Hello and welcome to the forum....sorry can't help you with regards to Dahab but Mamasue will be able to answer some of your questions as she has spent some time there.Jobs for ex-pats not easy to find as you cannot take a job that an egyptian can do.

 

Thanks, that's worth knowing! Would I be able to start a business/offer my own services?

 

As i said before only if it is something and egyptian can not do...and rightly so

 

I agree, Dahab is a lovely place.... my favourite corner of Egypt.
As far as working there goes, you'll have a huge problem. As you know already, it isn't a giant metropolis, but a smallish seaside town.
Your problem is,,, there are so many Egyptian web designers...far more than could ever find work. Starting a business of any kind just won't happen.... the Bedouins 'rule' the Sinai, and are very protective of their territory, in every way, especially as far as foreigners are concerned.
If you want to live in Dahab, go scuba diving and enjoy the sun....you're in the right place....
As far as work goes.....sorry!!
At one time, anybody could work illegally on a tourist visa in Egypt.....nowadays, they've really tightened, with big fines to employers....
Employers won't employ foreigners when an Egyptian can do the job...work permits for foreigners are expensive!
Also....as far as English copywriting goes.....how's your Egyptian Arabic??

 

Very nicely described everything! I think that's why previously someone mentioned that mamasue will be able to answer this post queries properly. You sure have great experience in living Dahab.

 

Hehe ok I get the picture .... looks like I shall have to do 6 months in UK working super hard and then spend my wages in Dahab for six months! Though presumably I could still carry on working for existing clients (in UK) - all I need is wifi - I'd far rather do my job over there, in a bar by the sea, than here in the UK where it's cold and (today) snowy!

How easy is it for expats to settle in? Do the Bedouin and Egyptians welcome them or is there some resentment?

 

Egypt needs tourists to survive....I think Dahab needs tourists.... especially since the bombs in 2006, and the more recent kidnappings in the Sinai, tourists are staying away....
You'll probably be ok, they'll be nice to you....they want your money!
Apart from every second person trying to rip you off, you should be fine.
Sorry if this all sounds negative.... but.... been there, done that.
The tourism market has changed a lot over the last few years....when I first went to live in Egypt, it was mainly Brits and Germans.....
Nowadays, it's mainly Russians......lots of them!!

 

Dahab used to be a great place for vacation and even living. It is now more nightmarish than Cairo is. It is, like the rest of Sinai, lawless. A gradual change after the revolution and the diminishing fear of the Police and government in general gave rise to gang mentality. Bedouins are the largest tof the gangs, then Saidis then the rest of Egyptians who can group themselves in large numbers when the need arise. The police is powerless and avoids confrontation. The army shows up briefly to and quickly disappears if it is not so major an incident that may threaten security. So let's say you get robbed or ripped off somehow and report it to the police, if the culprit is weak you may get a reaction from the police if he is part of one of the gangs they will not seriously investigate it. This happened with more serious crimes like rapes and kdnappings of Egyptians and foreigners alike.
Just imagine living somewhere where no law, reason, common sense, integrity, ethics or care for others exist.

 

Have you been there recently? If so, that's quite worrying. I was there during the beginning of the revolution in Jan 2011 and again in Feb 2012 and didn't notice any unrest or lawlessness at all. OK I was only there for a short time but it seemed as quiet and calm and peaceful as ever.

Is anyone on here that's in Sinai now, who can confirm or deny these reports? I know there have been a couple of incidents reported in the news (kidnappings etc) but I thought those were in the north.

 

Hi was last in Dahab at the end of August 2012 and it was just as calm and peaceful as ever (in fact more so because of lack of tourists both foreign and domestic). Several friends have been there since and also encountered no problems either getting there (public bus and private car) or whilst being there. We also travelled further north to Nuweiba and found that practically deserted apart from people using the ferries, I assume because of the bad press about kidnappings. No problems there either and I have to say that I did feel sorry for the people who live and work there because of the empty hotels, lodgings etc.

 

That's good to hear, and that was my understanding too. Mind you, given that I can't move out there for a few years who knows what the situation will be like by then!

 

Our dive-colleagues and dive-tourists will always visit Dahab, come snow or shine, hell or high water.... It's still a popular location for vacations.

Only they use secure hotels and dive-lodges which value loyal customers. Wandering around on lone safaris is asking for trouble. It is our belief that many escaped prisoners, refuges and immigrants from previous arab extremist encounters feel Northern Sinai is a safe haven.

That's why the authorities are taking a tough stand there and why residents (national and dual-nationals) are taking it serious..... Don't be foolish, believe the news or become part of it.


Eco-Mariner.

 

Forgive me if I appear a bit thick here. Can I breakdown your post as follows:

- some people still visit Egypt to dive.
-But because of the lack of security they use "secure hotels and dive lodges" to spend their vacation.
-They are advised not get out of those hotels and lodges or they would be asking for trouble.
-Escaped convicts, Extremists and Refugees are roaming around in northern Sinai.

The last part I don't quite understand. The authorities are taking a tough stand "there". Where? Do you mean at the "secure hotels"?
What are the residents taking seriously, the lack of security? What are they doing about it?
What news should we not believe, the lack of security?

 

Advise please

Hi All, I'm an Egyptian girl and would like to live in Dahab is it possible? is it safe for a girl to live alone there? are men there real ones? would they treat me and protect me like a sister? i'm suffering of an unbalanced situation and don't want to make it worst by facing any more issues i want to live in a place such DAHAB to relax and clear my mind and try to sort out my issues, please your clear serious advise is highly appreciated! Also would it possible if you can recommend a place where i can live? a studio is preferred.. also appreciating some advises on the cost of living and activities that can be done!

Thank you so much in advance!!