Type of housing

Furnished apartments for the transition or longer

Furnished apartments are nice for transitions or long term.

Guesthouses

Usually small studios or one-bedroom houses located on secure properties with some privacy from the main house. They are sometimes furnished and are often very charming and reasonably priced.

House or apartment?

Apartments are going up everywhere in Kenya. There will soon be an oversupply so they should get less and less expensive as single houses get more expensive to rent.

Why not buy?

In a stable housing market like Kenya, buying is a smart investment. If you're an expat, ask if your housing allowance can be applied towards a mortgage. Cash in on that equity when you sell.

Single house or compound?

Compounds pros:

• Generally good security; helpful if you travel often and leave your house empty or spouse and kids behind.
• Many compounds have playgrounds, gyms, swimming pools, common areas that you can use for parties and other nice amenities
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• Some compounds offer a nice community feeling (sharing sugar and playgroups for kids).
• Compounds often have large areas for kids to run around, explore, ride bikes, etc. without security issues.
• Security and gardening are generally included in the price so you don't have to manage a lot of domestic staff.

Compounds cons:

• Can feel crowded.
• Can lack privacy.
• Many don't offer staff quarters.
• May not have good security practices in terms of letting guests onto compound.

Single house pros:

• Privacy.
• You don't have to share any of your space.
• Almost all have staff quarters so your staff can live-in.

Single house cons:

• Less security than compounds.
• Have to manage domestic staff including security and gardener.
• If you are renting, you may have trouble getting your landlord to make needed repairs or they may take long.

Security

What to look for:

• Is the yard walled?
• Is there an electric fence?
• Is the entrance to the property secure (proper lighting, no overgrown bush)?
• Is the house or compound outfitted with security lighting?
• Is the house in an isolated area, bordering a forest, a river or a valley? (could mean danger)
• Are there barred windows? Are they sturdy?
• Is there a safe haven or rape gate (a secure area for retreating or sleeping protected by a heavy metal gate, preferably upstairs)?
• Is there a motion detector alarm system?
• Does the landlord provide a panic button (an alarm button that will bring backup guards to your house when pressed)? If not, pay additional for this service.
• Is the road to your house/compound well lit? Is it bushy?
• Is there a neighborhood association in the area? Is the community active in policing the area?