El Obour, Egypt

El Obour is a planned industrial city built in 1990 to ease Cairo’s overcrowding. It’s a practical, no-frills place — think factories, housing blocks, and wide roads. The city feels unfinished, with patches of desert still visible between developments. Expect dust, especially near the Cairo-Bilbeis Desert Road.

Living in El Obour means dealing with bureaucracy. Getting utilities hooked up can take weeks, and you’ll need local help navigating the paperwork. The water purification plant is a plus, but power cuts still happen. This isn’t a city for tourists or those seeking charm — it’s for workers and families who want affordable housing near Cairo without the chaos.

El Obour works if you’re employed in its industrial zone or commuting to Cairo. But for retirees or digital nomads, it’s too isolated and lacks amenities. The city’s future depends on hitting its 500,000 population target — right now, it feels like a work in progress.