The smog is worse than it is in LA, and crossing a major street involves taking one's life into one's hands. Yet everything except the airport is centrally located, making it very easy to get from one place to another. Most people cannot afford cars, but cabs are incredibly inexpensive. Cairo has an extensive bus system and a modern Metro that rivals any in the US for efficiency. Except for the hectic pace, overcrowded conditions and general unfamiliarity of it all, it is a very easy city to be in.
Street crime is virtually nonexistent, and everyone happily welcomes tourists to Egypt.
Many people speak English. Food is cheap. Virtually all businesses, including banks, are open late. Because of Cairo's extensive history, it features exciting architecture from a great number of periods. In many ways, it is very strange to see actual ancient Egyptian artifacts.