Intro:

When I tell people I pay only $100 a month for rent in Egypt, the reactions range from shock to “That can’t be real.” But it is! And it’s one of the reasons I’ve gone viral sharing my life in Hurghada.

After living in Texas & Florida and paying $1,300 a month for just a room (read about my hostel living experience), I was ready for change. What I didn’t expect was to find a beautiful beach city where I could live affordably, feel safe, and be embraced by the community as a Black woman.

In this post, I’m answering the most frequently asked questions I get about moving from the USA to Hurghada, Egypt — from visas to safety, and of course, the $100 rent story.

Part 1: The Visa Process

If you’re flying into Hurghada, you’ll pay $25 USD or EURO for a 30-day visa on arrival (cash only, exact amount). Need to stay longer? Head to the Hurghada Passport Office.

150 USD/EURO (no local currency) for an extension Under 3 months: No lease needed Over 3 months: You’ll need a notarized lease contract. If you leave Egypt before your visa expires -It resets and you’ll start over.

Part 2: Why Hurghada?

I didn’t know anything about Hurghada before coming here. I was browsing Airbnb for places under $300/month in Africa and Hurghada popped up. I booked it without hesitation.

The plan? Work part-time, study full-time, and live cheaply. After I was settled in Hurghada, three weeks later, I realized I was living in an actual paradise🤯 — beaches, warm weather, and a friendly community. Like the locals here in my apartment complex were so concerned because they would not see me leave the apartments outside of getting groceries. One man said, “You know, there are more areas – EL Gouna, Sheraton are very beautiful!’. I was like “Well, right now I am focused on my studies!” Y’all this paradise is so beautiful. One thing I love about living in Hurghada, Egypt that I did not experience while living in Mexico is where I live there are also locals in my complex bc it’s so affordable. A lot of places I visit there are also the locals. Gentrification will always be the responsibility of the Government not its visitors. In my opinion – rent, groceries, transportation, and curricular activities should not increase just because the Americans & Europeans currency has arrived🤷🏾‍♀️.

Part 3: My $100 Rent Story

I originally booked an Airbnb, but when my landlord raised the rent for the summer, I started looking elsewhere. One day at the bus stop, a man told me his friend had an apartment for $100/month.

I viewed it, liked it, and paid cash to a woman who knew the owner. No lease, no paperwork — just word of mouth. In Egypt, the honor system is real.

Part 4: Do They Like Black People?

Yes, they do. I wouldn’t live somewhere I felt unwanted👀. Here, I’ve been treated with respect and kindness. The rent is great, but the hospitality and sense of belonging are even better.

Part 5: Is Egypt Safe for Women?

For me, Hurghada feels safer than many of the the 14 counties I visited including living in the USA. Neighbors bring me food, people look out for each other, and I can walk around comfortably.

Of course, I still stay cautious, because evil can happen anywhere🤷🏾‍♀️. But overall, the mix of hospitality, laid-back beach vibes, and cultural diversity makes Hurghada feel like home.

Final Thoughts:

Moving abroad isn’t for everyone, but if you’re craving change, lower living costs, and a warm, welcoming community, Hurghada might surprise you. I came here with no expectations, and found a paradise I can truly call my home away from home.

You can find a lot of information on different cities & countries for life abroad in FB groups. Join Facebook groups for whatever city you’d like to move to and ask around & Facebook market place. Link with a realtor that does renting – they are most likely in those groups or someone that lives there can refer you.

If you’re SERIOUS about moving – leave a comment and I’ll connect you with someone who specializes in moving people to Egypt.

Now that you’ve got Hurghada, Egypt on lock, you have to check out my unforgettable Nile River dinner cruise in Cairo, Egypt. I danced with a belly dancer and ate Egyptian dessert with a full buffet while floating on the Nile River. No big deal tho. 😎

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