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Pros and Cons of Living in Kenya | Expat Exchange
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Pros and Cons of Living in Kenya

By Betsy Burlingame

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.

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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," said 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," remarked one expat in Nairobi.

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What do expats in Kenya appreciate most about the local culture?

"Conservation has a new meaning to me. I am used to large game parks with big 5, but the abundance in the smaller game parks here surpasses what I have experienced in South Africa. I honestly thought that all the game would be eaten by now, but reality is that they are well preserved," remarked one in Nairobi.

"Expatriates in Kenya appreciate the warm hospitality of the local people, the vibrant culture, and the beautiful landscapes. They also enjoy the diverse cuisine, the rich history, and the vibrant music and dance. Additionally, expats appreciate the strong sense of community and the strong family values that are so prevalent in Kenyan culture," explained one expat.

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What do expats find most challenging?

"Expats in Kenya often find the local culture to be quite different from their own, which can be challenging to adjust to. Many expats find the pace of life in Kenya to be slower than what they are used to, which can be difficult to adjust to. Additionally, the language barrier can be a challenge for expats, as English is not widely spoken in Kenya. Furthermore, the local customs and traditions can be difficult to understand and navigate for expats, as they are often quite different from what they are used to. Finally, the lack of infrastructure and resources can be a challenge for expats, as it can make it difficult to access basic services," remarked one in Kenya.

"A person learn to trust friendly people faster and tend to accept customs as a given. What caught me off guard is that the Kenyan culture has a very strong emphasis on good interpersonal relationships to the point where you will be extremely friendly with the person you are lying to and that you are in the process of deceiving. I found it difficult to learn not to trust a person just because he/she is friendly and apparently sharing as it took me a knock or two to realize the depth of receipt the friendly people are capable off. Corruption is everywhere and only power and money controls it," explained one expat.

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame 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.

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