Areas and suburbs in Nairobi

The best places to live in Nairobi

There are plenty of welcoming areas and suburbs in Nairobi for expats looking to make a new home. Before choosing a neighbourhood, weigh up the housing on offer, nearby hospitals, transport links, and how close each area is to work and school. Families gravitate towards some neighbourhoods, while single residents prefer others, and a few areas work well for either.

If your budget allows, the leafier suburbs have upmarket housing and the facilities you would expect at that level. On a more modest income, you can still find a comfortable home in Nairobi's more affordable areas.

Keep two things in mind wherever you look. Nairobi has heavy traffic, so the closer you live to work, the better. Flooding is common during the long rains, so check the drainage in low-lying estates before you sign a lease.

Below are some of the main areas to consider.

Family-friendly suburbs in Nairobi

The most family-friendly suburbs in Nairobi are mostly west and north of the city centre. Households with children choose them for their big plots, quiet streets, strong security, and easy access to good schools.

Housing choice is wide here, and the top private and international schools are within reach, so these suburbs are always in demand. They are also close to embassies, good restaurants, popular bars, and Nairobi's country clubs.

Lang'ata

Lang'ata is a residential suburb southwest of the city centre. Middle-class residents favour the secure gated estates and apartment blocks here, although prices are higher in the smarter gated compounds. Whether you are young or old, you'll enjoy Lang'ata's relaxed, attraction-filled setting. Nairobi National Park, the Giraffe Centre, Bomas of Kenya, and Uhuru Gardens are all close by, and there is regular live music at the nearby Carnivore grounds. Parents also value being near several private schools.

Karen

Karen is one of Nairobi's most exclusive areas. It is southwest of the centre, far enough out that the commute is longer than from most other suburbs on this list. If you can afford it, you can buy spacious townhouses with large gardens and other upmarket homes. There are several private schools and kindergartens nearby, and the Karen Country Club golf course is a big draw. Karen also has modern shopping complexes and plenty of good restaurants.

Runda

Runda is a self-contained, leafy suburb north of the city centre. The US Embassy and the UN complex in nearby Gigiri are close at hand, so it is a convenient base if you work for either of them. Most homes here are large, modern houses on big plots. Families like Runda because there are several kindergartens and nearby primary and secondary international schools. The area is easy to reach by both public and private transport.

Muthaiga

Muthaiga is often called the 'Beverly Hills of Nairobi', and it is home to some of the wealthiest Kenyans and expats. Most homes here are gated and have round-the-clock security. If you have children, you'll appreciate living near a handful of good international schools. The area's country clubs also have excellent sports and recreation facilities.

International Schools in Nairobi
Transport and Driving in Nairobi

Areas for young professionals in Nairobi

The best areas for young professionals in Nairobi are closer to the CBD. Here you'll find more apartments than houses, and nightlife, shops, restaurants, and offices are all within easy reach. City living has its own pros and cons, but here you can enjoy an urban lifestyle without giving up green space.

Parklands

Parklands is a mixed residential and commercial area just north of the central business district. It is well connected to the rest of the city, so many young professionals and students rent apartments here. Parklands also has some of Nairobi's best hospitals, such as the Aga Khan University Hospital, and the neighbouring City Park is good for walks and picnics among its resident monkeys.

Westlands

Westlands is close to the city centre and next to Parklands, so it is a convenient base for young professionals who want to live near work. It is Nairobi's main commercial and social hub, and it has plenty of shops, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Major malls such as Sarit Centre and Westgate are close by. Spring Valley, the quieter corner of Westlands, is known for bungalows and large detached houses, whereas the rest of Westlands is mostly apartment blocks. Some of the housing is gated and has security staff at the entrance.

Kilimani and Hurlingham

Kilimani and Hurlingham are full of high-rise apartment complexes, and several have swimming pools and round-the-clock security. The better complexes have extras such as gyms and saunas, and the top ones have their own health clubs. In Kilimani, you'll find gated estates and both furnished and unfurnished apartments for rent and sale, whereas Hurlingham is better known for freestanding townhouses.

Kilimani has grown fast, so it is now densely built up and busy. It is central, though, and outside rush hour the CBD, Westlands, Upper Hill, and Lavington are all a short drive away. The area also has several international schools, and there is plenty to do, from shopping malls and cinemas to restaurants and even a casino.

Lavington and Kileleshwa

Many families with children settle in Lavington or Kileleshwa, usually in bungalows with lush gardens or in contemporary apartments. Both areas are quiet and leafy, and they are popular with UN and NGO staff. Several embassies are here too, along with international schools such as Nairobi International School. Lavington has the Valley Arcade and Lavington Mall shopping centres, while Kileleshwa is the quieter, more residential of the two. Both are close to the city centre and within reach of some of Nairobi's best museums and galleries.

Pros and Cons of Living in Nairobi
Hospitals in Nairobi
Lifestyle in Nairobi