather like throughout the year?
Is it easy to get around by either walking or by taxi? What are some good social clubs to meet & make new friends both the locals & expats? Is there a school for learning the Arabic language or private tutors? Are there fitness centres/Gyms? Do most Egyptians that work in Banks, Post offices or Retail stores speak english? Does Alexandria have a good selection of restaurants, coffee shops? Does Alex have a good medical System? Is it expensive? Are there any Holistic practioners/Herbalists/Homeopaths/Natural medicine? Are there any Chiropractors? Thank you to anyone who takes the time to reply it very much appreciated.
These are really good question
can we have 21st centuray answers to these please Posts: 2457 | From: U | Registered: Jun 2005
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Hello! It's rather late so this will be a fast erratic response but at least It is one! an update on 2006..information.
Great Place to LIve: It's one big city!! with nice areas right in there next to bad..SAn Stefano, Roushdy, El Loran, Kourfour Abdul, El Mamuroa ....it's really difficult to say, You must look ..it's personal choice. I think you may be talking rental..so It does vary with area and expectations. ....to live by sea is very popular..but it is very windy here, plus your 100's of car fumes daily is not conducive to healthy environment.. and very expensive for new flats..or old. Also the summer months are swamped with 1000's of visitors to Alex..this is to be taken into consideration for living on main sea road "The Cornish".
Weather Dec-Feb cold, rainy(specially this last Jan) Not heater friendly so it's cold to me!! Bring coat, sweats, fleece definitely for these months. I think days are warmer of course like 50-70 Degrees faren. Nights cold 40-50deg. Need winter coat but skip the tobagin and gloves usually! Spring lovely can even swim/sun but chilly nights.. Summer hot, hot, hot 90-101 deg. but wind from sea great all times! Gyms: AT private sporting clubs Most non private type gyms are for men only and not upscale! Newest Club is "Lagoon" by Carrefour offering Gold's Gym (opening spring 06 est.) Cost est: 11 thousand pounds to join club for 10 yrs- w/mnthly fees after 1 yr -) Miles of seaside walking area for free exercise! Or can go to Montaza Park or El Mamoura for fee to get your outdoor exercise experience
Restaurants: Plenty of Egyptian, Best moderately priced/ casual attire to us: BALBAA Downtown area accross Carrefour Tekika Grill Good but costly Restaurants Western STyle: Chili's, Fuddruckers, Fast food: (Many) ie, Pizza Hut, Domino's, Pizza Station, KFC, McDonalds, Hardee's , Baskin Robbins, Cinnabon, CHinese buffett style at Carrefour, have at least 12 places there..and Fuddruckers/Cinnabon A few Italian(not real Italian) Cachette score -- Fast food one in Carrefour Sweets or Bakeries galore here and Ethnic foods, koshari, sharwma, great fruit juice places etc. etc. small shops all over for this Coffee Shops- MANY all by Cornish main sea road or downtown or Carrefour or all over These are ranging from the old fashioned to modern type "Brazilian Coffee" comes to mind
Banks, Stores with English speaking employees USUALLY Retail Stores: NOT as much
Attire for woman: Conservative conservative conservative is best bet HAve seen tank tops and shorts on tourists it is not the norm for People here at all There is a bit of everything with European fashion etc. etc. but I would not bring my mini's or belly button showing attire. Capri's fine...short sleeves fine Bikini's for beach NOt fine in Alex. private bch MOntaza okay but rarity.. stick to your con. one piece.with cover up available.
Most dress to impress at social gatherings YOU can find it all here too in shops! Even a Levi store now, Timberland, QuickSilver, JB Collection, ETc. etc.. Plenty of smaller local great shops for the fashion conscious shop around for bargains as usual. Main Shopping Mall Type: Green Plaza City Plaza aka Carrefour Mall area Movie Theatres there as well offering up at leat 2 English Movies each month For example Nirvania is here now already and you can find DVD copies Lot of ride amusement type places for kiddies One great Alexandria Library No check out of books You can fish easily, and rent a para sailer expert here, joggers you will not see many but walkers some...on main road Bicycling very dangerous Driving....hazardous to your health must be highly skilled and patient and adventurous
Tip: Lots of Nasty Mosquitoes come with Alexandria Bring repellent!!or wear long sleeves, pants all times....
Pharmacies: Can get some prescriptions without Dr. written prescrip. Tell the RX your symptoms and violla PRiced inexpenisve
Health CARe: Not knowledgeable on Healh Insurance I don't think it's popular here. I have been to OBGYN, Dermatologist, Throat and Nose DR. and reg. hospital for broken foot Asthama specialist for children and Pediatricians..have all spoken English and were very professional and knowledgeable LOve those fees!
Night Clubs One in Sheraton One called NIGHT Club on main Cornish (don't know much about this don't frequent) ask someone else... Basically not a Nightclub hangout place or alcohol is not prevelant unless at tourist hotels..pay for it highly!
Language Centers: - The American Language Center in Roushdi area.. don't know phone #.
Arabic Tutuors: YOu can find them but not knowledgeable about price etc. have seen posts on E.S. mainly in CAiro area ..
Taxi:or Mini Van TAxis: Everywhere have to know some local tips and jargon which has been posted many times on ES. Basically find out some fares normally charged to certain areas before you get ripped off! Most fees are 6LE-10LE for 6 mile radius...May differ .. Many hand him a fee and walk off supposed to be like on honor system with this...have to stand curb side and flag them down of course! (Always make a point to write down licensce NO. of taxi before entering or mentally get it and then write it)
Buses: Usually Very Overcrowded standing room
Tram available all over for cheaper transportation
You can walk allot of places but should know some Arabic for problem situations or walk with friend. Don't reccomend travel alone in any country. Have known many foreigners to get harrassed but not to point of seriousness however it is bothersome and does happen! AGain walk with friend
Groups to meet foreigners: I don't know this is a big mystery here. There is a British Embassy that may have this info.. Hope this helps somewhat.
Posts: 395 | From: Whereever I go | Registered: Jul 2004
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