posted
I did it 4 years ago. Cannot say that I am a pro, but sure do have experience! But I am not in Alex, but I betcha its got the same type of probs. ask away........
Posts: 1103 | From: 6th of October | Registered: Jun 2007
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posted
my folks are retired in Egypt... I think their biggest problem is boredom!!!!!!!!!
They have seen so many folks come and go over the years with contracts etc... good, long and solid friendships are difficult to find.
I think my biggest tip is ensure you have hobbies, are prepared to be sociable, have things to keep you entertained. (I am FAR from retiring but do not work. But, I would imagine this would apply to retirement all over the world
Sort finances, pensions etc... from your end, post is slow to non existent for us.
Make sure you have a Will... and morbidly, ensure folk know of your funeral wishes. A friend of mine died here and it cost thousands to fly his body back to the UK. The family knew of his intention and had saved for this.
How depressing lol... Welcome top retirement... Alex would be a lush way to wile away your days.
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
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Alex isn't as diverse as Cairo, more of a limited area, less polluted, but as congested and noisy..same sloppy people and more Islamic fanatism. Nothing much going on.. Posts: 3219 | From: Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone. | Registered: Nov 2005
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Yes that repatriation of the body discussion is very important to Brits because your family (or insurance policy if you have one) will have to pay!
Apparently the Egyptian government will fly any Egyptian body home without cost to the family, certainly NOT the case in the UK! Don't know what the US rules might be!
My dad said he's be quite happy to bury me in a Tesco bag over here - my mum would want to repatriate my mortal remains - my dad says if she wants to do that, she's on her own financially Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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quote:Originally posted by florentine: thinking about to retire in alex. i am fron usa and ANY tips i be thankfull for.
Depends totally on your own expectations. What -different from the place where you live righ now- are you hoping to find in Alexandria Egypt? And what if you DON'T find that there?
Posts: 7202 | From: EU | Registered: Nov 2006
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thanks for all the help..yes i will be with a girlfriend (also ret) in alex and did visit alex. 2 times befor. i opend a citibank acount to transfer my ret. and now surching for a web side to find that flat with a sea few.
-------------------- love makes blind-marridge opend's the eye's Posts: 5 | From: USA | Registered: Nov 2009
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Doesn't matter WHERE you live in this world it is HOW you live. If you happy, healthy and pretty much financially stable then the rest is immaterial.
I have been good mates in Cairo for a year with a guy who lived three years in Alex... he would go back in the blink of an eye if he could. Where you live and find happiness is personal taste.
My body will stay here if I die... what difference will I know!!! I will just be scattered in the desert Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
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you cant be scattered, they wont burn you here! unless you want chopping up and scattering
I told my family im being planted here when I die, told hubby not to send me back. He said I have to make arrangements or they plant me in the 'English place' and not the Muslim place, I said I really dont care where im planted as God will know what I am when I get there and not by where im planted.
-------------------- If you don't learn from your mistakes, there's no sense making them. Posts: 15090 | From: http://www.egyptalk.com/forum/ | Registered: Jul 2004
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They won't burn me... they burn everything else lol
Good job really, the amount of alcohol in my system I would go for hours
Chop me up and eat me for all I care, I will be dead!!!
My family know I am not fussed what they do with me, it is their choice. They will be the ones left to deal with it so whatever suits them.
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
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*makes note to add Fried Ferret to the menu at work*
-------------------- If you don't learn from your mistakes, there's no sense making them. Posts: 15090 | From: http://www.egyptalk.com/forum/ | Registered: Jul 2004
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I have lived in Alex (and surrounding area) for 7 years now.
Did you have an area in mind where you want to live? Keep in mind that if you won't be having a car or drive, that the areas east of Victoria don't have access to the tram, which can be nice for traveling the different areas for shopping. Of course there are always taxi's available in all areas.
Also, do you plan on renting or buying? Finding a place through the net will be very expensive. You will pay dearly, being a foreigner, and if you can, it will help to find someone locally to help you.
Personally, I could not stand the noise, and congestion of the city, and we ended up selling our flat and moving outside the city.
If I can help in any way, just let me know.
Laura
Posts: 3291 | From: I DO believe in Karma! | Registered: Apr 2002
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I just wanted to add to all the above that may be it would be a good idea to look for an apartment not in the front raw of Cornish. Too strong winds and humidity. You will need to do the maintenance almost each year.
Posts: 132 | From: Alex | Registered: Oct 2009
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I am very concerned about the availability of good health care in Egypt and this point should be taken seriously - especially for older citizens.
Posts: 30135 | From: The owner of this website killed ES....... | Registered: Feb 2004
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As you don't mention having any egyptian relatives or husband, don't forget the whole residency issue!
Are you intending to buy property here? If so check out the various requisites for property ownership to gain residency so (a) you make sure your cash comes in to Egypt the right way and (b) you buy a property that will allow you to satisfy the residency conditions - ie don't buy on a new compound - if this might be an issue for you take legal advice.
There are various machinations going on and various contradicting stories about getting and renewing the various different residence permits and everyone has their own different story to tell and I don't propose to rehash all the 'I had no problem, my friend had to leave, go to this office, not that office' discussions all over again!
Just make sure you have a 'Plan B' in case you have to return to the US - eg keep bank account and credit cards open. I know people returning to the UK who had closed all their bank/credit accounts had a tough time reestablishing themselves in the UK - without that credit rating you are a non-person.
Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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quote:Originally posted by florentine: thanks for all the help..yes i will be with a girlfriend (also ret) in alex and did visit alex. 2 times befor. i opend a citibank acount to transfer my ret. and now surching for a web side to find that flat with a sea few.
Alex is a very diverse city and there is also a big difference between summer and winter due to the large numbers of tourists making some areas hell.
Rent for a year and get to know the city before buying anything, then you will find which area really suits you and can take time to get to know the right prices for property so you don't get ripped off as a foreigner.
Posts: 3809 | From: Paradise | Registered: Mar 2003
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I also agree with the rent for a year theory and take your time getting to know the property market etc.
On a positive note, my folks retired in Cairo years ago after living here for a decade and then in various other countries... they chose Egypt for retirement becasue of all the positives it has for older people, they have had no issues with their property or residency and both at some point have been in need of medical help (father had a life saving op) and they found the health care service to be of an excellent standard.
I think if my Mum was still posting here she would advise you to get yourself a good lawyer who will help you along the way. They have one and she is lovely, she makes their lives a lot easier...
Posts: 11097 | From: Cairo | Registered: May 2008
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i have just bought on a new compound and have been told that lets me apply for residency. is that not correct?
Posts: 23 | From: uk | Registered: Nov 2009
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Zarry - YOU NEED TO CHECK WITH A LAWYER - ANYTHING YOU READ ON THE INTERNET IS OPINION ONLY (even sometimes relatively well-informed opinion but that is what it is)
I know I can't register my property on my compound. I have been given mixed advice about notorizing the sales contract - some tell me I can and a quite knowledgeable Egyptian friend has told me that I can't as the company have not yet finished paying the government for the land. And in any case I live in a flat so there are additional issues regarding how many people live in the block want to register blah blah blah.
I need to get off my butt and seek out a lawyer too!
But also note that if you DO register your property, as a foreigner you cannot sell it for 5 years.
In any case I did not pay $US50000 for mine though it is worth more than that now.
Also = where is your compound - near Cairo? Red Sea? I think there may be a little more flexibility down the Red Sea area (though note that as a foreigner you can't have a freehold in Sinai - only a 99 year 'usfrucht' (like leasehold))
Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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quote:Originally posted by florentine: thinking about to retire in alex. i am fron usa and ANY tips i be thankfull for.
okk.. so i will come for 3 month in the spring and check it allllllllllll out mid march to , mid june hugs to all
Posts: 5 | From: USA | Registered: Nov 2009
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