Pros and Cons of Living in Kenya
Last updated on Apr 09, 2023
Summary: The pros of living in Kenya include its diverse culture, beautiful landscapes, and vibrant cities. Kenya is also home to some of the world's most iconic wildlife, making it a great destination for nature lovers. Additionally, the country has a strong economy and is a great place to start a business. On the other hand, the cons of living in Kenya include the high cost of living, the prevalence of poverty, and the risk of crime. Additionally, the country is prone to natural disasters such as floods and droughts, which can cause significant disruption to everyday life.
What are the pros and cons of living in Kenya?
Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Kenya responded:
"Expats and digital nomads in Kenya often appreciate the country's warm climate, diverse culture, and friendly people. They also enjoy the low cost of living, which allows them to stretch their money further. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the infrastructure and public services in Kenya to be lacking, as well as the lack of reliable internet access in some areas. Additionally, the high levels of crime and corruption can be a deterrent for some," remarked one expat in Kenya.
"Nairobi is a beautiful and dynamic city...full of contrasts and economic disparities. The weather and vegetation and fresh food/produce are amazing. Kenya is a young and youthful country teaming with potential and growing exponentially in development. It is also becoming more and more cosmopolitan. It s the tech hub for East Africa n a huge gateway city for the region. Touristy things to do are abundant and the country is diverse in people n landscapes and just stunningly beautiful. People are generally spite,warm and friendly...but some friendly folk are scammers, conpeople or will use friendship with expats for financial benefits. On the other hand poverty is rampant so one must be prepared to live more generously than we do in the west. Water, electricity n internet are not dependable but fairly doable overall...crime and corruption are rampant...there s a lot to learn in order to avoid them (hopefully!! But no guarantees). Traffic is AWFUL n unpredictable... it s good to live as close as possible to your work and all the adverts that say only 20 or 30 minutes from somewhere are false advertisements. 20 minutes on your best day can easily be 2 hours another day," explained one expat in Nairobi.
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About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
Other Questions:
- How do I meet people in Kenya?
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- Is there a lot of crime in Kenya?
- What do I need to know before retiring in Kenya?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Kenya accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Kenya like?
- Is the cost of living in Kenya high?
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- What are healthcare services like in Kenya?
- Is the cost of living in Kenya high?
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- What is the weather like in Kenya?
- Are there good restaurants in Kenya?
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- What do I need to know when buying property in Kenya?
- Are foreigners allowed to own property in Kenya?
- What appliances are typically included in a rental?