We came back from a two week Egypt tour in Feb 2020 when the Pandemic hit. It was the best tour vacation we ever had. I was prejudiced against Egypt before we went. I was COMPLETELY wrong in each and every prejudice I had. And no, I did not get sick there. There are many places in US major cities that are now filthy. Cairo was magically clean by comparison. The citizens of Egypt are wonderfully welcoming and friendly. The waiter in our hotel coffee house asked me if we were from America. After we told him we were, he would not let us pay for my coffee. Egypt is a magical place. I was so wrong about it. Sanjosemike (no longer in CA)
What kind of visa were you on? I am an American that works in the Middle East for an IT company and I know you need a visa. Now if you are an American on a tourist visa, then you can stay for a very short while. But anything beyond 30 days will require a reason, like a job. Something must have changed and if so please let me know. I am looking to go nomadic soon. Thank you in advance.
You cann re-new you visa..not as easy or cheap as it used to be but is possible. I simply stay as long as I like then leave...never had a problem from not renewing
Food safety is terrible. I know a guy who died in food poisoning in Kairo. Good hotels should be fine but I would avoid buying food on the street at all cost.
wow that's cheap! but the foods on the street are scary to eat. may be if your a member of the rosicrucian order they can protect you from criminals there on the street.
"One hotel had decent internet, one was spotty." Why didn't you IDENTIFY the hotels? I LOVE Egyptian food, I would love to VISIT, but I really do NOT want to caper around different hotels till i HAPPEN UPON one with decent internet.
Great channel and informative video. I've visited Egypt many times and even lived there for a short time. Hope my following insight can balance your overly-positive opinion and be of use to other viewers: 1. Yes, many educated Egyptians do speak English, but the vast majority don't. You'll be very limited not knowing Arabic and Egyptian dialect and thus might expose yourself to countless bizarre situations based on simple misunderstanding. Egypt is not Cyprus, Malta, UAE nor Israel were English is widely spoken and where local speak enough so you can get by for most of your daily needs. 2. Infrastructure is a big problem. Everything from proper roads to garbage collecting is virtually non-existent in most of the country. At some point in your nomad capitalist journey, you'll realize that you're always limited by what a country has to offer. And in infrastructure, believe me, Egypt has nothing to offer. One example was the traffic police officers present in Mubarak's time. Now they're gone. You might think it's insignificant, but in a country where no one properly drives or respect speed limits, it's not. I have countless memories of near-crash-experience. 3. Unlike many non-Western mega cities, Cairo is very cosmopolitan. I've met more nationalities there than in an airport and befriended many interesting people who I just happened to meet. As for talent acquisition, If you'd ever want to setup a call center there and pay them an Egyptian salary, you've struck gold in talent-mining. 4. Registering fee for a business was 20K EGP (1,8k$) back in 2015-16, now 40K (3,6k$) due to overnight inflation. Personally, I wouldn't create an LLC/LTD in Egypt even if I got paid for it. You'd have to confront an incompetent administration which will rip you off at any given opportunity. Plus your business would be held hostage by a even more incompetent government which might devalue the EGP overnight as they did in Oct. 2016. You're much better off registering an LTD in close-by Cyprus and spending time in Egypt whenever you want it. Good thing compared to the West is that for small businesses you're pretty free doing whatever you want business-wise. None of that tax or licencing headache to open a business like in the West. But that mainly limits you to opening small shops. 5. Arab mentality. If you wanna put yourself in an environment where everything goes by "inshallah brother" and nothing gets done then you're in the right place. Even if people are friendly, you're definitely not surrounded by a "getting-things-done" mentality. The good thing is Arabs tend to be very docile when facing Westerners and not so much with other Arabs. For some lower educated people, they might start asking questions or behaving in what seems a friendly way in order to get you to do something for them knowing that Westerners are polite and often afraid to say no when pushed. What I've learned is: Never hesitate putting an Arab back in its place. If they don't mind showing the chutzpah to get what they want, you shouldn't feel weird or unconfortable saying no. Remember: they look up to Westerners, it's not the other way around. 6. Now with a crashed currency it's definitely among the cheapest countries to live in. 7. Visas/residence permits are easy for Westerners but don't expect special treatment. Police and army are free to detain you and invent a excuse to expel you if you don't cough up the cash. Although they won't try to mess around too much if you have a Western passport (they know their limits). A friend of mine was randomly questionned by customs arriving and they decided to send him back for no valid reason, even though he had his "iqaamah" (residency permit) in order. It might be an exception as it was after ISIS shot down that Russian airplane. I don't look Arab and was pulled aside by police road guards/police a few times and asked to give cash or less they "take me to the station". You just have to show your Western passport/residency to calm the guy and threathen to take him to your embassy to shut him up. You'll definitely harshen your personality and practice your negociating skills. 8. Security: Things have been going downhill but Egyptians have learned the lesson of what happened in Syria. The government is ruling the country with an iron fist as Arabs must be ruled. In conclusion Egypt isn't that great of a deal when you factor all it takes to live a decent life as a "nomad". You're much better off money-wise in Cyprus or Malta. It's great however if you have an llc registred elsewhere and can pilot everything online. My comment might be a bit too harsh for some, but everyone having lived or experienced Egypt for some time would agree to my points. Don't get me wrong; it's truly one of the friendlies country I've ever visited and lived in and some people are pure gems. I still have friends there and would love to go back once I get nomad again. You can sustain a family for 150€/month budget and live a very laid back life. You just have to be willing to put up with all the bs that comes with it. Cheers. PS: I subbed ;-)
i think it's rude to say that Arabs must be ruled with an iron hand. Typical western 'the world revolves around us' mentality. I lived there under Mubarek...it was Much better under Mursi, and Ive lived there under Sissi. It has it's moments and there is a fair amount of corruption..but all in all it's safer than most big cities in America
Anywhere in North Africa is a NO. Southern Africa - Namibia, Botswana, South Africa would be contenders, as well as Kenya, Nigeria, Lesotho, Seychelles & Comoros to a MUCH lesser extent. Sorry, unless you're willing to say "lā ʾilāha ʾillā-llāh, muḥammadur-rasūlu-llāh" it might be best to completely write off the vast majority of those countries.
We came back from a two week Egypt tour in Feb 2020 when the Pandemic hit. It was the best tour vacation we ever had.
I was prejudiced against Egypt before we went. I was COMPLETELY wrong in each and every prejudice I had. And no, I did not get sick there.
There are many places in US major cities that are now filthy. Cairo was magically clean by comparison. The citizens of Egypt are wonderfully welcoming and friendly. The waiter in our hotel coffee house asked me if we were from America. After we told him we were, he would not let us pay for my coffee.
Egypt is a magical place. I was so wrong about it.
Sanjosemike (no longer in CA)
Hi can you do a update on this please ?
What kind of visa were you on? I am an American that works in the Middle East for an IT company and I know you need a visa. Now if you are an American on a tourist visa, then you can stay for a very short while. But anything beyond 30 days will require a reason, like a job. Something must have changed and if so please let me know. I am looking to go nomadic soon. Thank you in advance.
You cann re-new you visa..not as easy or cheap as it used to be but is possible. I simply stay as long as I like then leave...never had a problem from not renewing
Food safety is terrible. I know a guy who died in food poisoning in Kairo. Good hotels should be fine but I would avoid buying food on the street at all cost.
Great video!! Bro
I know this is old now but cool guide
wow that's cheap! but the foods on the street are scary to eat. may be if your a member of the rosicrucian order they can protect you from criminals there on the street.
"One hotel had decent internet, one was spotty." Why didn't you IDENTIFY the hotels? I LOVE Egyptian food, I would love to VISIT, but I really do NOT want to caper around different hotels till i HAPPEN UPON one with decent internet.
Sounds great, but don't think I could live the kind of lifestyle I want in Cairo. :D Maybe Beirut?
Great channel and informative video. I've visited Egypt many times and even lived there for a short time. Hope my following insight can balance your overly-positive opinion and be of use to other viewers:
1. Yes, many educated Egyptians do speak English, but the vast majority don't. You'll be very limited not knowing Arabic and Egyptian dialect and thus might expose yourself to countless bizarre situations based on simple misunderstanding. Egypt is not Cyprus, Malta, UAE nor Israel were English is widely spoken and where local speak enough so you can get by for most of your daily needs.
2. Infrastructure is a big problem. Everything from proper roads to garbage collecting is virtually non-existent in most of the country. At some point in your nomad capitalist journey, you'll realize that you're always limited by what a country has to offer. And in infrastructure, believe me, Egypt has nothing to offer. One example was the traffic police officers present in Mubarak's time. Now they're gone. You might think it's insignificant, but in a country where no one properly drives or respect speed limits, it's not. I have countless memories of near-crash-experience.
3. Unlike many non-Western mega cities, Cairo is very cosmopolitan. I've met more nationalities there than in an airport and befriended many interesting people who I just happened to meet. As for talent acquisition, If you'd ever want to setup a call center there and pay them an Egyptian salary, you've struck gold in talent-mining.
4. Registering fee for a business was 20K EGP (1,8k$) back in 2015-16, now 40K (3,6k$) due to overnight inflation. Personally, I wouldn't create an LLC/LTD in Egypt even if I got paid for it. You'd have to confront an incompetent administration which will rip you off at any given opportunity. Plus your business would be held hostage by a even more incompetent government which might devalue the EGP overnight as they did in Oct. 2016. You're much better off registering an LTD in close-by Cyprus and spending time in Egypt whenever you want it. Good thing compared to the West is that for small businesses you're pretty free doing whatever you want business-wise. None of that tax or licencing headache to open a business like in the West. But that mainly limits you to opening small shops.
5. Arab mentality. If you wanna put yourself in an environment where everything goes by "inshallah brother" and nothing gets done then you're in the right place. Even if people are friendly, you're definitely not surrounded by a "getting-things-done" mentality.
The good thing is Arabs tend to be very docile when facing Westerners and not so much with other Arabs.
For some lower educated people, they might start asking questions or behaving in what seems a friendly way in order to get you to do something for them knowing that Westerners are polite and often afraid to say no when pushed.
What I've learned is: Never hesitate putting an Arab back in its place. If they don't mind showing the chutzpah to get what they want, you shouldn't feel weird or unconfortable saying no. Remember: they look up to Westerners, it's not the other way around.
6. Now with a crashed currency it's definitely among the cheapest countries to live in.
7. Visas/residence permits are easy for Westerners but don't expect special treatment. Police and army are free to detain you and invent a excuse to expel you if you don't cough up the cash. Although they won't try to mess around too much if you have a Western passport (they know their limits). A friend of mine was randomly questionned by customs arriving and they decided to send him back for no valid reason, even though he had his "iqaamah" (residency permit) in order. It might be an exception as it was after ISIS shot down that Russian airplane.
I don't look Arab and was pulled aside by police road guards/police a few times and asked to give cash or less they "take me to the station". You just have to show your Western passport/residency to calm the guy and threathen to take him to your embassy to shut him up. You'll definitely harshen your personality and practice your negociating skills.
8. Security: Things have been going downhill but Egyptians have learned the lesson of what happened in Syria. The government is ruling the country with an iron fist as Arabs must be ruled.
In conclusion Egypt isn't that great of a deal when you factor all it takes to live a decent life as a "nomad". You're much better off money-wise in Cyprus or Malta. It's great however if you have an llc registred elsewhere and can pilot everything online.
My comment might be a bit too harsh for some, but everyone having lived or experienced Egypt for some time would agree to my points.
Don't get me wrong; it's truly one of the friendlies country I've ever visited and lived in and some people are pure gems. I still have friends there and would love to go back once I get nomad again. You can sustain a family for 150€/month budget and live a very laid back life. You just have to be willing to put up with all the bs that comes with it. Cheers.
PS: I subbed ;-)
i think it's rude to say that Arabs must be ruled with an iron hand. Typical western 'the world revolves around us' mentality. I lived there under Mubarek...it was Much better under Mursi, and Ive lived there under Sissi. It has it's moments and there is a fair amount of corruption..but all in all it's safer than most big cities in America
Giving freedoms to Arabs creates more problems than solutions.
Im from egypt and that was pretty accurate
Some B. S. involved for sure for unknown background dude.
@@xxxarmycop CUZ he is an asshole by saying Arab should ruled like this. Fkng imperial mind
100th likee
Anywhere in North Africa is a NO. Southern Africa - Namibia, Botswana, South Africa would be contenders, as well as Kenya, Nigeria, Lesotho, Seychelles & Comoros to a MUCH lesser extent. Sorry, unless you're willing to say "lā ʾilāha ʾillā-llāh, muḥammadur-rasūlu-llāh" it might be best to completely write off the vast majority of those countries.
do you even know what that means and how easy it is