Housing Market in Cairo: Renting vs. Buying Trends (and why I’m still sleeping on a mattress on the floor)
okay, so like, let’s talk Cairo. seriously. i’ve been here three months, fueled by lukewarm coffee and the vague hope of finding a place that doesn’t smell faintly of donkey. it’s… intense. and the housing market? don’t even get me started. i’m pretty sure it’s actively trying to break me.
seriously, look at this map. it’s just… a lot. a sprawling, dusty, occasionally terrifying lot. i’m currently operating out of Zamalek, which is, you know, the ‘good’ part. but even here, finding a decent apartment feels like winning the lottery. i’m talking 30k-50k EGP a month for a studio. and that’s if you’re lucky. i’m pretty sure my landlord is a retired general who enjoys watching me struggle.
I’ve been tracking this, obsessively, because, let’s be real, my bank account is weeping. i’ve been using this Reddit thread (https://www.reddit.com/r/Cairo) to get a read on things, and it’s basically a collective cry for help. people are saying prices are climbing faster than a sand dune in a dust storm.
Let’s break down the numbers, because apparently i’m supposed to be ‘data-driven.’ (i’m a freelance photographer, okay? numbers aren’t my jam.)
*Cost of Living in Cairo (Rough Estimates - as of October 2023)Category Monthly Cost (EGP) Notes Rent (Studio) 30,000 - 50,000 Zamalek is expensive. Utilities 5,000 - 8,000 Electricity is a beast. Food (Groceries) 6,000 - 10,000 Depends on your kebab addiction. Transportation 2,000 - 4,000 Uber/Careem is your friend. Entertainment 3,000 - 7,000 Street food is cheap, but cocktails aren’t. Internet/Mobile 1,000 - 2,000 Vodafone is usually reliable.
Okay, so renting is the obvious choice, right? But then you start thinking about buying. I spoke to a guy at a local real estate agency (via WhatsApp, naturally) and he told me, and i quote, "Buying is for rich people. Unless you’re a Sheikh, don’t even bother." Seriously. He also mentioned that the average price for a small apartment in a decent area is around 1.5 - 2 million EGP. That’s… a lot. Like, ‘need to sell a kidney’ a lot.
Overheard Gossip #1: “My cousin tried to buy a place in New Cairo. He spent six months negotiating, paying bribes, and ended up with a leaky roof and a neighbor who plays the oud at 3 AM. Don’t do it.” - A taxi driver near the Egyptian Museum.
I’ve been spending my evenings wandering around Giza, dodging tourists and trying to capture some decent shots. The weather’s been… weird. Like, it’s 35 degrees Celsius during the day, but at night it drops to 15 and there’s a weird, salty mist hanging in the air. It’s like the desert is crying. It’s a short flight to Sharm el-Sheikh if you need a beach fix, though. Seriously, the Red Sea is a balm for the soul.
Overheard Gossip #2: “Renting is the only way to go. Buying is a trap. They’ll bleed you dry with taxes and maintenance. Just trust me.” - A barista at a cafe in Downtown Cairo (who was also slightly caffeinated).
I’ve been looking at apartments on TripAdvisor (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Accommodation-g293931-Cairo_Egypt-Accommodation.html) but honestly, the reviews are… mixed. Mostly just people complaining about the cockroaches. Which, let’s be honest, is pretty standard in Cairo.
Overheard Gossip #3: “My friend bought a place in Maadi. He’s now spending half his income on security guards. Seriously, you need guards to protect your apartment from… well, you don’t want to know.” - A street artist near the Citadel (who was sketching a surprisingly detailed portrait of a pigeon).
I’m leaning towards renting for now. I need to build up a bit of savings, and honestly, the idea of dealing with Egyptian bureaucracy and potential scams is exhausting. Plus, I’m still trying to figure out how to assemble a bed frame without breaking something. It’s a process.
Anyway, that’s the state of affairs. Send coffee. And maybe a locksmith. And definitely a good lawyer. Seriously, do your research before buying anything. It’s a jungle out there.
Pro-Tip: Learn to haggle. It’s expected. And always, always have cash. Credit cards aren’t always reliable.
Gear List (for a perpetually sleep-deprived blogger):* Laptop, noise-canceling headphones, instant coffee, a very large supply of ibuprofen, and a healthy dose of cynicism.
Check out this local forum for more insights: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CairoExpats/
You might also be interested in:
- https://topiclo.com/post/teresina-networking-events-and-professional-communities-whats-actually-going-on-here
- https://topiclo.com/post/what-is-hamhng-famous-for-icons-history-and-legends-3
- https://topiclo.com/post/best-afterschool-activities-and-youth-sports-in-ad-dammm
- https://topiclo.com/post/kyoto-a-messy-love-letter-from-a-tired-wanderer
- https://topiclo.com/post/local-etiquette-and-traditions-how-not-to-offend-people-in-trujillo