Moving to a new country always comes with unique challenges and opportunities, and Kenya is no different! Nairobi is a vibrant, modern city with so much to offer, and our Eden Heights team is here to make sure you get the most out of your time in our beautiful country. Read on to see some of our top considerations as you plan your life in Nairobi, and contact our team to learn more – we’ll not only help you find a home, we’ll work with you to make sure you have everything you need to settle in.
Find the Perfect Location in Nairobi
Like all cities, Nairobi is made up of a collection of unique neighbourhoods, which all have their own flavour and flourish. The first thing to consider when choosing a neighbourhood is the location of your office; Nairobi traffic can be a slog, so many locals aim to cut down commutes as much as possible. That said, you may prioritise the lifestyle offered by a particular area over proximity to work.
Central neighbourhoods like Westlands, Parklands, Lavington, Kilimani, and Kileleshwa are known more for apartments and townhouses, while neighbourhoods like Muthaiga, Runda, Gigiri, Thigiri, Spring Valley, Kitisuru, and Karen are known for larger family homes. These are, of course, generalisations, and it is possible to find a range of homes in most neighbourhoods – our agents will work with you to find something perfect for your requirements.
Another consideration for families is being close to your child’s school. There are excellent schools found throughout Nairobi, with international curriculums that will align with the system your child is used to. Based on the areas you are looking at, our team can develop a list of schools that are close by.
It’s also important to consider the area amenities, from the basics like shopping centres to restaurants, children’s activities, and spaces to enjoy nature. There are many modern malls spread throughout the city. These shopping centres often have a mixture of local and international shops; fun family activities like bowling or trampoline parks; and a variety of restaurants to choose from. In addition, they are typically anchored with one of several major supermarkets, all of which offer a wide range of groceries to suit many cuisines. Kenya boasts incredible fresh produce, and you’ll also find many green grocers and other specialised food shops like bakeries and butcher shops, found in both the larger malls and in smaller corner shopping centres, which can often provide great options in walking distance from your home, depending on the neighbourhood.
Photo by Grace Nandi on Unsplash
While Nairobi has many areas that are modern and built up with residential apartment buildings and commercial offices, we also have a wealth of beautiful natural spaces that are lovingly maintained. Nairobi National Park is the only national park in the world found within a capital city, and hosts a wide range of wildlife, from Cape buffalo, zebra, and giraffes to lions and rhinos. Enjoy day trips in the park, which has an entrance fee payable online prior to visiting, either on a self-driving basis or with a hired car and guide. Karura Forest is a beautiful 1,041-hectare reserve and a favourite spot for many locals. There is a small entrance fee, with annual passes available, and once inside, you can bike, jog, walk your dog, play football or tennis, have a picnic, or enjoy a meal at one of the on-site cafés. Karura borders many neighbourhoods popular with expats, including Muthaiga, Gigiri, and Thigiri. The smaller Arboretum offers a similar experience, with beautiful greenery and ample trails to explore in a more central location for State House, Lavington, Kilimani, and Kileleshwa neighbourhoods. Ngong Forest and Oloolua Forest are beautiful options to explore for those living in Karen.
Nairobi has an exciting food and nightlife scene, which you’ll love to explore. More central neighbourhoods like Westlands have a higher concentration of restaurants and bars, but there are amazing neighbourhood spots spread throughout the city, with a wide range of cuisines represented. As you’re narrowing down your preferred location, our team will be happy to point out some favourite spots in the area.
One other important consideration for location is security. It is important to be security conscious in Nairobi, and your employer may have specific parameters in terms of where you can be located. When renting a home, your service charge will often include security, and different types of properties offer benefits you may want to seek out.
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Types of Homes for Rent in Nairobi
Nairobi offers a similar range of home varieties as you would find in other major world cities, but there are some aspects of Nairobi living that perhaps give them unique benefits here.
In the more central neighbourhoods, you’ll find many apartment complexes, each with their own appeal. These buildings often offer backup power in case of outages, something that can happen in Nairobi for scheduled maintenance and because of equipment failure for a range of reasons, including inclement weather. One thing to check for is parking allocation, and guest parking spaces if you enjoy hosting. Nairobi has a famously great climate, so many locals enjoy having a balcony, and a lot of buildings will offer some kind of shared outdoor space, whether a garden or a rooftop terrace. Other amenities you might look for include a swimming pool, children’s playground, and gym, as having these facilities within your building offers convenience and accessibility.
In addition to apartment buildings, there are many communities in Nairobi made up of townhouses, duplexes, or clusters of small apartment buildings. These communities typically offer larger layouts, more outdoor space, and more shared amenities, like pools, gardens, lawns, playgrounds, gyms, and clubhouses. There are also plenty of gated communities with standalone homes, which offer similar amenities with a bit more privacy. These can be a great option for families, where children can enjoy riding bikes and playing along quiet, safe streets.
Finally, Nairobi offers a gorgeous range of standalone homes, from charming cottages to vast ambassadorial manors. Depending on the neighbourhood, these houses may have a private garden and gate, but still be found within a larger compound with more homes.
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What's included with Serviced Homes in Nairobi
In most cases, when renting homes, security services are provided as part of the service charge, which may be included or excluded from the listed rental price – an important distinction to note when comparing properties.
Security is one of the more important aspects of your rental home’s servicing. Common security measures in Nairobi include a manned gate from the main road, CCTV cameras, and electric fencing around the perimeter of the compound or estate. In addition, many apartment buildings or gated communities may offer an intercom system for communication with the guards at the gate.
Back-up power may or may not be provided by your rental. As mentioned, large buildings or complexes may have automatic generators that kick in, whereas standalone homes might have a generator available that needs to be manually turned on if the outage is on the longer side. Power inverters are also a common amenity, providing a more limited runtime but perfect for bridging the gap for short disruptions.
In an apartment complex or gated community, your service fee would also typically include landscaping and gardening, and maintenance for common areas. Many standalone homes also include these services in your rent, but it is important to clarify as you understand the terms of your lease. Further, you should understand your obligations for water and power payments, which are often – but not always – fully included.
Common rental terms would include paying the first month, last month, and a security deposit at the time of taking on a home, with rent subsequently paid on a monthly or quarterly basis. Our agents will work with you to ensure that you fully understand the terms of your lease, and that it includes everything you personally need.Nairobi has an exciting food and nightlife scene, which you’ll love to explore. More central neighbourhoods like Westlands have a higher concentration of restaurants and bars, but there are amazing neighbourhood spots spread throughout the city, with a wide range of cuisines represented. As you’re narrowing down your preferred location, our team will be happy to point out some favourite spots in the area.
One other important consideration for location is security. It is important to be security conscious in Nairobi, and your employer may have specific parameters in terms of where you can be located. When renting a home, your service charge will often include security, and different types of properties offer benefits you may want to seek out.
See the property listing here
Settling In To Your Nairobi Home
There are a lot of beautiful fully furnished homes available in Nairobi if you prefer options that are move-in ready.
If, on the other hand, you prefer to source your own furnishings, there are a wide variety of resources available to you. “Unfurnished” can have varying meanings depending on the country. Unlike the US, for example, an unfurnished home in Nairobi will often not come with kitchen appliances like the refrigerator or cooker. Unlike Germany, for example, it will often come with a fitted kitchen, including cupboards, counters, and sinks. Some rental apartments and homes have some appliances built in, like the hobs, ovens, and microwaves, so if in doubt, just ask our agents to clarify for any given property.
For large appliances, there are many retailers you can purchase from, including the larger supermarkets or direct shops for specific brands. This is true for electronics like televisions as well.
There are a wealth of furniture stores in Nairobi, from large retailers to small boutique shops. There are also plenty of options for having custom pieces made, from artisan creators to Nairobi’s famous jua kali craftsmen, who work and sell their wares on the roadside. For decor, you’ll love browsing the amazing creations made locally, whether in made in Kenya shops or at markets, like weekly Maasai markets or at more sporadic craft markets, which bring together some of the most exciting local brands, often on a semiannual basis in November/December and June/July.
Our team would be happy to connect you with the best resources for setting up your household – just let us know what you’re looking for!
Depending on where you’re coming from and your past history with living abroad, we know that moving to Nairobi may seem a bit daunting. But we love our beautiful city in the sun, and we will make sure that your experience getting settled in is just the start of experiencing what an incredible, vibrant place modern Nairobi is. Contact us to get started with our trusted, certified agents, and make your first friend in the city!
Contact us to work with our award winning team! Eden Heights is here to meet all your needs, start the conversation today: +254 721 700 363 | adam@edenheightsrealty.com
Featured image by Amani Nation on Unsplash