Moving to Kenya

If you're planning a move to Kenya, expats there offer advice about what they wish they had know before moving to Kenya - topics covered include deciding where to live, what to bring, housing, banking, healthcare in Kenya and more.

Deciding Where to Live in Kenya

When we asked expats living in Kenya to offer newcomers advice about choosing a neighborhood and finding a home, they replied:

"Our employer Kaluworks provided us a well furnished apartment in an expat compound in Tudor," said one expat who moved to Mombasa, Kenya.

"Was born here so I am somewhat familiar with the areas, but after so many years away, use someone local that you trust. Keep in mind "Help" is not free in Kenya, even when people are supposed to do their job," mentioned another expat when asked about moving to Kenya.

What to Bring When Moving to Kenya (and what to leave behind)

When we asked expats living in Kenya what they wish they had brought when moving to Kenya and what they wish they had left at home, they replied:

"Food stuffs, but that is unrealistic since you can adjust quickly to local foods," said one expat who moved to Nairobi, the whole country, Kenya.

Advice for People Moving to Kenya

"Choose a safe neighborhood with many expats. Gated compounds with security and alarm systems are good," said one expat who moved to Mombasa, Kenya.

"Although Kenyans are generally good people, don't trust everyone. It's a very corrupt country. Oh, one more thing, don't be late to get home, car jacking and robbery at night are common," mentioned another expat when asked about moving to Kenya.

Typical Housing for Expats

When we asked expats in Kenya about the type of home or apartment they life in and whether that is typical for expats, they replied:

"It's a spacious l 2 bedroom comfortably furnished apartment. This is the standard for most expats," said one expat who moved to Mombasa, Kenya.

Housing Costs in Kenya

"Housing is around 30/35 thousand Kenyan shillings. It is the same or even lower than in my host country," said one expat who moved to Mombasa, Kenya.

"Higher, we paid $560 for a townhouse in a small town in Norway and now we pay 900 for an apt simply because of the area and locals jack up the price for foreigners," mentioned another expat when asked about moving to Kenya.

Finding a Job in Kenya

If you're searching for a job in Kenya, expats talk about popular industries and how expats find employment.

"NGOs obviously big business. Advertising, banking, tourism, agriculture. www.myafricancareer.com," said one expat who moved to Nairobi, Kenya.

Expat Health Insurance in Kenya

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.