This is the best guide on moving and living in Kenya. It is the best guide that covers anyone from any country moving to Kenya.This also give you tips on moving to Nairobi with professional relocation services in Kenya, security, best estates, expat advice, and all you need to know.

Kenya is an interesting country to visit and stay in because of its beautiful weather, attractions, peoples hospitality, lifestyle, and general development. Both economic and infrastructural developments.

Other than development, there are lots of other things that attract people to Kenya. In fact, there are thousands of things you should know about moving and living in Kenya that this post will only try to expound on.

Moving To Kenya

Shifters and Movers being one of the best moving, housing, and interior design Company, we have lots of experiences to give you first-hand facts about moving and living in Kenya. If you are purely looking for relocation services, tap and place a call for a personalized guide and quotation via 0799922285

The beauty is that we not only give you the best facts about moving and living in Kenya but also do it since it is our only profession. We are experts in moving and relocation services and we focus on providing expat professional relocation services in Kenya.

We are well known for guiding and facilitating people relocating and moving to Kenya and its cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru etc. Also, enjoy some of the best places to live in Kenya.

Therefore, we give you this guide with the intention to guide you on how to move to Kenya and how to get the best place to live. Generally, we want you to have the best tips about Kenya.

If you are moving to Kenya, below is a discussion of important things you need to know as you plan to move and live in Kenya;

Things to Know Before Moving to Kenya

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1. Kenya Location

Kenya is a country located in the East of Africa and it borders the Indian Ocean to the east. Its neighboring countries include Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Somalia to the northeast.

It is the best-performing economy in East Africa based on its ports, development and security. If you are moving to Kenya or generally in East Africa, you will note the largest airport is Jomo Kenyatta international airport in Nairobi. The gateway of East Africa.

Moreover, the largest seaport in the region is at the Kenyan Coast, Mombasa, and the newly launched deep Lamu port. The port comes with a East African corridor known as Lamu-Souther-Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport Corridor LAPPSET. Great to business!

This makes Kenya a transport and international trade hub. And as we commonly say, Karibu Kenya; Karibu Africa; the home of safari and diversity.

2. Currency & Smart Money Transactions

Are you planning to move to Kenya? You need to understand the Kenya currency, transaction tech, and smart money trends in Kenya? Kenya uses shilling as the main currency. The strongest currency in East Africa.

However, the USD is the second currency accepted and traded across the country. The average exchange rate is $1 to Kes 130 as of March 2023.

Therefore, if you looking for houses in Kenya, clothes, food, or any other product or service for purchase, consider having your money in Kenya Shillings. Similarly, if you are looking to import to Kenya, a dollar is much better.

That is why in hotels, tours, travel, and many other foreign trading organizations, the USD is well accepted. As Kenya develops technologically and economically, most people trade via mobile transfer and debit/credit cards.

You can pay directly from your bank with your phone or card in most shops and malls across the country. Have you heard of Mpesa?

Mpesa is a smart money transaction service where you send, receive, and pay everything and anything from your mobile. Mpesa is one of the safest mobile money services in Kenya.

Almost anyone with a phone in Kenya uses Mpesa for their daily transaction. So if you are planning to move to Kenya, prepare to register and get a Safaricom sim card that comes with Mpesa mobile money tech.

Mpesa is cashless, faster, and easy way to tap and mobile transact. In offering our professional relocation services in Kenya, 80% of our moving and relocation clients pay via Mpesa.

This the best solid innovation moving Kenya to global innovations.

3. Economic Development

Kenya is a safe and well-performing economy. The economy has been growing over the years because of business development, agriculture, tourism, real estate, and technology development.

However, covid-19 slowed that growth growth tempo but we are quickly recouping

So if you are moving to Kenya, the above mentioned areas are the best performing sectors to invest or work in personal or business development.

This World Bank Economic report can further give you a better insight into Kenya’s economic development for the last decade.

To show you the range of estate prices, there is this publication to show you some of the luxury estates we have in Nairobi. And on comparison, we give you the best affordable estates in the same city, Nairobi.

4. Kenya Hospitality, People & Culture

When you are planning your relocation to Kenya, you should consider the local people and the culture as key influence to your stay. It is quite devastating to indulge in a culture that you hardly connect and engage as freely as you’d want.

However, the people of Kenya are highly hospitable. I would confidently say Kenyans and the Kenyan culture is the best leading attraction for the country over the years.

People are just easy and freely engaging, sharing and welcoming. What else would you really want other than to have that good welcoming?

English and Swahili form the common languages in all cities across the country. This makes Kenya an International and African hub to easily communicate and live with ease. Come and learn some Swahili in a space where English is well spoken.

Moving and living in Kenya is easy since you can easily connect, communicate and engage. Try us in your relocations and you’ll love our conversation from the call to the engagement on the ground.

Surprisingly, there are 45 different communities that form the diversity and beauty of cultural tourism. That means different foods, beliefs, dances, wears, languages, and general attractiveness.

We can’t write enough about the Kenyan culture, tour if you have to and enjoy all these.

5. Kenyan Lifestyle

The Kenyan lifestyle is quite an easy, progressive, and yet resilient one. Kenyans generally are fun people to be with; from office, schools, and business, and even in social circles.

As usual, most people from Monday to Thursday are quite busy working, however, Friday tends to be an energy fun-filled day gearing for weekend fun.

People love fun Fridays where they enjoy Nyama Choma, social dances, catch social drinks, and office parties. Moreover, Kenyans love Nyama Choma, grilled meat with some drinks on holidays.

There are lots of shopping malls, clubs, and hotels for all these events. If you are moving to Nairobi, just be ready for the weekends. Moving and living in Kenya is just great and fun.

We are a happy young nation. We should just be an island of good living.

6. Safety & Security in Kenya

Kenya is a safe and secure country. Unlike the old days when Al-Shabaab used to attack towns and cities in Kenya, Kenya has been super safe in the last few years. The police and private securities have been beefed up over the past few years.

The ratio of police to the people is well proportional according to the international standards hence making it safe. Moreover, most cities have been installed with CCTV hence reducing criminals’ activities.

When did you last hear of an attach of crime in any city in Kenya? We are on the ground and it is super safe.

Good police response to issues further has played a major role in improving security. Generally, Kenyans are caring people, we hardly have issues amongst us and with our visitors.

However, we always advise people moving to Kenya to find a house in a good place that has super guarantee security.

Therefore, a tip for those moving and living in Kenya or if you are looking for houses in Kenya; always be diligent in personal choice.

Don’t put your finger in the fire yet you know it’s burning hot. Don’t invest or move into petty crime areas, some few cropping buds of ‘bad fruits’ could train how to steal with you.

7. Best Places in Kenya

Kenya has lots of places to visit and live. According to Serene Destination, Kenya is the only country in East Africa with the most natural and man-made attractions in all its cities and towns.

If you are moving to Kenya, you are lucky, every town in Kenya has an attraction and a fascinating story. Did you know Kitale town hosts the smallest national park in Kenya? That is Saiwa National Park.

Did you also know Saiwa National Park hosts the special small Sitatunga antelope? Well, that is just a pinch of the many best places in Kenya.

Moreover, anyone moving and living in Kenya should know the best attractions in the country. Some of the best tourist attractions to visit in Kenya include national parks, national reserves, and private conservancies.

Nevertheless, Nairobi remains one of the best places in all ways. All see the best estates to live in Karen, a well known international village in Nairobi.

8. Cost of Living in Kenya

The cost of living in Kenya is fairly good compared to other big countries around the globe. However, living in the cities in Kenya is more expensive than in most countries in Africa.

Nonetheless, the cost of living in Nairobi is quite expensive compared to living in other cities in East Africa. According to numbeo, it cost an average of Ksh. 192,000 which is approximately USD 1750 to keep a family of four in Nairobi in a standard estate for a month.

On the other side, it cost approximately Ksh. 500,00 to keep a single person in a standard estate in Nairobi per year. However, this is way cheaper compared to living in cities like London and New York.

Therefore moving and living in Kenya could be expensive based on where you chose to live in Kenya. Always budget higher, relocating and moving to Nairobi could cost you more. You can see great tips of Do’s and Don’t of Moving to a new Place in Kenya.

Moreover, houses in Kenya are fairly cheap in comparison to other cities in Europe and America. Also enjoy some guide of the things to note before moving to a new house, that will guide you on the factors to consider for moving and living in Kenya.

9. Schools & Education

Kenya has a mixture of all types of schools and academic institutions. These range from international, private, public, and organizational base.

However, the education system offered ranges from competency-based curriculum to all international programs as chosen by each school management.

Moreover, this guide shows the level of education competency in Kenya. A country with a well-educated population and a competitive generation with skills.

Therefore, for anyone moving to Kenya, looking for houses in Kenya, or even moving to Nairobi, there are lots of schools and academic programs to choose from. Moving and living in Kenya guarantee you a good education base.

10. Innovation & Technology

When it comes to smart tech and innovation, Kenya is a shining giant based on its highly educated new generation of graduates.

Did you know Kenya is one of the few counties in Africa with many tech kid’s schools?

This makes it’s a tech-based economy and innovative developments. You must have heard of innovations Mpesa,  Ihub, Learning Lions, Startup Lions, Digi Kids, among many others.

Therefore moving to Kenya and especially anyone moving to Nairobi, you stand at the center of innovation and technology in Africa.

11. Sports & Marathon

Most people hear of Marathon and think of Kenya. Well, we are good in marathons and that’s a world-acclaimed position for Kenya.

Kenya is generally a sport country, it is not only good in marathons but also Safari Sevens of rugby, the Safari World Rally Championships, Swimming, among many others.

If you are moving to Kenya or moving to Nairobi, don’t mind telling us to help you identify the best sports games around your chosen area.

12. Tourism in Kenya

Here’s our token factor, TOURISM; Kenya is the home of the best Africa safari experience. Moving to Kenya gives you exposure to 24 national parks, 15 national reserves, and 6 marine parks in Kenya.

There are thousands of conservation centers ranging from forests, sanctuaries, heritage sites, and many more. However, the best places to visit in Kenya include the Masai Mara where there is annual wildebeest migration.

Mombasa host Haller park, fort Jesus, parks, hotels, cultural centers, and many more. This attraction guide can help you see more attractions in Kenya.

As a leading moving company in Kenya, we can guarantee anyone moving and living in Kenya is not limited to the few things we can write.

There are lots of thousands of areas to engage and thrive in. Why not consult us and we’ll help you through?

Allow us to show you the best process of how to move and relocate to Kenya from any country.

How to Relocate to Kenya

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1. Get all the Legal Documents

The following are the legal requirements for anyone who want to relocate to Kenya;

Passport with a good legit visa entry

Work permit for anyone moving to Kenya for work-related issues.

Once you have all your documents, prepare for a linking person in Kenya.

2. Prepare for Links in Kenya

If you are moving to Kenya or to Nairobi, you need a connecting friend or company to help you through. More often, you need a holding hand to guide you despite doing your good research online.

As a team offering professional relocation services in Kenya, we can fill in the gap for you. We have a team that deals with housing if you are looking for houses in Kenya among many other engagements.

Basically, we will attach you to a professional and grounds person to help you settle, tour, shop, and live without pressure or misplacement.

The key secret is to find a reliable and trustworthy person, can we help you? Contact us here if you particularly need a person to help you with anything related to ground linking and settling. Don’t go for cheap services, they will surprise you as described here.

3. Confirm all Your Ground Handling

After finding and getting your link person or company in Kenya, confirm all your ground handling processes. This is divided into several sections that include;

• People moving and living in Kenya,
• People coming for work engagement,
• And people coming to tour Kenya.

For people moving to live in Kenya, ensure you have a good house management person or company. They will help you move in, clean, and keep everything well. If you are moving to live in Kenya, see the best option between buying and building a house in Kenya.

For people moving to work in Kenya, confirm your temporal dwelling house among the many choices you could be having. Plan on how to connect from your house to work and how to live every other normal day.

For people moving to Kenya for tour purposes, just confirm your itinerary with your tour manager. In all these, confirm with your linking person for an efficient stay and experience in Kenya.

Ensure you’ve made all your bookings and necessary payments at this stage.

4. Confirm Your Dates and Pack

After confirming and affirming all your links and stay are all set for your coming, and there’s nothing holding you back, confirm your date and start packing immediately.

Do the packing early to ensure you don’t forget to pack some important details. This not only gives you peace but also makes your moving to Kenya easily and efficiently.

This is the ultimate guide on How to Prepare for Moving with a Checklist, for both your home and office.

5. Travel, Arrive and Thrive

Inform your concerned team of the time you’re boarding your flight for travel. Moreover, give your airport pick-up team your expected time of arrival. It is the most basic thing you need to do.

This will make your arrival efficient. Upon arrival, contact your team for ease in pick up. Move into your house or hotel. Work with your ground handling agent to help you move around, shop, tour, and thrive in what you do.

Note; Meet and Connect

Meet people like us, we connect you to lots of city service and help you fix a few things here and there. Ain’t that the good helping friend the bible talks about?

Since Nairobi is the ultimate home for foreigners, let’s look for the best tips and key points for moving and living in Nairobi.

Moving to Nairobi? Tips to Live and Survive in Nairobi

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Most people are moving to Nairobi for various reasons. However, some of them are getting confused and misguided by poor guides and stories from people living outside of Nairobi. Therefore we wish to demystify the facts from fallacy.

We give you experiential facts.

In fact, our professional relocation services in Kenya were founded and are headquartered in Nairobi. Hence our experience stands best to give you the best guide if you are moving to Nairobi. Below are things you need to know about Nairobi, facts about Moving to Nairobi.

• Best Places to live in Nairobi

Nairobi has two main distinct areas, the west lands side and east land side of Nairobi. The Westlands of Nairobi is expensive than the Eastland side. Moreover, it is where a high number of expats live.

Some of the best estates in Westland of Nairobi include Westlands town, Gigiri, Runda, and many more. Some of the best places to live in Nairobi on the Eastland side of Nairobi include Roysambu, Kahawa estates, Thome estate, Embakasi, and many more.

Where would you prefer to live in Nairobi? Share the reasons and we’ll tip you something about that place that you may not know. Here are best estates in Kiambu and their prices and you compare the same with best estates in Thika.

• Security in Nairobi

Nairobi is safe to live in and invest in. The best way to have good security in Nairobi is to ensure you live and invest in safe areas like in the uptown of Nairobi city and not downtown.

Moreover, living on the Westland side of Nairobi is super safe if you are moving to Nairobi. Remember that’s where 80% of expats live. So there’s no security compromise compared to downtown estates.

• Roads in Nairobi

Nairobi roads have received a total upgrade. In fact, Nairobi stands out as one of the best cities in Africa in terms of infrastructure.

Moreover, there are different expressways and bypasses coming up to reduce traffic and congestion from the airport to the city. See the best expressway road in Africa, right at the center of Nairobi city.

However, if you are moving and living in Kenya rural areas, you need a good car if you want to be enjoying safaris in the Nairobi National park and wild destinations in Kenya.

• Expats Tips

If you are an expat moving to Nairobi, find a good house, join a good country club for social development, and get a good car to tour Kenya on weekends and holidays.

Most importantly, have a local professional friend to connect you with society and social cultures. That is the best guide we can give to any foreigner moving and living in Kenya, especially if you are moving to Nairobi for the first time.

This tip and guide will make you love Kenya, know people, be safe, grow and eventually call Kenya a good home. We have practically helped lots of people in that.

Frequent Asked Questions for Moving and Living in Kenya

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1. Where is the best place to live in Kenya?

Some of the best places in Kenya are; Nairobi, Nanyuki, Nakuru, Mombasa, Eldoret, Kisumu, and Nyeri. In details, see the best places in Kenya.

2. How much does it cost to live in Kenya?

The cost of living in Kenya is averagely Ksh. 50,000 for lower middle income, Ksh. 100,000 for mid income, and 200,000 upper middle class per month. This cost of living is for people residing in middle class areas in Kenya.

However, for a single person living in a basic house on the Eastland side of Nairobi, you need at least Ksh. 50,000 per month for rent, food, public transport, and social engagement.

3. What makes Kenya the best place to live in Africa?

The best thing that makes Kenya the best place to live in Africa is because of the people of Kenya, natural beauty, and fantastic experiences.

Kenya has the best hospitable people, beautiful natural attractions, and is not limited to technology, destination, city, and cultural experiences.

4. How can I migrate and move to Kenya?

You need the right legal papers. You need a passport, visa for the required countries, and work permit for people moving to Kenya for work. You can get more of these from your immigration department.

5. Is Kenya safe to live in?

Yes, Kenya is a safe place to live. Moreover, for anyone moving and living in Kenya, it is always advisable to observe basic security measures.

6. Is it expensive to live in Kenya?

It is not expensive to live in Kenya. However, Nairobi is the only place where housing is a bit high in Kenya. Other things and places are quite affordable.

7. Which are the best towns to live in Kenya?

There are many towns to live in Kenya. Generally, the list could be so huge but as a provider of professional relocation services in Kenya we’d say Malindi, Nanyuki, Kitale, Eldoret, Kakamega, Lamu, etc.

These are the best estates in Nakuru and their prices. There are very many. Inbox on comments below we give you more.

8. Is Nairobi a safe place to live?

Nairobi is a safe place to live and work. The old rumors about attacks and terrorism is way back and outdated, we all live in harmony in Nairobi and across Kenya.

9. Is Nairobi expensive to live in?

Nairobi is a little bit expensive compared to other cities and towns in Kenya.

But it is not expensive compared to other cities across the globe. See this comparison research on the cost of living between Nairobi and Dallas in the USA. Also see best estates in Mombasa and their prices.

10. Is Nairobi good for expats?

Perfect good. Nairobi, Nanyuki, Mombasa, and Kisumu are the best places for expats in Kenya.

11. How much do you need to live in Nairobi?

For expats, you need at least Ksh. 300,000 to live in Nairobi nicely.

Moreover, for anyone else moving and living in the common areas with general services in Nairobi, you will need Ksh. 50,000 to live in Nairobi.

Here is are example of best estates in Embakasi and their prices

12. Which are the safest estates to live in Nairobi?

The safest estates in Nairobi are Karen, Muthaiga, Runda, Gigiri, and Lavington.

13. How much does it cost to buy a house in Nairobi?

The least amount you need to buy a small good house in Nairobi is from Ksh. 5 million.

14. How much does it cost to rent a house in Nairobi?

All these matters where you live in Nairobi. On the affordable side, in Eastlands in Nairobi, the average rent of a 1 bedroom is from 20,000, 2 bedrooms from Ksh. 30,000 and 3 bedroom is from Ksh. 40,000 per month in affordable estates.

On the Westland of Nairobi where expats live, the house rent begins from Ksh. 200,000 per month.

15. How do I get a good house in Kenya?

The best way is to have a professional company help you get a good house. Do not use social media to find houses, brokers can lie.

Use a legit website or a moving company that you can see all their details. Why not try us?

16. Which are the best expat estates in Nairobi?

Most expats in Nairobi live in Karen, Muthaiga, Runda, Gigiri, and Lavington because of their great efficient services.

17. Which is the best expat moving company in Kenya?

The best expat moving company providing professional relocation services in Kenya is Shifters and Movers.

18. What are the best places to tour in Kenya?

Nairobi has so many destinations around it, from parks, giraffe center, David Sheldrick elephant orphanage, Karen Blixen, etc.

Other best places to tour in Kenya include Masai Mara, Mombasa, and the many national parks and reserves for different attractions. Each destination has its great strength.

19. How to go from Nairobi to Mombasa

The best is by air which is about 45 minutes. By road using 4by4 or daily commuter buses like modern coast, mash cool, Oxygen, Spanish.

20. How much do professional relocation services in Kenya cost?

Good relocation services in Kenya start from as low as Ksh. 25,000 for a small house within the same city and can go more than a million shilling for an international special move.

See this guide showing good moving prices in Nairobi. Click here to get a free quote for professional relocation services in Kenya 0799922285

Have we significantly informed you about moving to Kenya? Do you know the best tips about moving to Nairobi and living in Kenya? Or would want to know anything else about Kenya? Give us your feedback to help us help more people.