Affordable Estates Where Most Nairobi Residents Live In
Landlords and residents have since moved to put up new rental houses with quality almost similar to those in the affluent areas...
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Living in Nairobi is considered by many as an extreme sport. Being a capital city with plenty of international recognition, a majority of wares and services offered in the city cost almost an arm and leg.
Quality housing can be found in the affluent areas of Kileleshwa, Lavington, Westlands and Karen among others. However the major problem is for more than 80 per cent of Kenyans living in the city, these houses are out of reach to their budget, especially for those who live by themselves, thus the residential areas in Eastlands and the satellite towns come in as alternatives.
Landlords and residents have since moved to put up new rental houses with quality almost similar to those in the affluent areas. Coupled with the security and other basic amenities such as water throughout and an internet connection for some, several rental residences in Nairobi have risen to popularity, overshadowing the affluent areas.
Viral Tea examines 10 affordable rental residences to live in the city, based on experiences from residences and advice from real estate experts:
Utawala
Its close proximity to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi makes Utawala preferable for Kenyans working in airline companies and within the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), but it is its affordable rent which has seen it rise to a hot pick amongst Nairobians.
A house in Utawala, Nairobi. /HAVILAPLUS ESTATES
It is not as populated as many of the estates within the city, not just because it borders Machakos County, thus it offers a peaceful and quiet option even for those working from home.
A bedsitter ranges from Ksh6,000 whereas a one-bedroom goes for at least Ksh10,000 on average, depending on the part of Utawala one chooses to live in.
Rongai (Ongata Rongai)
Rongai is 25 kilometres from the Central Business District (CBD), meaning it makes a good residence despite the expensive fares to commute to the city and back during rush hour and its proximity to the Nairobi National Park.
A single room costs Ksh3,500, a bedsitter Ksh6,000, a spacious one-bedroom house between Ksh8,000-Ksh10,000, a two-bedroom Ksh12,000, and a three bedroom ranging from about Ksh15,000
Learning institutions such as Multimedia University, Co-operative University of Kenya and Africa Nazarene University among other institutions are near the Estate. Residents also have access to many shopping malls and recreational centres around the place.
Ruiru
The town based in Kiambu County has witnessed sporadic growth over the years due to the construction of the Thika Superhighway which has made it accessible to Nairobi residents looking for cheap housing. It now takes you about 40 minutes to get from Ruiru to the CBD.
Single rooms range from as low as Ksh3,000 while bedsitter rental prices start at Ksh5,000 a month. Additionally, the town is close to the Ruiru Dam which also hosts a number of resorts and restaurants.
Ruaka
This upcoming area is located North West of Nairobi at the Western end of the Northern Bypass. Houses in Ruaka are quite affordable but the presence of Two Rivers Mall and Rosslyn Riviera among others has seen the rental prices shoot up as more people are relocating to the area.
Bedsitters go for an average of between Ksh7,000-Ksh10,000 per month whereas a one-bedroom goes for between Ksh15,000-Ksh20,000 a month.
Roysambu/Kasarani/Zimmerman
One of Nairobi's biggest malls, the Thika Road Mall (TRM) has made Roysambu a go-to rental residence for all kinds of Nairobi residents, even the middle-class and university students. Garden City Mall has made both residential areas easy to access for Kenyans in case of shopping purposes.
It is close to the United States International University-Africa (USIU) and Pan Africa Christian University (PAC), meaning university students almost make up the majority of residents living in Roysambu. Besides housing ordinary Kenyans, the area is also home to foreigners from Nigeria, Congo and Rwanda.
TRM Drive in Roysambu, Nairobi. /MARVIN CHEGE.VIRALTEAKE
As for Kasarani, it is close to the Kasarani Stadium, one of the largest sports complexes in Kenya. Featuring all sorts of housing ranging from single rooms to bedsitters in apartments with 1 to 3 bedrooms.to maisonettes organized in courts and small gated communities, either rentals or owner-occupied homes, Kasarani becomes ideal for people who are just starting out their lives or for those with young and large families.
Zimmerman borders right next to Roysambu and has cheaper houses compared to its neighbour, and more amenities.
A one-bedroom house in Roysambu goes for Ksh15,000-Ksh20,000 per month and a bedsitter goes for between Ksh8,000 to Ksh12,000, with prices varying by area. In Kasarani, a one-bedroom unit goes for about Ksh10,000 -Ksh18,000 while a bedsitter ranges from Ksh6,500 to Ksh9,000.
In Zimmerman, a bedsitter begins from about Ksh5,000.
Kikuyu
It is one of the fastest growing areas in the region and is preferred by many Kenyans due to its affordability as being the only town that is on the Southern Bypass. The fare to and fro the CBD is quite affordable for the working class.
A bedsitter goes for an average of Ksh7,000 per month and a one-bedroom costs between Ksh13,000-Ksh16,000 per month.
Imara Daima
Imara Daima estate is next to Embakasi and it is one of the most preferred estates for people who earn between Ksh50,000-Ksh200,000.
This estate has modern and old buildings. As a tenant, you can choose to live where you can afford because house rent in Imara Daima varies depending on the type of building.
A one-bedroom here ranges between Ksh13,000-Ksh21,000 and a bed sitter goes for Ksh7,000-Ksh12,000. A single room costs Ksh4,000-Ksh7,000.
Donholm/Umoja/Greenspan/Savannah.
The quartet of residential areas is known to house a majority of Nairobi residents due to their closeness to each other, and their proximity to the CBD. They make for good estates for bachelors as well as newly-employed youths in the city.
Umoja estate in Nairobi in a picture taken on June 1, 2020. /DAILY NATION
A one-bedroom goes for between Ksh8,000-Ksh15,000 while a bedsitter goes for Ksh5,500-Ksh9,000. There are several supermarkets in these estates, among them, include Greenspan Shopping Mall, Naivas, Quickmart and Tumaini.
Buruburu
This was one estate famous amongst the rich in the 80s and 90s before they upgraded to Karen and Runda houses, leaving many houses in the populous estate vacant.
These days, Buruburu is more like a mini-town, with all sorts of amenities ranging from supermarkets to banks as well as restaurants, bars and churches. Their houses still maintain their distinct nature but are not as expensive as they were back in the day.
A one-bedroom goes for between Ksh13,000 to Ksh20,000.
Kahawa Sukari/Wendani
Besides being inhabited by a lot of Kenyatta University (KU) students, the estate is a good place for the working class even though rent prices keep rising especially for those living around Quickmart Supermarket in Kahawa Sukari.
A bedsitter goes for about Ksh8,000 while a one-bedroom averages between Ksh10,000-Ksh15,000.
Kitengela
The town located in Kajiado County has seen unprecedented growth over the years and has become famous amongst party-going Nairobians due to the presence of prominent bars, restaurants and clubs (lounges).
Kitengela houses are also not that expensive, meaning you can get a single room for between Ksh 2,500 to Ksh5,000. A bedsitter averages between Ksh4,500 to Ksh8,000 and a one-bedroom goes for between Ksh6,000 to Ksh13,000.
Mlolongo
Mlolongo is located along Mombasa road and its cheap houses make it a favourite for those living next to the airport and those working in offices along the major road.
A one-bedroom goes Ksh 7,500 to 15,000 while a bedsitter goes for between Ksh5,500 to Ksh8,500
Other affordable estates include Komarock, Kangemi-Uthiru, Kawangware, Ngong, Juja, South B and C, Ruai, Kinoo and Athi River among others.
Kitengela Town in 2014. /FACEBOOK.NTV KENYA
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