Apartment Hunting in Nairobi - How I Got My Home in Kenya

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▶️ Check out my other videos:
Ultimate Guide to Relocating to Nairobi: • Ultimate Guide to Movi...
Moving into This Apartment (and mental health talk): • Guide from Survival Mo...
Setting up My New Apartment (and moving abroad in your 30s): • How to Feel at Home Ab...
In this video, I share my experience of apartment hunting in Nairobi, Kenya. I go through the steps from choosing a neighbourhood to choosing the type of apartment where you want to live, and all through the process of how to find your dream place: interacting with landlords and realtors, viewing apartments, issues you should prepare yourself for in Nairobi apartments, etc.
Business inquiries ONLY: [e-mail]
0:00 Intro
0:37 Why I Moved
2:56 Choosing a Neighbourhood
5:39 Choosing the Apartment
13:27 Apartment Hunting Process
20:24 Happy in My New Home
#kenya #nairobi #livinginkenya #livinginafrica #apartmenthunting #househunting #livingabroad #expat #nomad #immigrants

[@ainoluo]

I have a couple of videos where I show how I'm moving into this apartment and how I'm setting it up - I'll also talk mental health and moving abroad in your 30s in these videos :) Moving in (+ out of survival mode): kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYrboqihfKlmbs0si=1RxbyrnZqGEwQSyO Setting up (+ how to feel at home abroad): kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5C9fp2XeN1le6ssi=0lAF_k_xQic7wV6X

[@swagonmax]

As a Kenyan living in Norway, its awsome to see Finish people living in my home country :)

[@ainoluo]

We’re here! :)

[@mashine1904]

This information is extremely important, not only for foreigners but also for us Kenyans. Thank you so much.

[@ainoluo]

Happy if it helps! ☺️ let’s get those dream apartments! 🏠

[@villevinh]

Your new place looks wonderful! I'm very happy to hear you've found a place where you can thrive and settle in :)

[@abbas431]

Your new place looks lovely. It chose you!

[@gb6085]

A most refreshing presentation. Very informative even for a localite. Best video on Nairobi apartment hunting I have seen in years - even a template for general apartment hunting in other geographies. Well itemized and presented with just the right amount of energy as a viewer - not too much, not too shallow.

[@ainoluo]

@@gb6085 thanks so much for your feedback! this of course only covers a certain type of lifestyle & needs but there’s indeed many locals who would be looking for something similar :)

[@jabalngamau4599]

Thank you. This is very helpful and informative for people looking for an apartment in Nairobi.

[@alfiekapu7187]

Wow, welcome to the neigbourhood .. lovely space.

[@nassergabriel4778]

Super informative Aino, Congratulations with a beautiful place

[@ainoluo]

Thank you, hope someone can get help from this one. About to hit the building gym now 🤩

[@StevoGitz]

Am happy for you. Enjoy your new place 😊

[@ainoluo]

Aww thank you! ☺️ I’ll make the best of it

[@usa_kenyan]

Informative. I just recommended your video on Auston Holleman's channel since he's looking for an apartment (Why I moved to Kenya!).

[@ainoluo]

Thank you! Hope it will be of help ☺️

[@usa_kenyan]

@@ainoluo No problem. It was actually the second time I had recommended one of your videos to him. The first time was a month ago in another video of his (How Much Is It To Live In Nairobi , Kenya , Africa). I have two comments in that video. In the longer comment I mention you near the end. I thought one of your videos could be helpful to him (or others who were considering visiting Kenya). Don't mind me. 😀

[@tonygee5680]

@@usa_kenyanobviously if you did he ignored you then 😢

[@usa_kenyan]

@@tonygee5680 Auston reads all the comments. He just doesn't respond to most of them. It doesn't bother me at all. I'm more interested in some of his aims and the potential they have to involve others. I'm not looking to engage in a dialogue. The other thing to keep in mind is that for some people writing is very difficult. Yes, not everyone can write. If you look at Auston carefully, he prefers to respond orally to comments. And his written comments are very short. And he has admitted that he dropped out of college. I would not be surprised if writing is a difficult task for him. Three days ago I commented on another video of his and he responded in a very brief way (just one word). It was the first time he responded to me. It's therefore no big deal for me if he does not respond to a comment I make. 😀

[@freedomm]

Congratulations on your new apartment. Beautiful place, especially for the price.

[@Fly_Jorge]

It's a beautiful house. Enjoy the serenity.

[@vinashkerio]

such a good place you chose the interior design is beautiful

[@joshuayoga]

This video will be so useful for Century,thank you so much

[@ainoluo]

Happy to hear you found it useful!

[@sarfinalove3947]

Extremely informative video. One of the best I have come across. I am planning to be in Kenya for three months with the intention to relocate there, so this video was extremely informative. Happy you are finally at ease. Thank you

[@ainoluo]

Yay happy if you find this helpful! Good luck with relocation! ✈️

[@sarfinalove3947]

@@ainoluo Thank you. do you have realtor to recommend?

[@trvkim9435]

I really think you deserve more views, very insightful video ❤

[@ainoluo]

Aww thank you! Glad to hear

[@lifehacks1019]

Happy for you ❤

[@ainoluo]

Aww thank you! ☺️

[@MamaMama-kq1fx]

Beautiful to see you happy ❤❤❤❤

[@ainoluo]

Aww sending lots of love 😊

[@Defre254]

Happy for you baby girl

[@DennisOhuru]

I just moved to a 1 bedroom house in another area of Nairobi and also made a moving out video 😅 I guess that's why the algorithm suggested your video to me. I loved it. Very well stitched together 😊 I'll be watching more of your vids now

[@ainoluo]

I watched your videos and Dennis you’ve got such a good vibe! You’re doing well improving your life, keep going. Everyone go watch this guy’s videos, he has a good one showing what you can get with appr. 10 000 KSH or about 80 USD/month :)

[@DennisOhuru]

​​@@ainoluo Thanks a bunch 😁 glad you liked my version

[@marykisker6129]

I am so happy for you! And finally your advice and knowledge are great. Just what I was looking for! I am planning a move to Kenya and would be starting my search for an apartment in April. I am English and my parents lived for many years in East Africa. I am now retired and will be spending time here and in USA. I will definitely be following yo for continued advice. I have to check out your other posts.

[@ainoluo]

Yess all I was hoping for with this video was that it will help someone, it can be tough to find a home somewhere new! Please let me know what type of content you’d like to see from me, planning for 2024 videos 😊 Karibu Kenya and good luck with the move! 🇰🇪

[@davidadams3478]

I was just in Nairobi for 3 weeks about a week ago. I recognize the Moon Valley Apartments as I stayed there in 2022. I wouldn't mind living in Nairobi, but jobwise, it would be very difficult for me to be able to find anything as my background is more blue collar and in warehouse management than anything else.

[@ainoluo]

Yeah I get the job struggle, trust me it was even difficult with white collar background 😅 Perhaps you could come up with your own business or trade or do something online if you want more location freedom?

[@thechildfreeafricanexplorer]

I enjoyed watching this video.

[@ainoluo]

Happy to hear! 😊

[@jairoombasa289]

😂 Aino I enjoyed your commentary on this

[@TyronMotif]

Great vid loved it new sub🥰

[@ainoluo]

Welcome ☺️

[@TyronMotif]

@@ainoluo IM from New York City will be in Kenya in oct. would love to meet you😍😍😍🥰😘

[@narieee2543]

This reminds me a lot about my own flat hunting in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania. I think I have pretty similar preferences as you do like importance of greenery, low tolerance for noise and most of all lots of sunlight! I just remember back in my time in Tanzania it was roaches that really bugged me - pun intended - in my place. I had to learn to live with them .... ha! (For context, I'm from South Korea)

[@ainoluo]

Hahaha luckily roaches haven’t been bugging me much here in Nairobi! I remember seeing one in one flat but perhaps they are more common at the coast? 🪳

[@user-ox7vb6sy1d]

Here in Lagos it’s best living in an estate because of security issues . Gangs have been shooting at night in my neighborhood almost every night for about a week, so it’s comforting to be inside an estate ( gated community) at night and sleep safely . Our estate has a small shop inside so I can take a walk there after dark and be very safe . It’s convenient although a bit limited.

[@ainoluo]

Oh wow that’s wild. I haven’t seen estates like that in Nairobi which would have shops inside

[@LeeKnowsCatss]

@@ainoluo They exist in places like Mombasa road and Thika road

[@kamal171]

Congratulations

[@user-ox7vb6sy1d]

Beautiful apartment ❤ construction

[@jonniefesto3715]

Wow some lessons there to catch up on

[@MamaMama-kq1fx]

Kenya 🇰🇪 is beautiful country ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Amay101]

Wow this was very informative. How did you find someone to test for mold. I’m currently looking and I’ve seen a lot of old places wish I could test for mold before taking it

[@ainoluo]

I just Googled some companies “mold testing Nairobi” and chose randomly where to call!

[@Lantronic]

Thanks

[@mwendapoleee]

Wow I love your informative post and learning ppls mentality am Kenyan living in Germany and get what you want only I am now abit „blue eyed“ and get scammed or surprised by my fellow Kenyans.

[@ainoluo]

Thanks a lot! Yeah especially in Nairobi one should keep their eyes and ears open :)

[@kevinyoungsr7248]

I understand you what you saying about the light but it get hot over their pure sun i would love a cool place

[@ainoluo]

Yes I get it, up north we tend to maximise sunlight indoors because of the cold weather. Nairobi is not that hot though!

[@chriscn195]

Nice video, I think where I live has mold, where did you find the mold expert?

[@ainoluo]

I can’t remember the exact company anymore but I stumbled upon them just by googling mold (sometimes they spell mould) check Nairobi or something similar. Good luck!

[@isaiahmiringo7009]

I love the video, i think you got conned by some agents. Do a video of how you avoid extortion by Kenyans as a foreigner. Keep up good work. I miss my motherland.

[@gertieparis]

What is the name of that compound at 17:04? It looks so beautiful!

[@ainoluo]

If I’m not wrong it was Riverside Pearls

[@michaelwarero6465]

You are welcome karibu sana

[@ainoluo]

Asante sana, I appreciate!

[@purityn5498]

Welcome to my country Kenya

[@wendyomanga]

I wish you success

[@ainoluo]

Right back at you! 😊

[@Miya-ub5qn]

Very informative video. Asante. One quick question what do you think of riverside drive area?

[@ainoluo]

I went to see a couple of nice apartments there but thought they were overpriced. It’s maybe a bit dead as there’s quite a lot of offices around but they have opened a small shopping centre though. Sometimes the traffic also tends to get quite terrible during office rush hours. But it is central and kinda sleek and glossy there!

[@Miya-ub5qn]

@@ainoluo Thank you very much for the advice. I just subscribed to your channel. I am actually thinking about buying a new condo there. By the way where in Beijing are you used to livie?

[@ainoluo]

@@Miya-ub5qn might be a good investment! I know there’s a Chinese developer that has a new building near the shopping centre and the building is quite neat. I used to live around 崇文门

[@Miya-ub5qn]

@@ainoluoI am thinking about buying from a Turkish developer called Vaal. 对了， 祟文门有什么？

[@moonerhasler4135]

Hi 👋 I am in Sweden 🇸🇪 but and moving to Kenya in August!

[@ainoluo]

Hejsan and karibu! ☺️🇰🇪

[@SS-nh3jt]

How much is the rent in KSH/month?

[@Ryan-pq8nf]

How much do you pay for your new apartment?

[@elkiq95]

How are things going?

[@FunForYegon]

How much is the apartment?

[@ALEX10xINCOME]

Hi

[@jy7869]

Do we need good credit to rent? I don’t have any credit! Are there any options?

[@ainoluo]

Okay so I’m not very familiar with the concept of credit scores cause I don’t think it exists in Finland where I come from, also haven’t heard of it here in Kenya. My impression is that as long as you send them the deposit it’s cool but maybe someone can chime in if they know more!

[@roseleen314]

Ur credit score in Kenya does NOT affect renting or buying anything. It only affects us when trying to get a loan from a bank. That's it.

[@sasquelle]

Hello Aino, could you share some of these Instagram handles that share more daily on apartments?

[@ainoluo]

Hey! :) You can type on Instagram the area you are interested in + apartments and check the posts for more but here are some that I remember: @eastproperties1, @nairobi_apartments.kenya, @trex_real_estate, @oakstedhomes, @househunterske, @niid_homes_ventures, @musillihomes1

[@kam_abroad]

What kind of 1br apartment could I find for 60k-75k? Is it realistic to find a modern apartment in a new building with a pool and gym?

[@ainoluo]

You might have a couple of options with that criteria, yes! Most of those go quickly in the market though if you want to be central and not have a car. Good luck!

[@kam_abroad]

@@ainoluo Thank you!

[@love-zw1ky]

60k will give you a good 2 bedroom or more in Kenya...you just need to bargain well.

[@wallstreetgambler9151]

Karibu Kenya...........

[@ainoluo]

Asante sana

[@nimrodchokwe711]

Taaleri was investing in real estate with Cytonn, are they still there?

[@ainoluo]

Lol I had to Google this, had never heard of it. I couldn’t find any very recent news of their cooperation.

[@nimrodchokwe711]

@@ainoluo I heard they had helped develop Amara Ridge in Karen and the Alma in Ruaka, just thought you might get discount from a Finnish company in Kenya.

[@arnoldwadeh3483]

we'll name you Awino

[@ainoluo]

I got named Aluoch, cloudy morning gal here 😁

[@arnoldwadeh3483]

@@ainoluo very nice

[@drewbulbuloglu9234]

I live in a two room house and I only use one, the other room is up for rent

[@ainoluo]

That’s a good way to hack some extra income. I prioritise my peace now 🩷 Haven’t even left the house much the first week, just enjoying my peace 😂

[@drewbulbuloglu9234]

@@ainoluo cool? cool! you made any friends yet? I am cool

[@mwendapoleee]

@@ainoluo I also love my peace so much,I canˋt stand a roommate popping up everywhere.

[@ainoluo]

@@mwendapoleee yeah I lived with flatmates for several years and that ship has sailed! I prefer my freedom in the house :)

[@soguimesarl2012]

Transport or a luck of public transport is the number one problem. If you ever visit nigeria, you will be overwhelmed, but how much it is difficult to move from one place to another. This is hindering african development, sadly.

[@ainoluo]

Yes right! I used to have Nigerian colleagues and transportation was almost a daily topic of conversation

[@africandances3041]

Av finished the video coz you said you finish too

[@ainoluo]

😁

[@rantaviiva5218]

Finnish finishing finish, applying it on a wooden chair. A chair is kiti in Swahili language. Words like chair belong to the "KI-VI" class of nouns. eg. kitu, kikombe, kipande, kima. Someone could give more examples for @ainoluo However, place names can also start w/same first letters 🔤 Here's some examples: pale chini Dar-es-salaam iko Kinondoni na pale inchi nyingine kusini, Zambia🇿🇲 (na Copperbelt Province), iko mahali inaitwa Kitwe. Wengi wa watu nchini Zambia huzungumza Nyanja (also called Chewa language that extends to Malawi 🇲🇼). Ask the vlogger Miss Josey who's been all over Africa.

[@barmenbarmen2917]

Apply for citizenship in Kenya ❤

[@ainoluo]

Maybe one day 😁

[@barmenbarmen2917]

@@ainoluo If you single tell me 🤣🤣🤣

[@tonygee5680]

Desperate Kenyan selling everything omg 😢😢😢

[@pl4423]

If you have 90k...why rent when you can mortgage a whole home to be yours???

[@ainoluo]

Hey! I am not paying 90k if that’s what you mean :) I believe I answered the question about buying vs renting in some other comment but mostly in my case it would be about not knowing the Kenyan market well and wanting to avoid getting legally tied to something I don’t understand in a country where I may not stay. Have heard enough horror stories from both local and foreign investors that I’d want to do my research well - if done well, I’m all for buying.

[@pl4423]

@@ainoluo Hi, i got you, it was just a random comment where i meant, why should someone pay rent of 90k for example. To me that's wastimg money. If you can afford 50,000 a month then better have deal of renting to own/mortgage in place so you dont throw money away. That's if one is committed long term

[@elvisnj]

Mzungu amesema very affordable 40k rent.

[@ainoluo]

For what it was :)

[@bobbrian5001]

Dude that was soo cheap, no muzungu thing here. Imagine electricity, gas, internet, water all inclusive, and the place is furnished... where will you get that?

[@mwendapoleee]

@@ainoluo I think it was not worth the money if there are bugs and falling apart.

[@love-zw1ky]

Yeaaa she was definetly over charged cause she is white.

[@crispuskk2600]

chap chap 😅

[@kevinoduor9841]

lol, kenyan transactional culture is so slippery

[@topfootball8211]

of late mmegundua wazungu most wameanza kusettle Kenya while most Kenyans wana prefer kutoka kuenda majuu, there's something yenye inafanyika yenye hamuoni na mko hapa kusifu huyu mathe

[@ainoluo]

Natumahi unaona umeongea kama muungwana 😂 I don’t know what the other wazungu are doing but in this free world people can go wherever they want, I’m here with my Kenyan husband. I never consulted any wazungu council about my decision to come here, it was my friends from Nigeria, Ghana and Zimbabwe who recommended visiting Kenya. You stay where you are, don’t move 😉

[@shadrackadem2091]

Did you move in with your boyfriend?. Just curious

[@mazimazu8122]

Africans your too welcoming and naive they’re not outside of africa