Living in Alexandria, Egypt's breezy Mediterranean port

The expat scene: Small and spread out, with teachers, retirees, remote workers and Arabic students making up much of it. English is common in private hospitals and international schools, much less so at the market or the landlord's office. A few months of Arabic lessons pay off quickly.

Healthcare: Plan on private care. Alexandria International Hospital and Alexandria Medical Centre, both in Smouha, are on the UK government's list of English-speaking facilities, and private-hospital doctors usually speak English, nurses less often. For some specialist treatment you'd still travel to Cairo, about 140 miles by road. Private hospitals expect payment up front, so carry international health coverage and a credit card with room on it.

Remote work: Home internet runs about $10 a month. Keep a mobile data plan as backup, since power cuts hit parts of Egypt in summer 2026. Egypt's legal position on remote work for a foreign employer is unsettled, so read the residence section of our Egypt moving guide before you count on it.

Schools: Schutz American School, founded in 1924, teaches a U.S.-based program in English to students ages 3 to 18 and is the city's long-standing American option.

Women living alone: The State Department lists harassment of women, foreigners included, as a problem in Egypt. Ride-hailing apps instead of street taxis and a neighborhood with friends nearby make day-to-day life easier.

LGBTQ expats: Go in with clear eyes. Same-sex relationships aren't explicitly outlawed, but gay men and transgender people have been prosecuted under debauchery and public-morals laws, and the State Department reports police using dating apps to entrap gay men. There's no open community to plug into, and discretion is the practical rule for anyone living here.

Black Americans: We couldn't find solid, current reporting on how Black Americans experience daily life in Alexandria, and the State Department's Egypt page doesn't address race. Rather than guess, we'd suggest a scouting trip of a few weeks and conversations with Black expats already living in Egypt before you commit.

Limited mobility: Hard going. The State Department warns that most businesses and public places in Egypt lack access for people with disabilities, and that sidewalks are often uneven or blocked by vehicles. The new metro and tram promise rebuilt stations, but neither is open yet. Confirm that any apartment's elevator works and fits your needs, and walk your daily route before you sign a lease.

Retirement: Alexandria suits retirees who want the sea, mild winters and a couple's budget around $1,500 a month. The catch is that Egypt has no retirement visa and no income test, so retirees usually qualify through property or a deposit in an Egyptian bank. Our retirement visa guide compares countries that do offer one, and our Egypt moving guide walks through each route here.