i am living in maadi, and i am here in case u need anything , be sure that u have got a youunger brother here to support on, don't worry if u have taken the step, life will be so great , maadi is a good society ,

I don't usually post, I just like to read about what's been going on in Egypt since I left. Anyhow, I finally feel that I have something useful that I can contribute.

Congrats on the job! I worked in Egypt for 3 years teaching English and it was AWESOME! I'm back home in Canada now but miss Cairo terribly.

I lived in a very quiet area called New Maadi but often wished I had found a place in Degla (a very small part of Maadi, where the CAC is located, lots of cute little shops, but somewhat isolated) or Maadi (lots of expats, good gyms, good restaurants, good supermarkets). Many of my friends lived in Heliopolis and Zamalek and were very happy there. I used taxis a lot so it didn't really matter that much where I lived in the end.

I'm not sure how you can go about finding an apartment. I was lucky in that I immediately met someone who knew someone who was renting out an apartment. Does the school not find an apartment for you? I would suggest trying to contact some of the teachers that are currently working at the school that hired you-they will probably be very helpful.

Now for the fun part-the social life in Cairo is amazing-I seriously have been so bored since I left Cairo! So many incredible people (expats and Egyptians), great restaurants, great parties, great diving...I don't even know where to start. Then there's the traveling-Sharm, Dahab, Hurghada, Siwa, Mursa Mutrooh,...

Anyhow, it needs to be said that it did take me a while to get used to living in Cairo. I was really naive and seemed to have a knack for getting into trouble. Luckily, I smartened up (a little).

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Originally posted by carrie123:
I have a teaching job starting in cario in Sept for an international school. I am from London, 29 year old female. What is the socail life like out there? have heard Ma'adi is the place to live, can anyone recommend any particular parts or apartments , any pointers really gratefully recieved. thanks

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please post your email and i'll write you directly. i travel a lot btw london/cairo and having lived in both places can probably answer a lot of your questions.

don't worry , here is my email
basselamir@masrawy.com
send to me any question u want

Most of the people that live in Maadi do so for a variety of reasons
1 - They have kids that need to go to CAC to school
2 - They are working a job that will rent them a very nice expensive flat in a westernized neighborhood
3 - They are afraid of the rest of Cairo

I live in Heliopolis, and I wouldn't suggest that it is the best end of town for someone your age as I think you might get a little bored, but if your school is in Heliopolis or there are a number of other teachers living here from your school (MES has many, as does AIS) you'd have friends around.

Your school may already have a flat picked out for you, or only provide transport to school from certain neighborhoods. Check this out before making any final decisions.

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Originally posted by Debbie:
I'm going to be the voice here that says DON'T LIVE IN MAADI!!! If you are close to 30 and single, then Zamalek is the best place to live, if you can afford it.

Most of the people that live in Maadi do so for a variety of reasons
1 - They have kids that need to go to CAC to school
2 - They are working a job that will rent them a very nice expensive flat in a westernized neighborhood
3 - They are afraid of the rest of Cairo

I live in Heliopolis, and I wouldn't suggest that it is the best end of town for someone your age as I think you might get a little bored, but if your school is in Heliopolis or there are a number of other teachers living here from your school (MES has many, as does AIS) you'd have friends around.

Your school may already have a flat picked out for you, or only provide transport to school from certain neighborhoods. Check this out before making any final decisions.

It might help if you were to tell us which school you will be working for. We might know some teachers from there to introduce you to.

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I am surprised at Debbie's thesis about Maadi, and I doubt the motives behind it. You got all wrong!!!. Maadi is not a small place!!. It depends on where you prefer to live in Maadi. I live in a wonderful neighbourhood (Degla) Maadi. For your information, one of my friends has just got a two-bedroom apartment (in Degla) for an Irish lady who is also a teacher. Yes, Zamalek is great but it could be very boring there. I have lived there before. Debbie's advice is misleading. My advice is this: if someone told you Maadi is great, then it is infact great and you should put it in your plans. See if you get reach those who said they can be of "real help" to you in Maadi and get them to give you what they have. In fact, I am one of those who will can direct you to dependable real estate agents (non-Egyptian), who know exactly what you may want.Wishing you the best in Egypt.Sani

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Originally posted by Debbie:
I'm going to be the voice here that says DON'T LIVE IN MAADI!!! If you are close to 30 and single, then Zamalek is the best place to live, if you can afford it.

Most of the people that live in Maadi do so for a variety of reasons
1 - They have kids that need to go to CAC to school
2 - They are working a job that will rent them a very nice expensive flat in a westernized neighborhood
3 - They are afraid of the rest of Cairo

I live in Heliopolis, and I wouldn't suggest that it is the best end of town for someone your age as I think you might get a little bored, but if your school is in Heliopolis or there are a number of other teachers living here from your school (MES has many, as does AIS) you'd have friends around.

Your school may already have a flat picked out for you, or only provide transport to school from certain neighborhoods. Check this out before making any final decisions.

It might help if you were to tell us which school you will be working for. We might know some teachers from there to introduce you to.

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Nsani: Doubting Debbie's Motives?? Debbie's advice is misleading.

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Originally posted by Jennifer:
Nsani, it sounds to me like YOU are the one with ulterior motives. If someone says Maadi is great, believe them and come to me for real estate info? But if someone says Zamelek is great, or ever greater, she must own stock in the Zamelek paving Co or something?

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Originally posted by Debbie:
Nsani - My information IS NOT misleading, it mearly gives a different view point. I know all the people living in Maadi, think it is the be-all end-all of living in Cairo, and I also know too many of them that won't go outside of Maadi, even for a Friday out. To me, that is sad that they become so closed minded that the Khan el Khalili or Zamalek or any other area outside of their beloved community becomes too difficult to get to, or too far away to consider venturing.

Digla is beautiful and a nice area. No arguement there, but other than a baseball field, what does Digla have, that Zamalek doesn't have more of, for fun for a 30 yr old single person? Prices on flats will be pretty equal for both areas...if you look hard enough you can find affordable in both, or expensive.

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Maddi is more convenient for families rather than singles

it depends on where the school is , Maddi is the best if the school in area like Qatameia, New Cairo or Isamelia highway

however , if the school is in downtown , then Maddi is not the best option and I recommend Zamalek

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Originally posted by Nsani:
Debbie,
Are you sure you "know all the people living in Maadi......"? Do you know me? Just kidding!!. I said in a way I believe in what you are saying. Once in Maadi, it becomes very difficult for you to ever get out of it but don't you think people love this? What other things do you I cannot do because I am in Maadi? I think almost everyone is here for a puprpose. If you choose a location, then it should match with your needs of your mission here. Concerning recreation, there is more than you mentioned. By the way, we live in Degla but go for our sports in El Gezira (in Zamalek). This is quite refreshing. This does not mean I could not go for sports in Maadi and that there are no facilities there. Again, your hypothesis that you know all the people in Maadi does not fit well here. However, we all agree that Egypt is a lovely place to be (?), so no matter where we live, let's find happiness within us and not in the surroundings.

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as to my opinion, i don't like maadi either, but i think that zamalek will be too expensive for you on a teacher's salary, unless you have roomates. also landlords there prefer to rent in hard currency, which you should NOT do. always rent in LE.

i'd opt for mohandessin/dokki, which is just across from zamalek but at almost 1/2 the cost.

but. if your school is in maadi -- stay in maadi and try to get a roomate from your school. typically, it's anywhere btw 30-60 minutes each way btw maadi-zamalek (yes sometimes it's only 20 minutes, but i found it always took me at least 45 min. and yes there's a metro, but by the time you account for getting to/from the metro stations, you're still looking at 1/2 hr).

i am living in maadi all my life , so maadi has advantages and disadvantages
adv: 1) quite place , classy , closed society , nearly most ppl knows eachothers even by their looks, esecially to those who spent lpng time there or going to maadi club
2) u don't go outside maadi much , just because u feel u don't need anything more, cuz u have all u want here
3) suitable society for non egyptians, singles or not,
4)u can find all categories of livings there, starting from rich to poor, all over maadi , in degla till old maadi
5)it is easy to make friends here

disadv.:
1) very quite nearly dead after 10 pm except week ends,
2) if u r working outside maadid ,then it willl be tiring to go out everyday , as u will suffer traffic which rarely be found in maadi

look folks, i am not defending maadi ,debbie had a good point of view , and i am sorry nsani , but u were so offensive,
but it all depends on the work location .
then it is possible to relocate at anytime.

do uknow what is our problem nsani ? we didn't learn to listen and think ,