ADVICE ON LIVING EXPENSE IN MOST OF THE CITIES AND TOWNS IN KENYA

Dear Friends

I hope this details will help you much, the details below are from my current experience in Nairobi

I am living in Nairobi

Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya in East Africa

Cost of Living in Nairobi, Kenya

Housing : Housing price depends on different areas

Parklands (where there is most of the indians are living)

1 br approx 25,000 to 30,000 unfurnished
2 br approx 35,000 to 45,000 unfurnished
3 br approx 50,000 to 65,000 unfurnished

Westlands (where there is most of the white people are living)

2 br approx 55,000 to 70,000
3 br approx 80,000 to 120,000


House renting

there is agreement between you and landlord, but make sure that before taking accommodation please check whether there is electrical fencing and sufficient water

Driving

due to security reasons in Nairobi most of the people are having cars, now the fuel price is Kshs 85 per litre. sometimes here its heavy traffic mainly in rainy times you may struck in the traffic, until you used in nairobi area do not drive the vehicles in the streets prefer main road because of some security reasons

Weather: very nice weather, 12 Degrees to max 25 degrees

Language: in Nairobi advantage is that everybody speaks English (even vegetable markets also)

Paying Guest: here lots of Paying guest accommodations available, they will charge Kshs Min 18,000 to 25,000 for a person per month included below

Washing clothes and pressing, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Accommodation with one bed

Salary: if you are 2 persons you should get the minimum net salary here is Kshs 75,000 pm
if you are a employee and your company is providing housing its big advantage because they will arrange for you accommodation (depends on your agreement with the employer)

Expenses:

Electricity : Kshs 1,000 pm for a single person but for family of 3 persons 3,000 to 5,000 pm
Water : Kshs 500 pm for a single persons but for family 1,000 to 2,500
Grocessry : Kshs 15,000 for two persons per month (basic things with non-veg)

Transport by Car: Minimum charges of Kshs 200 & maximum depends on your destination
there is no electronic meter system for taxis in Nairobi

* Nairobi is the expensive than other african countries

Outside food: for 2 persons including drinks (beer, cool drinks etc.) it may cost you Ksh 3,000 to 5,000

Vegetables: there is plenty of supermarkets and vegetable markets.

Telephone: communication is very expensive from mobiles (to India Kshs 25 per minute), from internet it will be very cheap (from internet Kshs 5-8 per minute)

Currency: Kenya Shillings (1 USD = Kshs 75-80)

Office timings: the office timings are normally from 7.40 am to 5.00 pm

Entertainments: Theatres, Casino, Night disco, Shopping.


*When i was coming to Nairobi i confused a lot about how to live there because i don't anybody here
so that is reason i like to give the guidance to others from experience

hi
i am srinivas,from India.in the month of july end i come to Nairobi on job purpose i read your article regarding expensive in Nairobi,
Please help me to get a PG home at Nairobi(Below 25000 kenya shillings)

Please do me this favour,

Thanking you,

Hello vvsrinivasbabu.

Welcome to Expat.com!

This thread is dated 2011.

For your accommodation research, you can try to post an advert in the housing in Kenya section. It could help.

Thank you,
Aurélie

Hi Srini,
Welcome to Expat.com!!!
Send me your phone no. in my message box. there is Gujju Aunty in my contact she provide PG acco. i think it will cost you 25k KSH including Food, i will forward your details to her. then after she will giv u a call or coordinate with you accordinly.
Cheerzz

Regards
Rohit Eleazer