Nairobi is home to some of the most beautiful estates and neighborhoods, and for this reason, so many people are flocking to live here. Moreover, the convenience of living near and inside the capital city makes it even more appealing for people looking for a place to live.
Though not as complicated as international or cross-border moves, moving in Nairobi does have its fair share of technicalities. If you have been living in Nairobi for some time now, you already know your way around some of the various neighborhoods. You know that moving to these neighborhoods requires some technical know-how and a lot of planning. On the other hand, if you are new in Nairobi and are still getting your bearing around the city and its neighborhoods, this article is just what you need.
In this article, we will discuss the various neighborhoods – in and around Nairobi – and give details about what it takes to make a successful move into them.
Moving to Runda
Located about 12 kilometers from the CBD, Runda is one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Nairobi. It is situated between two major roads – Kiambu Road and Limuru Road – which lead into the CBD. This neighborhood is home to Kenya’s affluent society, including government officials, ambassadors, diplomats, and politicians.
If you are planning on moving to Runda, you’re in luck because the neighborhood has a variety of houses to choose from. From bungalows, villas, maisonettes, townhouses, and standalone cottages, Runda has so much to offer. Moreover, most homes are large and come built with domestic servant quarters (DSQs). The rental prices range from Ksh 220,000 to Ksh 550,000 per month while selling prices range from Ksh 36 Million to Kshs 1.4 Billion.
When moving into Runda, it’s important to note that because of the high-profile residents living in the neighborhood, security is very tight, and they don’t allow anyone to move in. You will have to be vetted by Runda Residents Welfare Association. Once they approve your move, you will need to notify the estate’s management (Runda Water) of your upcoming move so that moving trucks can be allowed in. Additionally, moving trucks cannot leave or access the estate past 6 PM, so it’s best to plan your move accordingly and ensure that it doesn’t go past that time.
Depending on your house size, the number of items you have, and how cooperative the estate’s management is, your move to Runda may take two to three days. Additionally, all the roads connecting to the estate experience heavy traffic, especially during peak hours, so it’s best to plan your move during off-peak hours.
Moving to Gigiri
Due to its large expatriate community, Gigiri is now known as the diplomatic center of Kenya. Located 11 kilometers from the CBD, off Limuru road, this neighborhood is home to the United Nations (UN) headquarters in Africa, the U.S. Embassy, and other countries’ embassies such as Italy, Sweden, Canada, and Norway.
Gigiri is a mixed-use area with residential and commercial spaces, making it one of the most ideal neighborhoods to live in Nairobi. Because a considerable population of the neighborhood’s residents is expatriates, most houses are available for rent. However, there are still houses that are available for sale. Rent for homes ranges between Ksh 120,000 (one-bedroom apartment) and Ksh 650,000 (eight-bedroom house). On the other hand, selling prices for houses range from Ksh 100 million to Ksh 300,000 million, depending on the house size.
Moving to Gigiri will require you to plan accordingly. First, you will need approval from the Gigiri Residential Association. Once they approve your move, you will be given a gate pass to allow your moving trucks through the estate’s security. Remember that most of the estates in this neighborhood do not allow moving trucks in and out past certain times (mostly 6 PM). Moreover, since the main access road to the neighborhood is Limuru Road, famously known for its heavy traffic, you should avoid peak hours and weekends to transport your household items.
Typically, moving to Gigiri will take two to three days, depending on factors such as the moving company you use, how cooperative the residential association is, and the size of your move.
Moving to Muthaiga
If you are moving to Nairobi, Muthaiga is another excellent location. Just 7.2 kilometers from the CBD and located off Kiambu Road, this neighborhood has been nicknamed the Beverly Hills of Nairobi. It is home to some of the wealthiest Kenyans and many expatriates.
The area comprises gated standalone homes and a few multi-dwelling residential compounds, with most houses having DSQs and a guest house. Selling prices for houses in Muthaiga range between Ksh 39 million (3-bedroom apartment) and Ksh 500 million (7-bedroom house). On the other hand, rent ranges from Ksh 100,000 (for flats) to Ksh 700,000 (for homes).
As is with moving to most affluent Nairobi neighborhoods, moving to Muthaiga will require you to get approval from Muthaiga Residents Association. This is because you will need a gate pass for your moving trucks to access the neighborhood. Moreover, when moving to this lush neighborhood, you will need to know how early or late the moving trucks can access the neighborhood.
You will also require to pay for estate services such as security, garbage collection, estate maintenance, etc. To avoid hiccups, you should confirm your payment for these services two days before your move with the estate management.
Moving to Nyari
This posh residential neighborhood is located on the northern side of Nairobi city, only 12 kilometers from the CBD. It borders other lush neighborhoods such as Rosslyn to the East and Spring Valley and New Muthaiga to the South. The estate is enclosed by three major roads – Waiyaki Way, Red Hill Road, and Peponi Road.
While this controlled estate comprises mostly bungalows, you can find other types of houses, including townhouses, villas, mansions, and a few flats. Almost all the houses in this estate come with DSQs except for some apartments. Rent for properties in this area ranges from Ksh 100,000 (1-bedroom apartment) to Ksh 500,000 (5-bedroom house). On the other hand, if you are moving to Nyari and want to buy a house, prices range between Ksh 103 million (1-bedroom apartment) to Ksh 200 million (9-bedroom house)
Moving to Nyari will require you to get approval from the Nyari Residents Welfare Society, upon which you will receive a gate pass for your moving truck. Additionally, you will have to pay for estate service charges before moving into the estate. Remember to check with the estate’s management about how late or early moving trucks are allowed.
Moving to Rosslyn
This is yet another beautiful and convenient estate to consider if you are moving to Nairobi. Just 12.8 kilometers from the CBD, Rosslyn comprises both standalone houses and apartments. Rent prices range from Ksh 120,000 (1-bedroom apartment) to Ksh 450,000 (5-bedroom house). On the other hand, selling prices are between Ksh 8 million (1-bedroom apartment) and Ksh 100 million (5-bedroom house). The estate is quite accessible, with various roads leading into it, such as Red Hill Road, Waiyaki Way, and Limuru Road.
When moving to Rosslyn, you should first notify the estate’s management of your move and the day you intend to move. This is because, like most estates, Rosslyn doesn’t allow unknown vehicles to access the estate without a pass or prior communication. Moreover, the management will communicate the time limits for your moving truck to leave or enter the estate for security purposes. You will also be required to pay a service fee to the management for services such as garbage collection and estate maintenance.
Moving to Lavington
Situated only 7 kilometers from the CBD, Lavington is one of the oldest and most convenient estates in Nairobi. It borders areas such as Kilimani and Kawangware. While it isn’t exactly home to the super-rich in Kenya, Lavington is home to high-middle-income and high-income residents. The area is a mixed-use, with commercial and residential spaces available for rent and sale. You can find all kinds of houses in this neighborhood, including apartments, townhouses, bungalows, and mansionettes. Most houses and old flats with their compounds have designated DSQs and parking garages, while most new apartments do not have these facilities.
If you are moving to Lavington, you should expect rent prices to range from Ksh 70,000 (1-bedroom flat) to about Ksh 400,000 (5-bedroom house). You’ll notice that this area is separated into small gated communities that have their security at the gates. For this reason, before starting your move, you should first inform the estate’s management of your move. Each gated community will have its own rules regarding access times for moving trucks, so make sure you get this information before. Estate service fees may also vary depending on the community you are moving into.
Moving to Spring Valley
Spring Valley is one of the newer neighborhoods in Nairobi. It is approximately 6 kilometers from the CBD. Bordering Westlands, Barton, and Kyuna, this mixed-development area hosts office spaces and residential homes. It is home to smaller gated communities such as Grevillia Homes, Osho Villas, and Elite Garden Villas. You can find all types of houses here, including townhouses, mansionettes, villas, and flats. Some houses built a bit earlier have DSQs, but newer properties do not have this amenity.
Rent prices for houses in Spring Valley range from Ksh 100,000 (1-bedroom apartment) to Ksh 400,000 (4-bedroom house). Buying prices for houses fall between Ksh 19 million (1-bedroom apartment) to Ksh 250 million (10-bedroom house). Although the neighborhood has a residents’ association, different gated communities have rules regarding moving to this area. Therefore, before packing your household belongings and showing up at the gate, find out the nitty gritty stuff, such as whether your moving truck will require a gate pass and if there are time limits for when the moving truck can access the estate.
Moving to Kyuna
Kyuna estate is yet another estate to consider if you are moving to Nairobi. It is about 8 kilometers from the CBD and borders Kibagare Estate and Spring Valley. You can access this estate through Waiyaki Way and Lower Kabete Road from Westlands, which don’t experience very heavy traffic except during peak hours. Because a mix of high-income Kenyans and ex-pats live here, security is very tight.
Moving to Kyuna will require you to confirm your arrival with the management, so be sure to do this at least two days before the move to avoid delays. For instance, the security guards at the estate gate may require you to show a pass for your moving truck. Moreover, the moving truck may not access the estate during certain hours. All this is information you should get from the management so your move can be as seamless as possible.
Moving to Lower Kabete
If you’re considering moving to Lower Kabete, this is a fantastic location. It is only 10 kilometers from the CBD through Lower Kabete Road. While this road leads into Westlands, it doesn’t experience heavy traffic as expected. A mixture of high-middle-income, high-income earners, and ex-pats live in this neighborhood. This neighborhood is a mixed-development area with both home and office spaces.
This neighborhood is divided into small gated communities such as The Woods, High Grove Village, and Farasi Graden Villas. It has a mix of standalone houses and a few recently built apartments. Most houses in this neighborhood are predominantly for sale, with very few for rent. Selling prices for houses with DSQs range from Ksh 13 million (3-bedroom apartment) to Ksh 100 million (5-bedroom house).
Since most of the estates here are gated, you will likely require to liaise with the management to allow your moving trucks in. Moreover, as with most estates, you should find out the time limits for which moving trucks can get in and leave the estate to avoid unnecessary inconveniences. For most of these estates, moving here is pretty straightforward and should take a maximum of two days as long as you communicate with the estate management.
Moving to Kileleshwa
Kileleshwa is located east of Lavington, south of Muthangari, and west of Kilimani. It is only 7 kilometers from the CBD through Ring Road, which normally experiences heavy traffic, especially during peak hours. The area has recently seen many high-middle-income earners flock to live here, greatly influencing its growth.
Houses in this neighborhood are mostly standalone apartments, while others have been enclosed in courts. Because of this, only a few houses have DSQs due to small spaces. Rent prices for houses fall between Ksh 65,000 (2-bedroom apartment) and Ksh 250,000 (4-bedroom apartment).
Moving to Kileleshwa is pretty easy, given that most apartments are standalone. You only need to communicate with the building’s management about your upcoming move. Moreover, time limits for when your moving trucks can access the residence will not be a problem, unlike most gated estates. Nonetheless, check with the management if the building you are moving into allows movers to use lifts when carrying heavy household items.
Moving to Kilimani
Kilimani has recently become a very attractive neighborhood for most young people moving to Nairobi. If you are planning on moving to Nairobi, this mixed-development neighborhood is the perfect place for you. It is only 4.6 kilometers from the CBD through Lenana Road and borders Kileleshwa and Westlands and hosts estates such as Hurlingham, Upper Hill, and Caledonia Estates.
Moving to Kilimani in terms of rent will cost you between Ksh 55,000 (1-bedroom apartment) and Ksh 220,000 (4-bedroom apartment). Note that these apartments do not come with DSQs. Selling prices range from Ksh 6 million (1-bedroom apartment) to Ksh 30 million (4-bedroom apartment).
Individual gated apartment buildings have 24-hour security meaning that moving trucks can only be allowed if they have a pass so be sure to communicate this with the management. Additionally, be sure to ask if your movers can use the lifts to carry heavy household items from the ground to your new floor. Moving to Kilimani should take you at most two days but this will all depend on factors such as the management and the moving company you use.
Moving to Langata
Home to a number of estates such as Onyoka, Nairobi Dam, Rubia, Madaraka, and Otiende Estates, Langata is a popular neighborhood for middle-income earners with families. It mostly comprises beautiful maisonettes and bungalows with considerable playing areas for kids, parking, and DSQs. Nonetheless, there are newer apartment flats and townhouses that have come up due to the high demand for housing in the area.
If moving to Langata, most mansionettes and bungalows are already occupied but you can find flats and townhouses to rent and buy. Rent prices for these units range from Ksh 48,000 (2-bedroom apartment) to Ksh 110,000 (5-bedroom townhouse).
You will need to liaise with your estate’s management regarding access time for moving trucks in the estate. Moreover, some estates will require you to pay service fees before you can move in so be sure to ask about such fees. Moving to Langata will only take you about a day but this all depends on factors such as how many household items you have, how cooperative the estate management is, and the moving company you use.
Moving to Westlands
At approximately 3 kilometers from the CBD, Westlands is a great location for anyone moving to Nairobi. With a good mix of residential and office spaces, many high-middle-income earners and ex-pats live here.
If you are moving to Westlands, you should look for houses along Rhapta Road and Brookside as this is where most apartment buildings are. Houses on Rhapta road are on the higher end, ranging from Ksh 200,000 to 400,000 per month. On the other hand, apartments on Brookside cost between Ksh 100,000 to 200,000 per month. Older apartments come complete with DSQs but newer ones don’t have this amenity.
Most of the apartment buildings have good security meaning that you will be required to communicate with the management so that your moving trucks can be allowed in. You should also check to see that your movers can use the lifts in case they are transporting heavy household items. Since moving to Westlands only requires that you liaise with the management of your building, the move should typically not extend beyond a day.
Best Movers in Nairobi
Are you moving to Nairobi or planning to do so in the near future? Nellions is the best moving company in Nairobi. We have extensive knowledge of the city and have years of experience conducting moves, with a proven track record of excellence.
Give us a call at +254 700 000 002 or email us at move@nellions.co.ke and let us help you with moving.
