Move to Nairobi with family?

[ExistentialThreat]

I may have an opportunity to move to Nairobi for work. It would be me, DH and DD6. I would have an expat package with housing but would likely pay for school. Office in the Westlands area. Help me think this through?

No. I've visited a few times but would never live there.

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya/safety-and-security

@ExistentialThreat

How familiar are you with the city? Any previous visits?

I would do it. Such a great opportunity. Yes, it’s a different way of living but a good experience.

Is it safe?

Yes I have family in Nairobi (living in Karen/Muthaiga/Runda), for the last 15 years. Every time we go visit I wish we could stay! Would move there in a heartbeat.

I've lived in challenging places (used to work in post conflict stuff) so my eyes are open re security. I am trying to understand the other pros/cons and the financial aspect. I have worked across Africa - Kenya, SA, Malawi, Nigeria and travelled more widely - Moz, Nam, Zim etc so am not blind to the continent but have never actually lived in Nairobi.

I love the idea of a different experience for my daughter and the potential to expand her horizons. We're also feeling the squeeze financially in the UK and are not all that optimistic about the future in this country.

If you can live in safety in an expat compound (which definitely wouldn’t be my type of thing if i didn’t have kids) AND I could afford the local international school I’d go

agree with you about everything going to pot in this country. Imagine there is a lot worse going on in Kenya. But it would be an amazing opportunity for so many reasons.

I moved there, Westlands, with family (2 DC aged 6 and 10 and DH) over 10 years ago. Stayed 4 years then back in UK. We had lots of very good experiences (much better standard of living than in UK, Kenyan friends, travel, life in Kenya, schooling in many ways) and some major transitions (schooling too, security, life for the non-working partner, me, till I got a work permit, lots of time spent managing workmen for what should have been simple fixes). Made some very good friends. Vivid life, but not easy. Yes I'd only go if package meant could afford a good school with at least a third international children.

PS It did massively broaden our children's lives and horizons, but I'd also consider if you'd be there for a posting (3-4 years) or for good. Our children, especially the then 11 year old, had a very hard transition back to UK after 4 years thinking himself Kenyan, in a Kenyan international school, with very different outdoor/much wilder barefoot childhood back to a large UK state school where he felt very different from his peers.

Neither of them would regret it now, but don't underestimate the pain of these transitions. On the other hand it left them both very can-do, resilient and with a much broader perspective.

Hi op, I've been living in Nairobi for over 10yrs (in 2 stints 3yrs pre kids, 7yrs with kids) absolutely wonderful life and will stay here as we can. Feel free to DM if you have any questions/would like any advice.

Sounds like a great opportunity.