Maadi

Maadi is Cairo's premier expat neighborhood and has held that title for over a century. Originally developed as a garden suburb for British colonial administrators in the 1900s, it retains its tree-lined streets, low-rise villas, and a relaxed pace that stands in stark contrast to the rest of the city. The neighborhood is anchored by Road 9, a pedestrian-friendly commercial strip lined with international restaurants, Western-style cafes, and shops catering to expat tastes. Maadi is home to the largest concentration of Western expatriates in Egypt, drawn by the neighborhood's schools, greenery, and community infrastructure. Families consistently rank Maadi as the easiest Cairo neighborhood for settling in. The Cairo American College, Maadi British International School, and several other international institutions give it a critical mass of expat families. Community organizations, parent groups, and international clubs are well established. The Maadi Yacht Club (on the Nile), Maadi Sporting Club, and multiple swimming clubs provide recreational anchors for expat social life. Housing ranges from classic Maadi villas — often with gardens, high ceilings, and parquet floors — to modern apartment towers in Degla and Sarayat. While rents have increased, Maadi remains excellent value in USD terms. The neighborhood's main limitation is its distance from the newer satellite cities and the heavy traffic on the Corniche that can make cross-city journeys slow.