Why did Pavel choose Egypt to buy his second home?

Dossier

Customer: Pavel, an entrepreneur from Moscow

Realtor: EgyptSwiss

Region: Egypt, Hurghada

Subject: Two-bedroom apartment, total area 100 square meters

Transaction: Purchase on the primary market, 2009

Price: 50,000 US dollars

Division of the districts of Hurghada

In Hurghada, the areas built in Arab and European styles are clearly distinguishable. Foreign citizens actively choose places like El Kawser, Hadaba, and Sakkala, which are located near the sea.

Utility costs

The utility costs in this region are quite minimal. I spend only250 rublesper month for building maintenance and about50 rublesfor electricity. Interestingly, transportation in Hurghada costs about the same as in Russia, but the price of fuel is almost three times lower – just9 rubles 50 kopecks per liter.

Reasons for choosing Egypt

- Pavel, what inspired you to choose Egypt as a place to live?

- The reasons are simple: the climate, natural conditions, fresh fruits all year round. Where else can you swim peacefully during the winter season?

- Maybe in Turkey...

- Yes, Turkey is indeed known for its developed tourist infrastructure. However, it is much colder there in winter, and it sometimes rains. By the way, in Hurghada, the weather has been exceptionally sunny for the past two years. It should be noted that housing prices in Turkey are much higher. Would I be able to find suitable accommodation there for...50 thousand dollarsMost likely, no.

Attitude towards Thailand

- What do you think about Thailand?

- No, I had to live in both China and Thailand. The summer humidity and constant rain were unbearable for me.

Disadvantages of Egypt

Of course, Egypt has its drawbacks. For example, I found that the locals behave quite eccentrically. Hurghada has only been developing for a few years now – aboutten yearsTherefore, the culture of communication and business practices has not yet fully developed. Egyptians act according to their habits, and it is often difficult for Europeans to establish contact with them. However, despite these challenges, I still see Egypt as a more acceptable option compared to other countries.

Choice of Hurghada

- Why did you choose Hurghada over another resort?

- It's clear that the beaches here are wonderful, and many of my acquaintances have bought property here. Moreover, the cost of housing in Hurghada is significantly lower than in Sharm El Sheikh. Another important point is that foreigners can fully own land in Hurghada, unlike in Sharm El Sheikh, where only leasing is possible.

Real estate registration

In Egypt, specifically in Hurghada, it is possible to arrange real estate infull, unconditional ownership (freehold)At the same time, in the Sinai Peninsula, for example in Dahab and Sharm El Sheikh, different conditions apply: there, you can obtain a long-term lease for a period of up to99 yearsThe ban on foreign ownership of real estate was introduced by an administrative decree from the Prime Minister of Egypt inin 2005.

Buying real estate in Egypt

In Egypt, purchasing real estate does not have strict restrictions, except for certain specific areas that are protected by the state, such as regions located near historical landmarks.

If you want to learn more about the aspects of purchasing property in this country, I recommend checking out the relevant article.

Searching for an apartment

Moving on to the apartment search process, we should note that it was quite a lengthy task — we had to consider about 15 different offers.

In 2009, there were many unfinished construction projects in the Egyptian market, and I preferred to avoid the risks associated with purchasing residential properties in such buildings, so I had to pass on some options.

Convenience of location

Some apartments turned out to be not very convenient due to their distance from key streets or shops, as well as places for recreation.

In other cases, the view from the window did not meet my expectations.

In Egypt, houses are often built very close to each other, and when you step out onto the balcony, you can see the building across from you just one or two meters away.

Neighborhood and population

I also carefully assessed the local population, both inside our house and in the neighborhood as a whole.

In our complex, most of the housing has been purchased by Russians and Ukrainians, while many Europeans live in the neighboring areas.

Division of districts in Hurghada

In Hurghada, there is a clear division between the areas where Arabs and Europeans live.

• Foreigners typically reside in places like El-Kauser, Hadaba, and Sakkala, which are located near the sea.
• Local residents often cannot afford housing in these areas due to low income levels; only about 10% of Arabs live along the coast.
• For example, if I were looking for a similar apartment in an Arab neighborhood, its price would be not $50,000, but only $10,000.

However, in my opinion, living in such conditions would be uncomfortable, as it seems to me that it is quite noisy and dirty there.

Choosing an apartment in El Quseir

In the end, I decided on a two-bedroom apartment in the El-Kauser area.

This is a pleasant and clean place with spacious streets, where the buildings are not as closely packed as in the old part of Hurghada.

There are plenty of entertainment venues in the area. For example, there is the Sindbad hotel nearby, which has a great water park.

Although our building is not on the first line by the sea, you can reach the waterfront in just five minutes.

Condition of the apartment at the time of purchase

As for the condition of the apartment at the time of purchase in 2009, I paid for it.50 thousand dollarsthat amounted to500 dollars per square meter.

The apartment was sold with partial finishing, but without furniture and air conditioners; only the kitchen countertops and entrance doors were installed.

We decided to forgo wallpaper since it's not that popular in Egypt; the walls here are usually just painted.

Furniture and equipment

We had to purchase all the necessary furniture elements separately, which cost about5 thousand dollars.

There was also the purchase of air conditioners, as it's difficult to create comfortable living conditions in Egypt without them.

It took even more time to install the air conditioners.one thousand five hundred dollars.

As for the furniture selection, it is significantly limited compared to what is available in Russia.

I hope my experience will be helpful to those planning to invest in real estate in Egypt.

Furniture in the market

Currently, there are many furniture options available on the market, both Chinese-made and local. The quality of these products is quite satisfactory, but their price makes them accessible to a wide range of consumers. However, when it comes to more elite options, such as Italian furniture ensembles, purchasing these items can pose certain challenges.

Management Company

Does this mean that you have a management company responsible for managing your residential building? Many people believe that there is no need for one, especially if their residential complex is small, with 22 families.

Conclusion

Every real estate purchase experience is unique, and my journey to acquiring an apartment in Hurghada became a significant milestone in my life. I understood that choosing a country and a place for a second home is not just a matter of comfort, but also an opportunity to create my own little corner of happiness away from the hustle and bustle of Moscow streets. I liked the atmosphere, climate, and the chance to enjoy fresh fruits year-round in Egypt. Even if the locals sometimes seem eccentric, I believe that is just a part of their culture that one needs to get used to.

Hurghada surprised me not only with its real estate prices but also with the quality of life. I take pride in having found an apartment in an area with many foreigners: Russians, Ukrainians, and Europeans. This creates a certain sense of community and often leads to friendships, which is very important for living abroad.

Why did I choose Hurghada specifically?

My choice of the El-Kauser area was the result of thorough research into the available options, and I am glad that I settled on an apartment that meets all my requirements.

The process of searching

Finding real estate hasn't always been easy, but each apartment I viewed helped me better understand the local market and learn to recognize what truly matters for comfortable living. I knew for sure that the location in relation to infrastructure was an important factor, and by choosing an apartment near the water park and other entertainment venues, I made the right choice.

My new home

Now, in my cozy corner of Hurghada, I realize that life here may not be as perfect as at a resort, but it definitely brings joy. Every time I step out onto the balcony and look at the world around me, I feel that I made the right choice. Egypt has become not just a country with a warm climate for me, but a home that I can happily call my own.

Results

So, my story is not just about buying an apartment, but about the beginning of a new life filled with sunshine, the sea, and interesting people. I am sure that anyone who decides to take a similar step will also find their home, and perhaps their happiness, in this unique country.