Yes, I'm going to give you the other side of the coin.Maadi is right for you IF you have school age children because the best foreigner schools are in Maadi. That is what your friend/employer/whoever meant when they said Maadi was a better neighborhood for "young children". A 12 month old baby doesn't qualify in the age group that you need to be in Maadi for yet. If you are still in Egypt when your child goes to school, you'd probably want to move to Maadi, but that is a few years down the road.
Now, for the advantages of Zamalek. Being that you have a child that age, I'm taking a wild guess here that you are in your 30's. Am I close? If so, you probably will be very happy in Zamalek. Usually Zamalek is good for singles, but as a young couple you will find many expats in your age range in Zamalek and loads more culture, good restaurants and things YOU may enjoy doing near Zamalek.
Lily talks about the Maadi House. She clearly doesn't know that ALL Americans are not welcome to join the Maadi house. If you are on the roster of companies they will allow to join (ie: Embassy, Military, and a few select contractors) then you may be able to join, but again, your child won't be able to use the facilities there for a couple more years really. The only other way to get inside the Maadi House is as a guest of a member. There are other, less expensive clubs that you can join closer to Zamalek, if you like that sort of social scene.
Zamalek has quiet safe streets to walk with the baby as well. There are gardens and nice places to visit for play time, and there are nursery schools EVERYWHERE in Cairo.
Is your wife working? Your post sounds like you both plan to work. If so, I see no reason why Zamalek wouldn't be great for you, if the daily commute is better from Zamalek. Where will you be working?
The ONLY thing I can think of that you might enjoy being closer to in Maadi is the baseball fields. Some Amerian men really enjoy getting on the spring teams and playing ball. Not that you can't do it from Zamalek, but they usually don't. Other than that, really, honest to God, the culture scene, the restaurant scene, the social scene, especially if you are in your 30's is significantly better in Zamalek.
And Zamalek is green and safe. 90% of the Emabassies are there.... they can't all be wrong.
Good luck on your move and WELCOME.
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