Cost of Living in Nairobi, Kenya (below USD 1000!)

[@ainoluo]

Many of you are asking about my insurance. Mine is from a local company in Finland so won’t be useful for most of you, but the global partner is Euro-Center. Looking from Kenya, their nearest branch is in Cape Town. My friend has an insurance partnering with AMREF, which I think has branches also in Kenya. Hope this is of help to someone!

[@wallstreetgambler9151]

In USA we get scammed, especially rent and insurance

[@rosiemanji9951]

Was also inquiring as about insurance but sad its not applicable to kenya

[@DigzGuy]

Much more realistic then the budget Julian Albino posted sometime back!

[@ainoluo]

Hehe at least I think he disclosed on the title already that he lives an expensive lifestyle 😁

[@mercynamikoye9084]

I'm kenyan and even I don't pay 1000 for internet. I need that deal😃

[@ainoluo]

Trust me it’s not the best one 😂

[@trendinggossip8692]

Me too

[@marklivos]

​@@ainoluo 😂😂😂

[@cursinmariacorreia1077]

Safarikom Limited has Ksh. 3000.00 unlimited 30 days unlimited offer that is most suitable for most who like to use a sizeable amount of data. On the whole $1000.00 may be an acceptable figure but Nairobi is fat more expensive to live in although the climate and weather are superb compared to many of the European cities. It is very difficult to understand why the cost of living is so high. Your $1000.00 is just about what people in Europe live on. May be you could give us a rundown on living costs in Helsinki

[@Ranger.814]

Welcome to Kenya 🇰🇪

[@ainoluo]

Asante!

[@IANA2030]

😂

[@lucaskiai2159]

It's very encouraging to hear your journey. It relates to our lives so much.

[@sl7861]

Thank you so much for this great information !. I have neen to Kenya 3 times and I love it and I can easliy see myself there.

[@ainoluo]

Happy it’s useful!

[@wadisanaa]

300 us dollars for rent seems like a steal. i am paying $1100 a month for a studio here in phoenix , Arizona. i am moving to africa when i retire.

[@btoom4058]

Welcome to my home country. I hope you enjoy your stay. I'm watching you from Frankfurt

[@moments_withalyc]

Wow,you broke down your spending really nicely...

[@ainoluo]

Thanks! Tried to show it as realistically as possible :)

[@moments_withalyc]

Okay

[@t0n0k0]

That was why I subscribed TBH, it was so well done, I was impressed.

[@terryvarta9306]

Its actually cheap if u have a foreign income. Keep us updated lots of love from Malaysia

[@getbusydrizzy5296]

DAMN YOU GOT SOME MOVES

[@isaacmagona2974]

This so impressive i hope you find peace of mind, kenya is always a welcoming home let it be ur second hme.. Big up my home city... Always on top!!!!

[@ryan_ayub]

Very detailed, I love this video. Glad you are enjoying life in Nairobi, I could never conform to a budget I am really bad at that. Great video Aino.

[@maxie_kushee]

Welcome to kenya you real need to explore in kenya its a beautiful country

[@ainoluo]

It truly is! 🇰🇪

[@StevoGitz]

Wow! New follower here, whenever i see Kenya i must subscribe.... I think am obsessed with this country 🇰🇪❤️ karibu and enjoy ur stay. Feel at home 🏡

[@ainoluo]

Haha I get you! Asante and welcome to the channel 😊

[@StevoGitz]

@@ainoluo karibu 😊 And keep us entertained please, am really thirsty for the video's to come.

[@gervas_ke]

Whenever I see Kenya I subscribe 💓💓

[@whereisvivienne]

Glad to randomly find your video. Good job dear. Super proud of you. 👍🥳I enjoyed the video

[@JAMESMAINAMWANGI]

wow...nice, I have followed you, I am in Nairobi also, living on a budget

[@TheCaneSlingerCherryflexrattan]

Am glad when we have visitors from overseas.Thats quite fair.

[@nairobiflavour]

KZbin recommended your channel to me and I subscribed "I love you"

[@lifehacks1019]

Good insights 👍 Your video was recommended to me...had to subscribe ♥️

[@ainoluo]

Thanks and welcome! 😊 And happy to hear the algorithm has picked it up.

[@lifehacks1019]

@@ainoluo I'll share an open secret on content about Kenya and algorithm; In your caption always include the words Kenya, Nairobi,Safari, Mombasa and the Kenyan flag 🇰🇪. The recommendations come in fast and furious and viewership from Kenyans shoot up! Good luck 🇰🇪🤝🇫🇮

[@ainoluo]

@@lifehacks1019 Thank you for sharing!

[@BiboMaths]

You can be my very nice teacher. I find you very easy to understand concepts from. Thanks.

[@ainoluo]

Thanks! Teacher in the KZbin university 😄

[@peter.mwaura]

Welcome to Kenya. Your groceries are a bit expensive. How about you try the market. Traveling with boda boda is expensive. Try a matatu though it will depend on location sorry we don't have a public transport system.

[@nelsonkiiru7252]

Groceries are expensive these days especially if u have a household of several people even alone, groceries still costs.

[@andrewfrolov893]

Matatu is like a mini-bus, private vehicle for a group of random people, right?

[@sheeciru6967]

Wow . Thanks for this update. We are planning to relocate to Kenya and this update came in handy. New subscriber

[@ainoluo]

Karibu! People’s expenses here vary vastly, make sure you check out a few other videos on the topic on KZbin :)

[@erickmoenga1206]

I thought you're kenyan by the name

[@josephm6574]

Just subsribed to your channel. Welcome to Kenya.

[@letsremember2300]

Sasa friend 🥰🥰so good to see you.

[@Pani.Inwestycja]

Wow! I lived in Kenya for 6 yrs. I am curious where did you get such a deal, what part of Nairobi you stay ?

[@mwendapoleee]

Awesome most youtubers don’t do this I don’t know why,especially us who are in diaspora have no idea how much the cost of things are so it’s so easy to be scammed.You can imagine somebody flys home then is scammed left ,right and center.Or if one wants to settle in Kenya or just take a break and stay for a few months ,they know how much life costs and can estimate how much living in nbo costs ,away from the city maybe less thats beautiful.

[@ainoluo]

When you’re this transparent you put yourself in the spotlight and trust me, people who do this get a lot of criticism 😄 Either you’re spending too much or too little, if you get robbed you’re blamed for walking, and if you’re taking Ubers you’re scoffed at because of “how much money you have”. Nairobi is a city of stark contrasts so people really have no clue because the cost of living between individuals varies so much. Just another day in town I was attacked by a street boy who said I should give each person there (appr. 10 people) 1000 ksh, as if it was a small amount of money. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@mwendapoleee]

@@ainoluo it’s terrible how some people can be so horrible and so entitled somebody dragged me into a restaurant to buy them soda luckily I had some money on me.

[@mercyephy3930]

Hi just bummed to this video and it's awesome 👍 keep up welcome to kenya .❤️❤️❤️

[@knightwatchkennels629]

Awesome I saw that painting in an exhibition in the National museum I believe..kudos

[@matayo5080]

I'm still shocked at that transport cost. Get yourself a Toyota Vitz/Nissan March/Honda Fit. That budget will halve. Maintenance for these vehicles is dirt cheap and spares everywhere, you'll never feel the pinch

[@ainoluo]

That’s the plan if I’m able to stay in the country!

[@munenejoe6682]

@@ainoluo What are you doing for a living here?

[@David_Mbugua]

New Sub. Keep going and enjoy your stay in Kenya. :)

[@marklivos]

Just found this channel & love this review

[@accer3001]

Please foreigners come with lots of money 💵 €£ to NairobI, when Kenyan citizens travel abroad we are required to show bank statements that have active transactions and a current balance of USD 10,000 or more depending on your visa. Tourists, students visa etc.

[@collinsonyancha3824]

You have a captivating presence. Nice break-down. Coffee?

[@YoutubeCurious]

Ñi hao Luo! Love your video 😊

[@ainoluo]

嗨你好! Thank you 🙏🏻 ☺️

[@khalfanmohd5807]

New subscriber from zanzibar Tanzania

[@mausieur]

I just discovered your channel.. just subscribed! I love discovering the small but iteresting YT chanels and watching them grow. Looking forward to your content. By the way, how does health insurance work in Kenya and do you have any recommendations?

[@ainoluo]

Welcome! 😊 Hopefully you’ll get to see big growth here haha. I have my international health insurance from Finland, will need to figure out something else if I end up staying longer stretches at a time.

[@mausieur]

@@ainoluo I am confident your channel will grow :)

[@jamesmunanga4123]

I am glad you're finding it nice to live there...why can't be the same to Africans that travel to Finland..whole of Europe and America's?

[@kennedymwendo5971]

Good explanation

[@ReaganAsiema]

I need that deal

[@fltampabay202]

Half African-American on my mom's side Kenyan on my late dad's side looking to move to Kenya. Wouldn't mind having a roommate any advice?

[@ainoluo]

You can check Facebook groups, I believe there are some that focus on flat sharing in nairobi, mostly between other immigrants and expats - sorry don’t use Facebook so can’t check names of groups!

[@rashayaphiri7066]

40k is my 8 months rent ,electricity and water here in thika ,but waaaaaah

[@ainoluo]

Yeah depends a lot with the area and security, most Nairobians who I have met who work in the office pay ~40 k and rents are going higher.

[@KenyanAmericanTrucker]

Very nice video 😊Keep it up!! you guys are Welcome to our place for a weekend in Eldoret if you can!!

[@johnnyaula7503]

Since your name is Aino Luo,simply translated to “You know luo language” you deserve a luo boyfriend in Kenya.Otherwise thumbs up for documenting your journey.

[@culinarymaster3991]

😆😅

[@gervas_ke]

My thoughts too😂😂

[@patrickochieng79]

Interesting am a new subscriber

[@ainoluo]

Welcome! 😊

[@erickmoenga1206]

Should visit western part

[@DumeJeusi]

Compare this to one @utheblueprint posted recently. @ainoluo your budget is in the range of typical middle-middle class families. For a foreigner this is very very affordable. As you said most are on high 6 or 7 figure salaries when converted to Kshs. For some the house rent could be 4 times your budget.

[@ainoluo]

Yep I haven’t met many foreigners living this affordably. I have moved since making this video and am now paying about double in rent compared to the previous place - other than that, my costs haven’t gone up that much.

[@DumeJeusi]

@@ainoluo you are good at budgeting. Spare a bit for travelling to attractions outside Nairobi. There are very many affordable ones outside the tourist circuit

[@ainoluo]

@@DumeJeusi thanks, tryina budget for a little new years road trip 😊 let me know if you have any suggestions!

[@georgenduuru]

I love you welcome to Kenya Nairobi

[@daytodayhappenings8314]

Aino Luo I like you am a kenyan, I like the fact that you are very beautiful, presentable, lovely, smart,awesome and pretty. ...wish could meet you

[@oscarfunnyvideos]

wow I have to investigate about chinatown in Nairobi. I did not know that it exists.

[@ainoluo]

Try noodle soup 😋🍜

[@karumbah]

Welcome 🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪

[@chosenone7778]

Heyy Luo just came across this and it's amazing! How can I reach you? Looking forward to making some more content.

[@moreto62]

i spoke with some Kenyans and they claim 1500-1800$ one can have good life

[@ainoluo]

Absolutely! I recently made an updated version of this video and am now spending USD 1500 a month, I would say living a good life :) The ones who want to spend more on entertainment (since I barely do) could choose to spend less on food and housing than I do. Not sure where you’re from but I think your friends’ figure gives quite a realistic idea of what a newcomer might end up spending while maintaining a lifestyle from e.g. Europe or USA.

[@moreto62]

@@ainoluo i live in Brazil and usually spend over 2200$ month for good life so is similar

[@SambuSambulala-gc8eo]

Hi

[@jmaatgreen7894]

Thanks Aino. Were you able to find a furnished apartment and do you mind sharing how large it is?

[@ainoluo]

Yes, it is furnished with very basic furniture and it has a small kitchen/living room, one washroom and one small bedroom. Not sure about the square meters or feet.

[@trendinggossip8692]

@@thedesignpantry_herself thats not safe for her to say in public

[@EvralTatum-Mcfield-ov2mi]

That's means that the city is not safe, if you cannot say those mesuarements, because they will slain you for it@@trendinggossip8692

[@YoutubeCurious]

Where can i get such? Im looking to move houses

[@Vesa-MattiKallio]

Hei, kauanko on mahdollista yhtäjaksoisesti asua Keniassa? Saako viisumiin jatkoaikaa vai täytyykö poistua maasta välillä?

[@ainoluo]

Hei, tässä on tainnut säännöt muuttua sillä aikaa kun olen itse saanut oleskeluluvan, mutta mielestäni turistina voi eTA-luvalla oleskella maassa 90 päivää. Jos en ole väärässä, siihen voi hakea pidennystä 180 päivään asti.

[@IANA2030]

Welcome to my mama land ❤❤❤❤

[@PalonaGeoffrey]

Karibu Kenya

[@ainoluo]

Asante!

[@godfreybett1370]

Where is the 1k deal for internet?

[@amirkamola600]

Hi thank you for you info. Which international health insurance brand do you use? I would like to subscribe.

[@joelmukungu684]

Niceeeee name it has a Kenyan tune😊

[@ainoluo]

Chinese name 😉

[@joelmukungu684]

The last part Luo it's beautiful

[@grainofsalt2113]

$43 for eating out seems low, are you only going once or twice a month

[@ericanunda]

Where do you live thats so cheap in nairobi. For a female foreigner i would ask you to double her costs as a minimum. Am speaking as a Kenyan who grew up in the both Nairobi and kenya. For a male foreigner please multiple by 4 if you want to live in a good area in nairobi and expenses are normally on the man. Nairobi girls don't spend and dr7nk alot.

[@altheadawn2531]

I'm looking to move to Kenya as well this year. Can you recommend any good real estate agents or landlords where I can find an affordable apartment in a safe place in Kenya. An apartment that already has a fridge, stove and washing machine. I am only finding expensive apartments that are $600 and above online.I would appreciate your feedback 🙏

[@DumeJeusi]

That's the range. She's probably leaving in a DSQ to be able to get that rent in a leafy neighborhood. Meaning the house will also be dated. Apartments in Kilimani and Lavington are around the range you have been given.

[@marthaauma7503]

21500 for groceries 😶 gai where doe she go shopping? Weh toba she is rich !

[@ainoluo]

I wish I was 😌 I mention my go-to stores in the video and have discussed in some comments that food is the one thing where I emphasise quality and tend to buy organic as well as products based on what I am used to eating in Europe and Asia. This means e.g. special cooking oils, berries, organic veggies, etc. Will be discussing food quality in Kenya in a future video!

[@allwellbud]

Informative. Thank you :) In what areas can I get a nice 1bhk apartment or house rented for around 45k KSH monthly? I wish to travel with my better half for few months. I'll be working remotely at my current job.

[@BerkinMusa]

Almost anywhere

[@BerkinMusa]

Outside of westlands

[@EpaleEvansvlogs]

Grocery ya 21k weee kwani huyu aanakulaga supermarket mzima Kwa mwezi

[@ainoluo]

European / Asian meals and organic products 😌 I also eat more local meals sometimes which brings the cost down.

[@stephenodhiambo7556]

@@ainoluo He's actually implying that you spend too much on meals. 'Kwani huyu anakulanga supermarket nzima' means 'does she eat grocery from the entire supermarket?

[@maryjones3523]

😂😂😂

[@winnyberina2114]

I have asked myself the same question.😂

[@ainoluo]

Guys, that’s what I’m explaining above. Have you seen what organic produce here costs? 😬 Glad to receive suggestions if you find that quality cheaper!

[@Beatrice-lf4gm]

Am in the market for good health insurance what health insurance do u have?

[@PalonaGeoffrey]

Karibu Kenya. Though where are you from ? Tell us more about yourself

[@ainoluo]

Asante! I am originally from Finland 😊

[@IANA2030]

Am coming back home let me look for money first😂

[@cookingsection568]

what do you do for work?

[@enkylion9525]

Do you do interviews?

[@ainoluo]

I have actually done some interviews with friends that have interesting stories, would love to do some more 😊 Perhaps I’ll post some here.

[@YusufRicks]

Hey Aino. Welcome to kenya i'm your new subscriber. based in Nairobi we can hook up. I can be so happy

[@telvinkasasi5963]

How long are you planning to stay in kenya and are you single?

[@SambuSambulala-gc8eo]

Hi.ilov

[@avivmutema1065]

What do you mean " sometimes I don't feel safe"

[@ainoluo]

When strange men grab me on the street and call me a bitch 😌

[@avivmutema1065]

@@ainoluo sincerely sorry for that , you are lady you deserve respect, but, understand this is not the same environment as Finland. It's not an excuse but maybe understand

[@afrikanapanafrikana7536]

Is your one bedroom furnished or unfurnished? Just curious about your rent budget!

[@ainoluo]

It was furnished!

[@afrikanapanafrikana7536]

@@ainoluo thank you and all the best in your future endeavors!

[@DumeJeusi]

​@@ainoluothe deal is extremely good. Basically unheard of. You got the jackpot then.

[@ainoluo]

@@DumeJeusi they demolished the place the day after I moved out 😂 it was in bad condition but served me as an entry home and the area was beautiful and central!

[@gurhanthabo3317]

What international insurance company do you use? Name please

[@ainoluo]

It’s an insurance from a local Finnish company unfortunately

[@nice_person]

Hi! What international insurance are you using? Are you happy with it?

[@mashine1904]

She’s a LUO?

[@ainoluo]

Luo is my Chinese name

[@lewiswilliams1565]

You are detailed and helpful. Also has no one said beautiful in the comments?! Hope I'm first. Thanks for the info I'll be there soon getting my passport in order to get out of a country that wants to have an orange faced dictator as president soon. Maybe we will see you there!

[@kefene]

❤️❤️❤️🇰🇪🔥🔥

[@johnnydave9505]

Can you marry me

[@big_brayo]

You might actually be the only Narobian who doesn't drink alcohol😅😅😅😅😅😅 We are a drinking nation 🇰🇪 leme infuence you😈😅

[@ainoluo]

I drank enough in my 20s back in Finland 😄

[@big_brayo]

@@ainoluo so for you the off button was way better than a slow down🍺😅?

[@ainoluo]

@@big_brayo it’s not totally off but pretty much so - I’ve drank 1 glass of wine this year! 😁🍷

[@big_brayo]

@@ainoluo hehehehe. 1 glass sounds like an off button to me👻

[@IANA2030]

😂Ahaha I like Irish

[@YoutubeShorts-tv2io]

My dear First things First, Karibu KENYA, hapa KENYA, hakuna matata. From your point of view, i'll understand if you say 1000 bucks per month is a huge save for you, but my god that's extravagant for a typical kenyan hustler living in nairobi. I say kenyan hustler since you're no longer new judging by your swahili and it's not obviously your first time here. Number 2 your kenyan partner is probably a luo otherwise if he was kikuyu, there's no way he'd allow you to spend extravagantly, yet he claims to love you, not that it;s my business anyways. i mean lunch for 300? oh my god, i could have a sumptuous meal, for one sixth your budget, rent 40k? no waay😂 10k is way more than enough, 12k atmost and mind you that's for a 2bdrm apartment, probably near the train station or matatu terminus, you got a great deal on the internet for sure,,, but food? how the heck would you rack up 21k for food bills😂 for reference, i live in ngong, a fairly posh place, stone throw away from karen blixen, i eat healthy at roughly 7k on the higher side per month. 16k transport? goodness are you travelling to mars or something😂😂 Anyways we love visitors, and as my gesture of grattitude i have just subscribed , i love your content. you could consider connecting me to your sister since i'm single anyway, maybe get her to love kenya as you do😅. much love

[@ainoluo]

Lemme try to break some of these down :) For rent, I simply do not feel safe living in an area where I raise a lot of attention. Even in central areas with foreigners, when I walk outside there are people often asking for money, shouting bad things at me, trying to see which gate I go into, etc. The further I go from these fairly expensive areas, the more of this I get, and in town it’s simply unbearable where men grab me on the street. My budget will never be enough for places like Runda, but I do feel like I need to stay in areas that end up being pricey. I also do not drive, and prefer to stay close to the places I frequent. The transportation bill simply comes from short (

[@ukbulldog2024]

I moved to Morocco to Casablanca. Morocco is very advanced with their infrastructure (trams, high speed railways), beautiful sea, and first world amenities. I like the mix of cultures and Nairobi was all or too black for me and I felt uncomfortable. I left. Moroccans are highly educated and many speak English and of course French/Spanish. Fast High Speed train to Tangier - hop on a ferry and you are in Spain and beyond. How good is that. I had to show USD500 per month for a residence permit and I live with a family who has a separate wooded hut at the back. Accommodation can be expensive if you wish a condominium. Government low cost housing is fixed at USD25,000 .Moroccans are very hospitable people and I like their culture of hugging and kissing the cheeks. Yes. There are 2 churches in Casablanca and I am a Hindu and I have made so many expat and French people through the Church. With a Residents Card I am able to work. That is a bonus. I work with International Companies here in Casablanca and the salary is very good and I am gaining local experience. I keep training myself in many skills and Moroccans are a little lazy and very behind Tech Knowledge. As a male, female Moroccans are very attractive and have a Spanish complexion and ladies are very open and modern. You can date the ladies but be respectful as Morocco is an Islamic Country. Having said that. Speaking Dahijah Arabic and respect to Islam will win you friends and happiness.

[@wealth_warriorstv]

i can't wait til your visa expires!

[@maagu-_-]

Heh. Shida yako ni nini?

[@Bishar-cr1kb]

Am.naw.islii.kam.tu.me.islii

[@nature3334]

🥱🥱You pay all that