Nairobi is home to some of the most beautiful estates and neighborhoods in Kenya. These estates offer convenient access to the city center and basic social amenities, which is why many people find them appealing to move to.
While relocating within Nairobi is certainly not as complicated as a cross-border or international relocation, it takes some technical familiarity with the neighborhoods and some proactive planning. Whether you have lived in the city for a long time or are just getting your bearings around, this guide highlights what to expect when moving to Nairobi’s top neighborhoods.
1. Moving to Runda
Runda is one of Nairobi’s most affluent neighborhoods, being home to diplomats and expats, government officials, and wealthy Kenyans. The estate is located between Kiambu and Limuru Roads, about 12 km from the city center.
If you plan on moving to Runda, you can expect a host of housing options to choose from, from apartments to villas and standalone cottages. Most residential units are large and spacious with domestic servant quarters (DSQs). Rent prices range from Ksh. 220,000 to Ksh. 550,000, while selling prices range from Ksh. 36 million to Ksh. 1.4 billion.
Because of the high-profile residency of Runda, security is tight and there are often access restrictions for movers and visitors. Before you can move to Runda, you must be vetted by the Runda Residents Welfare Association. Once your approval is in, you will have to notify the estate’s management (Runda Water) of your upcoming move to secure access and parking spaces for your moving company to Runda.
Moving trucks are not allowed entry or exit past 6 pm, so it’s best to plan your move accordingly. Depending on the size of your move and how cooperative the management is, moving to Runda may take 2 or 3 days. Access roads to Runda often experience heavy traffic, especially during peak hours, so it’s best to plan your move during off-peak hours.
2. Moving to Gigiri
Gigiri is commonly referred to as Nairobi’s diplomatic hub owing to its large expatriate community. Located 11 kilometers from the CBD, off Limuru road, Gigiri hosts the United Nations (UN) headquarters in Africa, the U.S. Embassy, and other countries’ embassies such as Italy, Sweden, Canada, and Norway.
The area features a mix of residential and commercial units, making it an ideal center for corporate relocations. Most houses are available for rent, from Ksh 120,000 (one-bedroom apartment) to Ksh 650,000 (eight-bedroom house). Selling prices for houses range from Ksh 100 million to Ksh 300 million, depending on the house size.
Before moving to Gigiri, you will have to secure approval from the Gigiri Residential Association. Once approved, you will be issued with a gate pass which your house movers to Gigiri can use to access the estates within the given time (6 pm)
Moving to Gigiri may take 2-3 days, depending on the size of your move, cooperation from residential management, and the home movers you hire.
3. Moving to Muthaiga
Muthaiga is an affluent neighborhood 7.2 km from CBD just off Kiambu Road. The area hosts some of Kenya’s wealthiest people and expatriates.
Selling prices for houses in Muthaiga range between Ksh 39 million (3-bedroom apartment) and Ksh 500 million (7-bedroom house). Rent ranges from Ksh 100,000 (for flats) to Ksh 700,000 (for homes).
To move to Muthaiga, you must be approved by the Muthaiga Residents Association. Once approved, you will be issued a gate pass for your moving trucks to access the estates. Remember to keep within the given time to prevent any access or exit issues.
Residents are expected to pay for estate amenities such as security, estate maintenance, and garbage collection. To avoid any issues, experienced house movers to Muthaiga recommend paying upfront and confirming with the management before the day of your move.
4. Moving to Lavington
Lavington is one of the oldest, most convenient neighborhoods in Nairobi. The estate is located only 7 km from CBD, and it borders Kilimani and Kawangware. Lavington is home to upper middle-income and high-income earners, offering a rich mix of residential and commercial housing units.
Most houses and old flats in Lavington have designated DSQs and parking spaces, while newer apartments lack these amenities. The area is characterized by small, gated communities with round-the-clock security. Make prior plans with estate management for access and parking spaces for house move to Lavington to avoid any delays or clearance issues.
5. Moving to Rosslyn
Rosslyn is a beautiful and accessible neighborhood located just 12.8 km from the CBD. Movers to Rosslyn can easily access the estates via Red Hill Road, Waiyaki Way, and Limuru Road.
Rent prices range from Ksh 120,000 (1-bedroom apartment) to Ksh 450,000 (5-bedroom house). Selling prices are between Ksh 8 million (1-bedroom apartment) and Ksh 100 million (5-bedroom house).
When moving to Rosslyn, you should first notify the estate’s management of the day you intend to move. Like most estates, Rosslyn doesn’t allow access to the estate without a pass or prior communication. The management will communicate the time limits for your moving truck to enter or leave for security reasons.
Residents are often required to pay estate management fees for maintenance and garbage collection. It’s advisable to sort out these fees before moving to Rosslyn.
6. Moving to Nyari
Nyari is located to the south of Nairobi, 12 km from the CBD. The lush neighborhood borders Spring Valley and New Muthaiga to the South and Rosslyn to the East. The estate is serviced by Waiyaki Way, Red Hill Road, and Peponi Road.
Besides the many bungalows, Nyari offers many other housing options, from apartments to villas and townhouses. Most houses except for a few apartments have DSQs. Rent in this area ranges from Ksh 100,000 (1-bedroom apartment) to Ksh 500,000 (5-bedroom house). 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).
To move to Nyari, you will require 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 estate service fees before moving into the estate. Remember to check with the estate’s management about how late or early moving trucks can access the estate.
7. Moving to Kileleshwa
Kileleshwa is located 7 km from CBD through Ring Road. The estate borders Lavington to the West, Muthangari to the North, and Kilimani to the East. The area has recently seen many upper middle-income earners flocking to live there, which has significantly influenced its growth.
Homes in the area are mostly standalone apartments, with some enclosed in gated courts. Only a few homes have DSQs. Rent prices for houses fall between Ksh 65,000 (2-bedroom apartment) and Ksh 250,000 (4-bedroom apartment).
Moving to Kileleshwa is straightforward, given that most apartments are standalone. You only need to communicate with the building’s management about your upcoming move. Moreover, there are no time or access restrictions for when your moving trucks to the residence, unlike most gated estates. Nonetheless, check with the management to see if the building you are moving into allows movers to use elevators when carrying heavy household items.
8. Moving to Kilimani
Kilimani has emerged as a very popular neighborhood for young people in Nairobi. The mixed development neighborhood is located 4.6 km from the CBD through Lenana Road. The area borders Westlands and Kileleshwa and hosts popular estates of Hurlingham, Upper Hill, and Caledonia.
When moving to Kilimani, expect rent to cost 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 there’s restricted access to moving trucks unless you have a gate pass or communicated with the management prior. Additionally, confirm if your house movers to Kilimani can use the elevators to carry heavy household items from the ground to your floor.
Moving to Kilimani should take 2 days at most, depending on factors such as the management and the moving company you use.
9. Moving to Lower Kabete
Located only 10 km from CBD via the Lower Kabete Road, the Lower Kabete is a mixed development area with both homes and office spaces. Its residency features wealthy Kenyans and expatriates.
Gated estates in Lower Kabete include The Woods, High Grove Village, and Farasi Garden Villas. Housing options include standalone houses and a few recently built apartments. Houses in the neighborhood are mostly for sale, although you can get some rental units. Houses with DSQs sell from Ksh 13 million (3-bedroom apartment) to Ksh 100 million (5-bedroom house).
Movers to Lower Kabete must be cleared by management to access the estate, ideally before the day of the move. To avoid delays and inconveniences when moving to Lower Kabete, find out if there are access or time restrictions by communicating with the management prior to your move. It may take 2 days to complete a move to Lower Kabete from any other part of Nairobi.
10. Moving to Langata
Langata is a popular residential area for middle-income earners. It hosts estates such as Otiende, Madaraka, Rubia, Onyonka, and Nairobi Dam. Housing options include well-designed mansions and bungalows with DSQs, parking spaces, and playing areas for kids. Due to the high demand for housing in the area, new apartment flats and townhouses continue popping up in the area.
Mansions and bungalows in Langata are mostly occupied, but you can buy or rent an apartment or townhouse. Rent prices range from Ksh 48,000 (2-bedroom apartment) to Ksh 110,000 (5-bedroom townhouse).
Remember to liaise with estate management about any potential access restrictions for your home movers to Langata. Some estates may require you to pay estate maintenance fees before you can move in. Moving to Langata from any part of Nairobi is only a day’s task, depending on the size of your move, the distance of the move, your estate management’s readiness, and your home mover.
11. Moving to Kyuna
Kyuna borders Spring Valley and Kibagare Estate and is only 8 km from the CBD. The area is accessible via Waiyaki Way and the least busy Lower Kabete Road. Kyuna offers private, secure living, owing to its high-profile residency of wealthy Kenyans and expats.
You must communicate with the Kyuna estates management about your move about 2 days prior. You will be issued with a gate pass which your home movers to Kyuna must show at the gate. Moving trucks may not enter or exit past certain times.
12. Moving to Spring Valley
Spring Valley is a much more recent estate, 6 km from the CBD. The mixed-development estate borders Kyuna, Westlands, and Barton. It hosts smaller gated communities such as Grevillea Homes, Osho Villas, and Elite Garden Villas.
Housing options include townhouses, mansions, villas and apartment flats. Older homes in Spring Valley have DSQs, and fewer new buildings have the amenity.
Rent prices in Spring Valley range from Ksh 100,000 (1-bedroom apartment) to Ksh 400,000 (4-bedroom house). Buying prices are between Ksh 19 million (1-bedroom apartment) to Ksh 250 million (10-bedroom house).
While Spring Valley has a residents’ association, each gated community has its own rules regarding tenancy and moving to the area. Before packing your household belongings with your house movers to Spring Valley, liaise with the management and find out the nitty gritty. Your moving trucks might need gate pass clearance and there might be other restrictions.
13. Moving to Westlands
Westlands is considered Nairobi’s capital, being only 3 km from the CBD and home to upmarket residential and office spaces.
If you’re moving houses to Westlands, the ideal places to consider are Rhapta Road and Brookside. Houses along Rhapta Road are much more high-end, with a one-bedroom apartment ranging between Ksh 200,000 to 400,000. The same goes for Ksh 100,000 to 200,000 at Brookside. Older homes in Westlands have DSQs, most newer ones do not.
Moving to Westlands estates and apartments requires that you communicate with the management prior to being cleared for access. You may also need to ask about access to elevators for your home movers to move bulkier items.
Moving to Nairobi’s Top Neighborhoods with Nellions
Relocating to Nairobi’s premier estates involves navigating specific resident association and management rules, security vetting, and strict access windows. Whether you’re moving to Westlands or Nyari, success depends on understanding each neighborhood’s unique features and proactive communication with estate management.
Looking for reliable residential movers in Nairobi? Nellions provides full-service house moving with professional packers, insured trucks, and zero-damage care. Join over 15,000 families we’ve served and enjoy a seamless transition to your new home.
Book your free survey today via +2547 000 000 02 or email move@nellions.co.ke
