Its amazing that almost as many people think you can live as a couple for 300€ per month or less as those that say 600€ per month or more? I wonder who is right?

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PROPERTY SHOP INC. International Property Brokers
EGYPT REAL - Your One Stop Shop for Hurghada Property
Investment Property in Egypt

Having lived here in Hurghada for over 12 months now i thought i would share with you my monthly bills from December 2006 to December 2007.
Here are the bills for Electric,Water,Maintainace,ADSL and Gas bottle.For a 2 bed 1 bath 120 square mtr Apartment with 3 air-con units and shared swimming pool and lift.

Electric.... 1323 LE for the year

Water..... 1488 LE for the year

Maintainance. 1800 LE for the year

ADSL....... 1080 LE for the year

Gas Bottle.. 20 LE for the year

Total ....... 5711 LE for the year ........ Thats 475.91 LE Per Month

Around £519 per annum Or £43.25 per month

This is for a 12 month period of living out here full time and the bills are not estimated but are direct from the electric and water company's in my name.

In the Uk my utility bills are about £400 a month!! Role on the move to Hurghada!!

And thats not including car payments, mortgage, diesel or living expenses!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks red sea for the info, the cost of living is a lot cheaper than we thought.

For anyone considering permanent relocation to Egypt the following data may have some relevance. I have highlighted some of the most significant facts.

Last updated: 08 March, 2007

EGYPT

Major Economic Indicators

-
2005
2006
2007 Forecast

Population
2005 - 70.0 mn.
2006 - 71.3 mn.
2007 - 72.6 mn.

GDP
2005 - US$89.3 bn.
2006 - US$103.5bn.
2007 - N.A.

GDP Per Capita
2005 - US$1,200
2006 - US$1,380
2007 - N.A.

Real GDP Growth
2005 - +5.7%
2006 - +5.6%
2007 - +5.6%

Inflation
2005 - 4.0%
2006 - 4.1%
2007 - 6.2%

Unemployment
11.0%
10.9% (Sept)
N.A.

Exports
2005 - US$10.7bn.
2006 - US$10.2bn. (Sept)
2007 - N.A.

Export Growth
2005 - +43%
2006 - +42%
2007 - N.A.

Imports
2005 - US$19.9bn.
2006 - US$15.9bn. (Sept)
2007 - N.A.

Import Growth
2005 - +54%
2006 - +7%
2007 - N.A.

Reference Exchange Rate : US$ 1 to 5.70 Egyptian pounds on 8 March 2007


Recent Developments
The Egyptian government has instituted an Economic Reform Programme that has transformed Egypt into one of the most stable emerging markets. Its real economic growth stood at 5.6% in 2006, and is expected to register another 5.6% in 2007.
Tourism represents the main source of Egypt's revenue. In 2006, the number of tourists increased by 9% to 8.7 million. While the hotel sector witnessed a tangible leap, the revenues from the Suez Canal rose by 10% to US$3.8 billion in the fiscal year 2005/2006.
The Egyptian pound was allowed to float in January 2003. Capitalising on the depreciation of the currency, plus still-strong global demand, Egypt's exports rose substantially by 42% during January -- September of 2006.
The high unemployment rate remains as the Egyptian Economy's major weakness. The fast growing working population is the major cause to high unemployment. The labour force amounted to 21.8 million people (31% of the total population) in 2005/2006, and the unemployment rate stood at 11% in September 2006.
Current Economic Situation

Starting from 1991, the Egyptian government has instituted an Economic Reform Programme that has taken Egypt further along the road to a market economy. This involves the implementation of a set of economic policies to unleash market forces to drive growth and employment. Today, Egypt is one of the most stable emerging markets.

Egypt's economy is on the road to recovery, with GDP growing by 5.6% in 2006 and another expected 5.6% in 2007. Tourism represents the main source of Egypt's revenue. In 2006, the number of tourists increased by 9% to 8.7 million. While the hotel sector witnessed a tangible leap, the revenues from the Suez Canal rose by 10% to US$3.8 billion in the fiscal year 2005/2006.

Meanwhile, petroleum and natural gas take up roughly 11% of Egypt's GDP. Total exports of crude oil, natural gas, petroleum products and petrochemicals reached about 401 million ton in 2005/2006. The export value of petroleum sector rose from US$1 billion in 1999 to US$11.5 billion in 2005/2006.

The Egyptian government put an end to the peg of the Egyptian pound with the US dollar in January 2003. While allowing the Egyptian pound to float, the government has stepped in to limit the decline of the currency. Despite this effort, however, the Egyptian pound has depreciated by about 17% since January 2003. Thanks to the depreciated Egyptian pound, plus still-strong global demand, Egypt's exports surged by 42% during January -- September of 2006.

The continued decline of Egyptian pound, on the other hand, has fuelled inflation. In 2006, Egypt's inflation rate grew at an annual rate of 4.1%, and is expected to quicken to 6.2% in 2007.

Yet, the high unemployment rate, at 11% in September 2006, remains as the Egyptian economy's major weakness, and the creation of sufficient jobs is the government's main economic priority. The fast growing working population is the major cause to high unemployment. The labour force amounted to 21.8 million people (31% of the total population) in 2005/2006, and will likely reach 22.4 million people in 2006/2007.

Trade Policy

Egypt has gradually moved towards a more liberal trade regime. It became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995, and revamped its tariff regime in 2004 as agreed in its accession agreement. In September 2004, the Government of Egypt announced a new tariff structure, which removed services fees and import surcharges. The new tariff rates range from 2% for raw materials, spare parts, and primary feeding products to 40% for durable consumer goods. The changes in tariffs have brought down the weighted average rate from 14.6% to 9.1%.

In general, high import tariff rates are applied on products which compete with domestic production and threaten related industries. For instance, the government applies a 135% tariff rate on imported vehicles with engines larger than 1,600 cc. In order to protect its clothing industry, the Egyptian government levies a 40% import tax on foreign clothing. In addition to customs tariffs, all goods are subject to a 10% of General Sales Tax (GST), while a higher rate of 25% is applied on some luxury goods.

Starting from late 1998, Egypt requires all imported consumer goods to be shipped direct from the country of origin and accompanied by a certificate of origin authenticated by an Egyptian Representation (i.e., embassy or consulate). However, consumer goods originated from the Chinese mainland can be shipped via Hong Kong.

Egypt requires restrictive labelling for imports of food products. All food products should be packed in appropriate packages, which should be clean, intact, and odourless so as to preserve the products and not affect its characteristics. Imported products must be marked and labelled in Arabic. The language requirement is mandatory for all information, including the brand and type of the products, country of origin, date of production, expiry date, and instructions on handling products. For imported tools, machines and equipment, a user manual in Arabic has to be attached.

There are ten free trade zones in Egypt: Cairo (Nasr City), Alexandria, Port Said, Suez, Ismailia, Damietta, Media, Shebin El-Kom, Qeft and Port Said East Port. Goods exported from or imported into the free zones are not subject to normal import/export customs procedures, duties or other taxes and fees. Likewise all instruments, machinery, equipment, and transportation equipment necessary for establishments authorised within the free zones are exempt from customs and taxes.

The EU as a bloc is Egypt's largest trading partner, accounting for some 40% of Egypt's total trade, followed by the US (14%). The EU-Egypt Association Agreement entered into force in June 2004. The EU lifted all trade barriers to Egyptian industrial exports, while Egypt committed itself to removing all related trade barriers over a 12 -15 year transitional period. In addition, the EU significantly increased the tariff quotas granted for Egypt's main agricultural exports, whereas Egypt reduced tariff duties for a number of EU agricultural exports in return, including processed agricultural and fisheries products.

__________________
PROPERTY SHOP INC. International Property Brokers
EGYPT REAL - Your One Stop Shop for Hurghada Property
Investment Property in Egypt

I don't think that there is any right or wrong answer.

It's just that 'living well' is very subjective.

'Living well' to some people is having cream cakes on a Friday.

'Living well' to others is eating at Little Buddha every night.

In most poorer countries it is possible to exist on very little money - pensioners in Latvia seem to get by on just GBP100 per month.

But I tried for a few months getting by on GBP500 per month for a while and was very rarely able to manage it.

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EGYPT REAL - Your One Stop Shop for Hurghada Property

Author of: Propertastic's Complete Guide to Hurghada Property and Egypt's Red Sea Riviera Real Estate

That's a lot cheaper than the prices that were given on another thread for ADSL a couple of weeks ago. Then I was told that ADSL was GBP20-50 per month.

Who do you use, Derek, and what speed do you get?

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EGYPT REAL - Your One Stop Shop for Hurghada Property

Author of: Propertastic's Complete Guide to Hurghada Property and Egypt's Red Sea Riviera Real Estate

The living costs i have given you are my living costs for the whole of the year. My ADSL is showing cheaper than a normal ADSL account due to the fact that i share aa 2 meg connection between 4 of us so only pay a quater of the price you would normaly pay.

I doubt you would be lucky enough to find 3 other people to share the cost of ADSL unless you are living here in Hurghada on a perminant basis and not just using your apartment as a holiday retreat.

Remember you will have to have a land line installed and it has to be billed in your name for you to complete and return the ADSL contract forms. And as a single user the prices i quoted before will apply.

propertastic... the prices i quoted for ADSL are 100% correct. and the bills i added to this thread are my bills for the year.

So the price is about GBP33 per month for a 2-Meg connection if it's not shared with anyone. That's still a better price than I have heard before.

Which company do you use for it?

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EGYPT REAL - Your One Stop Shop for Hurghada Property

Author of: Propertastic's Complete Guide to Hurghada Property and Egypt's Red Sea Riviera Real Estate