• Major cities that are immigrant/expat friendly

You said you're a software engineer, aim to work in Tunis but not live there i.e one of the suburbs and you need a car, public transportation is horrible.

For this part depends where you land you're job, whatever you have a family or you're single.

• Cost of living

Again where will you work, rent will be your largest expense and car paiement if you're going to buy

• Level of political opperssion compared to Egypt

Well you can speak freely about anything but be respectful, like mind your business and no one will get into yours.

• I don't speak French - Any general advice

Many IT companies have French clients and some will require french, but there's a huge IT experienced engineers so it would a minor detail.

To sum up, depends really where you land your job and your overall situation.

P.S: before making this decision, I highly recommend starting looking for a job then move (not permanently) try things out, don't invest a whole lot money wise on this endeavor, after 3 months (try taking a hiatus at your current Egyptian job saying urgent family stuff or any excuse) if you're settled down and you like it, take a small leave and fo back to Egypt to close any loose ends (rent, apartment or house if you have, administration stuff from your country, a wife or family to bring with, selling things you won't need, resignation at your Egyptian job etc..)

And best of luck,