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Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya, known for its unique blend of urban and natural environments. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 4.4 million. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 20-30 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Kenyan Shilling (KES). 1 USD ≈ 138 KES. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Generally not drinkable without purification. |
| 🔌 Power | Electricity is 240V, 50Hz, with Type G sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Safaricom and Airtel offer affordable SIM plans. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Banks like KCB and Equity allow foreign accounts; apps like TransferWise work well. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from Airbnb to serviced apartments; prices start at around KES 20,000/month. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, M-Pesa is widely accepted for cashless transactions. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Booking.com have numerous listings; range is KES 3,000 to KES 15,000/night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Longonot Hotel offer beds starting around KES 1,500/night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Westlands and Maasai Market area are popular for tourists. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Kilimani and Westlands are great for digital nomads due to their amenities. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Nairobi Garage is a top choice, offering flexible plans and networking opportunities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Artcaffe in Sarit Center is work-friendly with good coffee and Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Nairobi Tech Week and various Meetup groups provide extensive networking opportunities. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups like 'Nairobi Expat Community' offer regular meetups and events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Bolt are widely used for convenient transport. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Zyngo and Safaricom's Boda Boda services are available for scooter rentals. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Diani Beach, located about 30 minutes by flight, is the closest popular beach. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Kenya Airways is the primary regional carrier. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Emirates and Qatar Airways are popular for international flights. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Nairobi has access to major highways including the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Nairobi Railway Station serves as the main train hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | None widely available; buses (matatus) are the common transit method. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and buses provide access to nearby cities like Kisumu and Mombasa. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Aga Khan University Hospital is the top healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | The Yoga Room offers great classes and wellness services. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First in Sarit Centre is popular and well-equipped. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromat services like Mobiwash are available. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Jumia Food and Uber Eats are popular for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Nyama Choma (grilled meat) is a must-try local delicacy. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Veggie places like The Natural Café are highly rated. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | The Cake Shop offers a variety of delicious desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Sarita Market provides budget-friendly shopping options. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Jumia is the leading online marketplace. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Kilimall and Jumia offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Westlands is known for its vibrant nightlife scene. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Tuskys Brewery offers local craft beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Nairobi Wine and Music Bar is a popular venue. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Eastleigh market has great street food options. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Carnivore serve world cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Visit Giraffe Centre and David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Nairobi National Museum showcases the city's heritage. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Karen Blixen Museum is a notable historical site. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Kazuri Beads Women Factory is both a business and a religious social service. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Nairobi International Trade Fair takes place each October. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Kibera is interesting for its cultural significance, but be cautious. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Kenya National Theatre often hosts local performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Maasai Market offers local crafts and art. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music venues like The Sarit Centre host various performances. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Experience vibrant street art in the CBD area. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cook in Nairobi offers local culinary classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Nairobi Gallery features contemporary African art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Nairobi Railway Station features beautiful architectural styles. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Nairobi National Park showcases the coexistence of wildlife and urban life. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Karura Forest is a beautiful urban forest for walks and picnics. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Nairobi National Park provides easy access to wildlife. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Several trails in Karura Forest are good for cycling and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The Karura River has several picturesque viewpoints. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Bomas of Kenya offers great birdwatching opportunities. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Karura Forest has designated areas for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and G4S offer parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Stafford Tech and Phone Hospital offer reliable repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Sportspesa Stadium has facilities for table tennis. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Alliance Française offers French classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Nairobi National Library is a good place to study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Kibera Community Centre focuses on social and cultural activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Nairobi Gaming Lounge offers gaming options. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Monte Carlo Casino is a notable entertainment spot. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. KES 12,000,000 per studio (for a 40 m² unit). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. KES 9,500,000 per studio (for a 40 m² unit). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. KES 15,000,000 per 1-bedroom (for a 60 m² unit). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. KES 11,000,000 per 1-bedroom (for a 60 m² unit). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. KES 20,000,000 per 2-bedroom (for an 80 m² unit). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. KES 15,500,000 per 2-bedroom (for an 80 m² unit). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | The standard corporate tax rate is 30%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | The tax rate applied to dividend distributions is 5%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on their worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The maximum personal income tax rate is 30%. |
| 🧾 VAT | The standard VAT rate is 16%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, there are strict CFC rules governing taxation. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxation is based on market value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | The average rate is 4% during property purchases. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Kenya offers an attractive tax rate for foreign income for remote workers. |