Expat Guide to Living in Cairo

Cairo is an endlessly fascinating city for expats who embrace its chaos and complexity. The primary expat neighbourhoods are Zamalek (a Nile island with embassies, international schools, and a cosmopolitan community), Maadi (a leafy southern suburb historically popular with diplomats and NGO workers), and the New Cairo suburb which offers newer infrastructure and proximity to the international schools that many expat families prioritise. The cost of living is low by Western standards, and Cairo's cultural richness — the museums, mosques, markets, and music — is unmatched in the region.