" My husband has been offered a position in Kenya and is keen to go. We have just returned from Saudi Arabia. I am, however, very reluctant and do not want to move there together with my two children aged 4 and 9 years. I would be very interested to learn from anyone of what expat life is like in Kenya or Nairobi. I do not quite know what I envisage - all animals and wildlife and a run down city, perhaps. What sort of accommodation is there - is it compound life or private homes. Shopping - do you struggle to get items we take for granted or are there supermarkets that are well stocked. Schools, are they of good academic standing. Is it safe - would I as a female feel safe driving around. What does the expat female do? Is it possible to get work? I would be most grateful to get some feedback of whatever nature in order to make a decision. Your time spent replying would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks. Fiona Leach "

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" Dear Fiona I am writing to ask if your family has indeed relocated to Nairobi. My husband has just received a 1-yr assignment with the International Union of Conservation in Nairobi. We are currently in the midst of closing down our flat in Spain and packing our personal belongings (which includes a Suzuki Samurai Jeep) in a container from Valencia (Spain, where we reside presently) to Embakasi, Nairobi. As our allocated relocation budget is extremely limited, we do not have the luxury of engaging a professional removal company. We are in fact planningn to ship our car and personal belongings in a 20'' container and having it consigned to Embakasi (the sea journey will take roughly a month from Valencia-Rotterdam-Djibouti-Mombassa-inland to Embakasi). As a member of a NGO, we were advised that our personal effects and car will not be subject to import duties. However, we should seek adequate insurance coverage for all contents. I am wondering if you or anyone in Nairobi reading this mail can give me any practical advice or warning about our plans above. As much as my husband is optimistic that our container will arrive in Embakasi without a scratch and that we would be able to appoint a good shipping agent in Nairobi to handle the customs clearance, I am rather concerned about whether it is indeed a good idea at all to ship our own container. I much prefer to air-freight essential items. And have the car shipped over when we are familiar with the shipment procedures in Kenya. Any type of advice is warmly welcomed. Regards Linda "

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" Dear Fiona I am writing to ask if your family has indeed relocated to Nairobi. My husband has just received a 1-yr assignment with the International Union of Conservation in Nairobi. We are currently in the midst of closing down our flat in Spain and packing our personal belongings (which includes a Suzuki Samurai Jeep) in a container from Valencia (Spain, where we reside presently) to Embakasi, Nairobi. As our allocated relocation budget is extremely limited, we do not have the luxury of engaging a professional removal company. We are in fact planningn to ship our car and personal belongings in a 20'' container and having it consigned to Embakasi (the sea journey will take roughly a month from Valencia-Rotterdam-Djibouti-Mombassa-inland to Embakasi). As a member of a NGO, we were advised that our personal effects and car will not be subject to import duties. However, we should seek adequate insurance coverage for all contents. I am wondering if you or anyone in Nairobi reading this mail can give me any practical advice or warning about our plans above. As much as my husband is optimistic that our container will arrive in Embakasi without a scratch and that we would be able to appoint a good shipping agent in Nairobi to handle the customs clearance, I am rather concerned about whether it is indeed a good idea at all to ship our own container. I much prefer to air-freight essential items. And have the car shipped over when we are familiar with the shipment procedures in Kenya. Any type of advice is warmly welcomed. Regards Linda "

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" Hello, You''ve asked many questions, so if I miss any, please let me know. Expat life can be wonderful in Nairobi. It is high-altitude tropics, which means a wonderful climate. There are many other expats in the city, so you can always find other people from your home country and culture. Because it is the capital city and because there are so many expats there are great schools available (you have to look but they are there). And of course, you''re in the middle of Africa with a game park 15minutes away. There are downsides. It''s a dirty city and the crime rate is high. However, you can beautify the place you live and if you follow a few simple rules, you can avoid the crime. The houses are fairly spacious and very comfortable. You can live in either a compound or private home. You will have an askari (guard) with both options. Supermarkets are very well stocked - you can get anything. You will pay more for items that are specifically marketed to expats (such as certain American brands), but everything is available (that is new in the last 5 years, it used to be pretty hard to get many items). There are wonderful fruit and vegetable markets were prices are low and quality is high. As I mentioned there are excellent schools. I don''t have any children, but have friends who have been thrilled with the choices they made. You will have pay a fair bit for the better schools. One of the reasons for the good schools is the fact that Nairobi is the hub in Africa for international organizations - the place is crawling in non-Kenyans. I''m female and I felt safe driving around in the daytime. I didn''t drive by myself after dark, and frankly I wouldn''t recommend men driving alone after dark. We took taxi''s (inexpensive), if we were downtown or in certain suburbs in the evenings. As far as jobs for women, I''m sorry, I don''t know. I didn''t have to look for a job while I was there. I was working in relief and development and got my job when I was still in North America. I don''t know if that helps at all. I love Kenya. Nairobi isn''t my favorite part of the country, but it''s still pretty good. If you live outside of the city, you experience the culture and the incredible Kenyan people - but you lose the conveniences of the city. If I can answer any questions, please let me know. Sheila "

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Dear Linda,
In researching a move from Miami to Nairobi, I came across your message and am wondering how you made out? I am a single woman, and plan to come to Nairobi in April for 4-6 weeks to see what I might be able to do there (I have to decided to get out of corporate life after 15 very successful years and do something entirely different, preferrably related to wildlife conservation. I speak 5 languages, and know I would pick up Swahili with relative ease. So, I am curious to know if all your belongings made it, and if you have settled in. Do you have a job? Is it difficult as a foreigner to get a work permit? How do you like living in Nairobi?
I would be most appreciate of any info or feedback you can give me on your own experiences.
Thanks!
Petra.

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Hello. I read your email with interest and was curious as to the cost of housing in Nairobi. Is it expensive to get a decent 2-3 bedrrom house/Apartment???

Also, how expensive is it to visit some of the reserves that you see on TV and are full of tourists?

thanks,

PJB

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I am a Kenyan lady by the names Edith Munubbe(mrs). I would like to help you for I had been helping overseas volunteers coming for workcamps in Kenya.
It depends with where you want to stay. There 3 areas to stay. And the rent depends with the area which ranges from U$150,000 to 25,000. It is easy to get an apartment of 2-3 bedroom.
The tourist agents arranges for tour to destination of your choice. Transport depends with on how you want it to be. Going with other tourist or car hire and the prices depends with the choice you make. In total for a weekend out you will be ready to cough around U$50,000. This will include transport, food and nights out.
Feel free to communicate to me for more information.
Best Regard, Edith

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Hi Edith,

I was wondering if you could help me wiith any information.
I am english and live with my french husband in Paris France.
He has got a great job offer in a logde near Nanyuki.

I have 2 children 10 & 12,we would have to live in Nanyuki
but I am worried about the children could I educate them there?
would they have a social life?Could I find other expats families living
there that my children could play with.I teach english ESL and thought I could do some volunteer work locally.

I don't want to turn the job down until I find out that it isnt possible.

Thanks very much
Evellen

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Dear Edith,
We are arriving Nairobi May 24,2007 and wish to stay through June and most of July. This is a Humanitarian trip to help with children afflicted with HIV/AIDS at Nyumbani Orphanage. We have found 3-4 bedroom homes that we can afford but they are unfurnished and we are not shiipping furniture.
Do you know of any secure homes that are furnished around Karen, Kilimani, Kileshwa or Lavington? We have been to Kenya before and know that we need to stay west of the city. Gigiri is fine as it's in the Westlands. We have references and if we can find a suitable home we are seriously thinking of retiring there. My husband is a pilot and I am a free lance writer and am writing a book based in part in Kenya.
We can pay up to $1500.00 USD or a little higher if it's furnished. My boys will be with me. My son Phillip is Kenyan and 30. My other guy is just 20. We need to have security and internet. We have friends in Nairobi that can staff our house.
Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated. These children need not be the "Lost Generation" and should be given the love and support that is lacking not only in Kenya but all areas of Africa. We just love Kenya and since we can't trot around the continent as I have MS. Someone once asked me how I can pick and choose where to help. My answer was "find a place close to your heart and give all the help you can."
Best Regards,
Cassy

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Hi Edith, am enquiring about apartments can you help me?

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Hi...i'm currently living in Nairobi and have all the time in the world as i'm a part time web designer. I've come up with a website, www.kenya.co.ke where you can search where to eat, stay, an adventure or watch a movie to make your work easy. the website is still in its baby steps but has useful information about kenya. it can be a good starting point as i continue to endevour in making kenya's premier info source... your ideas are also welcome in terms of improving it...if you are looking for an apartment or anything, i can go out of my way and research for you as i have time and a database with info...hope you enjoy your stay in kenya

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Hi there,
My husband and i with our one year old are planning to move to Nairobi in September if al goes well. We are still considering whether we should move to Kenya or not. Our situation is a bit complicated .we are wondering if you can provide information on medical facilities available in Kenya. Our first child is an IVF baby and we would want to have another baby. Job oppertunity is quite good but we don't know if we will be able to persue IVF for the second time in Nairobi . I would be really grateful if you can help give me some information regarding "IVF facilities" being able in Hospitals.
Regards,
Nado

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Hi, Fiona. I moved to Narobi from the UK with my husband two months ago because of his job assignment. Hope that I am able to answer your questions.

The accommodation here consists of both compound and houses, but mostly compound flats close to city. They are normally walled and secured by guards. The one that we stay is very pleasant and has friendly neighbours from defferent countries, who work for embassys, NGOs, UN.... all together 24 families. Shopping, you can find all kind of food in shopping centres scattered throughout the town, including the western commodities. Fruits and vegs are very cheap and fresh. You probably have to find the authentic western food in some specilised shops and pay slightly more than you pay in your country.

Public transport is bad. You'd better to own a car take taxi. Luckily, the taxi is not very expensive, but without meters, so one has to grasp the normal rate preparing to cut down when some drivers ask for higher.

Yes, you are right. Nairobi is a very backward place with rather broken infrastructure. There is no departement shops here. You, however, can find very westernised places to go and find what you need - the Villiege Centre, Yaya Centre, Junction Centre, to name a few. The atomasphere is relaxing and laid back. People are friendly. There are some decent gyms and schools around and information can be found via internet - two good websites are:
http://www.nairobist.com/
http://www.theexpatriate.org/
among lots.

Oh, I have to remind you that the telephone service is notorious here so that tele communication relies on mobiles; and the Internet connect connection is still ADSL, which at times can be very slow.

Well, hope I am not scaring you off. We acturally quite enjoy the life here. I have started to make friends and do part time job.

It is coincident that I am making enquiries into IVF. You can google 'IVF Narirobi' and see several newly established IVF labs - e.g. Nairobi IVF centre, Nairobi Women Hospital. The former one seems to have state-of-art facilities. I am not sure about the rate of success and just about to go into the details with the ones I select. And if you need my update, I am more than happy to do it. If you could tell me your experience I will be very grateful.

Well, hope this helps. My email address is: junelu@hotmail.co.uk for your future reference.

All the best
June

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Sorry, mess up messages with another question. Please ignore the part about IVF. June

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Hi, there. Please google 'Nairobi IVF' and you will find several labs doing this. Good luck.

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