Long Term Accommodations for Rent in Nairobi

[tamale]

Sorry that this is a question as opposed to information on the mongering scene. I'm planning to live in Nairobi for 6 months and am seeking advice on finding cheap accommodation for 6 months. What would be the monthly cost of getting a guesthouse that has a bathroom and running water and electricity most if not all the time or for renting a 1 bedroom flat? You can private message me to not waste space in this forum.

I know from living in Ghana the challenge is finding the 'local' price instead of the 'foreign' price and having to avoid paying all 6 months up front. Any advice/contacts/websites/ would be greatly appreciated. In Ghana you can get a guesthouse for around $300 u.s. per month. Is that cost possible in Nairobi?

If I do make it to Nairobi I promise to make a contribution.

[robert75]

Try asking your question on tripadvisor.com you might get more info there.
I dont think your going to find anything for $300 a month though if you want a fairly good standard. Kenya is not as cheap as it should be. Maybe $500+ it will set you back.

[azeb411]

$300 will get you no more than a shack, and condsider you safety, as nice as it is Kenya can be a bit scary with home invasions car-jackings, roberies etc,

So look for a furnished appartment that houses forigners. don't be tempted to move in to the local neighbohood no matter how cheap it is, it will not be worth it !

You will attract too much attention and be a target / set up by the ladies

I assume you will be working for a company? if so ask them the find you a decent appartment

[canthelpmyself]

I have been to several places that are really apartment style places that would be safe enough for a foreigner. Some of the estates (and I use that term loosely to mean a group of apartment buildings with a common guarded gate can go for as little as 10000 shillings. My GF currently lives in a nice two-bedroom apartment near the CelTel facility on Mombasa Rd. for 20,000. Running water, electricity, easy access to town, etc. I'd live there easily.

[tamale]

Thanks for your advice. The trick is to find out what the price is...seems to be hovering around 500 u.s (no shack) versus 300 u.s (possible shack or high risk) Any advice on how to pay monthly instead of having to pay the entire 6 months up front like in Acca? Is a room in a guesthouse a possibility based on negotiation for under $500 u.s.per month? If so, feel free to private message me with names, further advice. Don't want to waste space here.

[smallworld]

tamale, don't worry about this question wasting space. this is important info for all of us. i am living in ghana now and i have been to mombasa and was wondering the same thing.
the 1st thing that struck me when i got to africa was that you have to pay all 6 months or 1 year up front. i guess it does make sense considering there is no credit history here.
ive often thought of owning an apartment building in africa and renting the units to foreigners or mongerers, im sure it would turn a nice profit but who knows in africa.
i also thank those who have given information to this question.

[Simba22]

SmallWorld,
That is not the case all over. In fact, I have never had to pay 6 months upfront. Now most will want the deposit plus first month or two months up front. If you can do some sort of automatic draft from bank, I have gotten by with just one month and deposit. Now it is totally Neog., like most things in Kenya. But here again, I have good references and have lived there for up to 3 years. My be worth getting a good lawyer to neog. for you, which I have done with former neighbor who was lawyer.
Recently I moved my girlfriend into a fairly nice place off of Thika Rd. and had to pay two months rent up front plus some deposits, but total was 40Ksh. (18ksh per month, plus extra month, plus 4k deposits)
Anyway, it is gated and has two bedrooms, with bathroom, kitchen, living room, etc. So when I go there in June, I already have my place to stay.
Now this is Nairobi. If you move out to Kisumu or Thika, then you can get really nice 4 bedroom house for 25k. But then again that is outside of Nairobi.