📍Want our help planning a trip or move to Kenya? Click here: calendly.com/germaineandsaidah/30min 📍 More tips for living in Kenya: ua-cam.com/play/PLiU08jt1dSM1kkU_DZt0NenluPW2b5Cy0.html&si=Kpd5bTEA5b1MLtsm Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and turn on Notifications to stay updated with more tips on slow travel around the world as American expats.
I came here before ETA, back when you paid 5k at the airport for the visa. You can easily get temporary residence and bank account if you know the right. people.
We actually have come across people from Nairobi that have a hard time understanding us. Especially me(Germaine). They explained that in their day to day life English is not really used in the places that they live and work. Even speaking it isn’t really second nature because they have gotten “rusty” at doing so.
Wow, this was such an insightful video! You covered so many important topics that resonate deeply with anyone considering moving to or living in Kenya. I’d like to add some thoughts and questions to each of the topics you mentioned: Kenya Visa Process The visa process can definitely be a challenge for visitors and expatriates. I appreciate how you highlighted the steps and potential hurdles. Did you find any resources or agents that made the process smoother, especially for long-term stays or work visas? Discrimination in Nairobi It's unfortunate but important to discuss this. Nairobi is incredibly diverse, but like many global cities, it has its challenges with discrimination. Were there specific instances or patterns you observed, and how did you navigate them? It’s great that you’re addressing these issues openly it’s a conversation that needs to happen more often. Cost of Living Your breakdown of expenses was super helpful! Nairobi’s cost of living can vary significantly depending on lifestyle and location. I’m curious how do you find balancing the costs of essential needs like housing and transport with recreational activities or exploring the city? Thank you again for sharing your journey and experiences. It’s inspiring and incredibly valuable for anyone planning to visit or settle in Kenya. Looking forward to more of your videos!
As tourists, we haven't been there for a while, but yes, "there are No Refunds", All Sales Final" , "No handouts". Be ready to wait a while for phone service, water connections, etc,. Travel multiple times to confirm it is where you Really want to reside the rest of your life. Learn the language. Have at least a few years of Savings before moving. Have a skill set so you can work, if not starting a viable business. Agree, for those moving there, rent first, get used to the environment, then purchase when comfortable. Re: Anemia, eat more liver with onions, at least twice a week or fresh beet juice. Very good informative video.
Thanks for another great vlog. I love your thoughtful answers that were just authentic. May God continue to bless you and your family. Mpendwa (means beloved in Swahili)
i am glad you answered my question. welcome to kenya, our motherland, by the way blacks are never foreigners in africa, i say so because alot of things connect us be it our food and cultures even though one may not know. Finally i would like to reuest if possible, a good comparison i.e positive things we can learn from usa so that we can also appreciate the other side of the devide
We need more people like this great couple to help people to have different altitude of how Africa is thought to be , please advice people on the issue of homelessness in Africa , im from Kenya and it hurts to see someone sleeping on the cold streets
@wilsonnjuguna4976: the irony of your comment is that you're Kenyan and trying to throw/place a burden that belongs to you as a Kenyan on visitors. If it hurts you so much to see homeless people in Kenya sleep on the streets, what have you done about it individually? Have you pioneered any effort to mend the need, so far? How long have you been concerned? Have you raised the issue with your local political/social leaders before you place the burden before visitors to our country? Have you personally contributed anything material or financial towards alleviating the plight of the homeless? If you haven't, then you're just that, a JOKER. C'mon, be real, genuine, sincere and honest.
It's good to just experience All this, which also makes the government learn of your feelings on this situations,eg airport, schools, hospital same as the malls, restaurants,nice places etc too ‼️🙏🇰🇪❤️
@TravelCheckIns hope so , you are lucky it's now better and more on line, think of it, Kenya amongst most digitalised in Africa,be open minded just go through it,somes just try 'adapting'my guy Dre bros, Germaine true colours are now coming out, if not getting kemyanised,he is now smiling from the outside,not inside,may some Kiswahili lessons start here and there as we all anticipate your DNA tests coming soon,10,000 subs ‼️🙏❤️
You can't get malarial easily in Nairobi unless you had traveled up county in nyaza or western and sometimes at the coast, there's just no malaria in Nairobi
Don’t feel discouraged, Nyayo house is generally a mad house even to Kenyans. Sometimes in the past the fellows kept 6 passports I had applied for myself and family just because I refused to comply with some underhand deals. The torment lasted 6 months
She is right regarding getting a decent furnished airbnb and also the areas you want to stay. A decent furnished airbnb will run you $800-1000+; as I said it also depend on the area you will live. On the other hand, if you're coming with the intention to stay long term an unfurnished apartment in decent areas will cost $500+
@@gibson2675 there is no crime in nairobi, nairobi is among the cities in the world with low crime rates, dont be deceived by the western media, every city has the good and the bad parts
I think like the southern accent, i didnt know it was southern i just thought is how african american men sound like....i think is how i would wish to sound like...its like how i like the jamaican accent.... i just like how he speaks and i want to learn it so dont change
Y'all's accents are just fine. But maybe that's coz I've watched enough American TV to find it normal. Other than that, y'all are so cool. And its inspiring to see people live in their Psalms 139:16 purpose. Be blessed 😊
@robowe3. U.S. citizen can get 5 year multi-entry visa but you will need to leave the country every three months or ask for an extension. Go online at the Kenya embassy and apply through the ETA website, the cost is little less than $200. I just got mine.
Have you heard of the investors visa? I don't have enough details, but, I understand that if you can show that you have access to a certain amount of money then you can get it.
@TravelCheckIns It is... But incentives like clean organic food, less stress and a peaceful environment can always sway them...Once they see, they will think about it, and eventually make the decision.
The funny thing was that particular thing wasn’t supposed to be on the website but it was. It wasn’t a denial. What they offered they weren’t really offering but still no money back but like we said lesson learned. If the US were to do that that then they would be wrong also
With time your accent will localise as much as we when we travel abroad our tones change just like our kenyan Kiswahili does not sound as Tanzanias, environment matters alot enjoy 🙏‼️🇰🇪
Sure! And that’s what we would typically do in the states, however we don’t know how things work here. We don’t want the company to snatch the money back, then it raise red 🚩 at Nyayo House then we find ourself somehow blacklisted somehow. 😅😭 Nyayo House ain’t nothing to play with. 🤣😅😆
I think the Boston accent is the closest to the British accent, or maybe the Kenyan accent, because, I understand, they don't pronounce the "r" in the middle of words so "bad" is the same as "bird".
@@TravelCheckInsMalaria is rare in Nairobi and in high altitudes. At the coast and around Lake Victoria, it could be more of a concern but it's still rare.
Nice Kenyan T-shirt! Lets get one for the man of the house. Then we get you Kenyan wristbands🙂. With the wristbands, Kenyans in the US will easily spot you and make you some ugali and chapati😅.
The process here can be different but that’s all government. The people here would like more efficiency also. Once you get used to a few things it’s all good
But your numbers here are very low. Trust me if you were here in good numbers there would have been movements already. But Kenya is already loosening its immigration laws by first doing away with visas and now working on remote/nomad work permits. The more you come here the more you can affect policy if they see you are willing to open wallets.
I like that you seem to be respectful guests. Interesting watching this influx of black Americans. The greatest challenge I think will be assimilation - because the heavy individualist culture is evident in black American content being filmed in Nairobi. Some content & comments show some black Americans have drunk the saviour complex koolaid - talking about how they are coming to build our economy 🤦♀️ We accommodate guests, but not foolishness. Nigerians also arrived with a lot of chest thumping and loud behaviour about 10yrs ago. They have learned to tone down the decibels & now are much less in-your-face in places like the supermarket & restaurants where they would be ott - mostly letting their fashion choices do the talking now. As long as you come with respect and curiosity to learn, happy exploring.
Shots were not required as I travelled from Europe to the west coast of Mombasa/Diani. Neither yellow fever, but it said that if you went to another country neighbouring Kenya and then returned to Kenya, a shot was mandated. As I don't want these shots, I did not do that.
NYer here with SC roots & if y'all have East African blood that would be a surprise. I have a prominent forehead & when I'm in Nairobi they think I'm Kenyan. SC def had a lot of enslaved Africans & the majority came from W Africa. Your husband's complexion is prob due to Europeans taking advantage of the African women which will come up in those DNA test.
@@frmtheBkstore Saidah here! Hello and thank you for your thoughtful response. I assumed the same about my husband’s lineage until I met his great great grandmother and he also explained his complexion. She was very fair skinned, due to her Native American lineage. I assumed she was mixed with Caucasian DNA, being that she was from the South, but that may not be the case. Our eldest son did dna tests which resulted in 98% East African and 1% Native American. Once we hit 10K subscribers we plan to take the test ourselves to either support or debunk those results. Stay tuned as we’ll be sharing the process.
@@paulinefrancis7502 Go tell Trump to stop fiddling his. So irrelevant. Nobody told you not to fiddle your " blonde grey hair grandma. What's your issue, we black girls will flip our braids as often as we like. Get over yourself.
📍Want our help planning a trip or move to Kenya? Click here: calendly.com/germaineandsaidah/30min
📍 More tips for living in Kenya: ua-cam.com/play/PLiU08jt1dSM1kkU_DZt0NenluPW2b5Cy0.html&si=Kpd5bTEA5b1MLtsm
Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and turn on Notifications to stay updated with more tips on slow travel around the world as American expats.
You can still extend for as long as you want. Kenya has no stringent laws. Work Visa is easy, permanent Residence is easy as well.
We will probably pick a course of action after the holidays
As a Kenyan I just Love your Kenyan overview. It's a great country with it's own small challenges. Continue to enjoy your stay
Asante sana
Nyayo house is special. Even for us Kenyan citizens.
Ditto times 10 Million!
😭
Even me from the city I don't know about black American history but they are very good people honestly
Thanks
I came here before ETA, back when you paid 5k at the airport for the visa. You can easily get temporary residence and bank account if you know the right. people.
Yes. We are slowly building our network of people
I love your husbands humour. He is hilarious
Thank you
someone saying they can't understand Saidah is probably not from an English speaking country. you both are very clear.
We actually have come across people from Nairobi that have a hard time understanding us. Especially me(Germaine). They explained that in their day to day life English is not really used in the places that they live and work. Even speaking it isn’t really second nature because they have gotten “rusty” at doing so.
The guy who said it was from Italy. He didn’t know much English, but did know Swahili which was surprising.
Wow, this was such an insightful video! You covered so many important topics that resonate deeply with anyone considering moving to or living in Kenya. I’d like to add some thoughts and questions to each of the topics you mentioned:
Kenya Visa Process
The visa process can definitely be a challenge for visitors and expatriates. I appreciate how you highlighted the steps and potential hurdles. Did you find any resources or agents that made the process smoother, especially for long-term stays or work visas?
Discrimination in Nairobi
It's unfortunate but important to discuss this. Nairobi is incredibly diverse, but like many global cities, it has its challenges with discrimination. Were there specific instances or patterns you observed, and how did you navigate them? It’s great that you’re addressing these issues openly it’s a conversation that needs to happen more often.
Cost of Living
Your breakdown of expenses was super helpful! Nairobi’s cost of living can vary significantly depending on lifestyle and location. I’m curious how do you find balancing the costs of essential needs like housing and transport with recreational activities or exploring the city?
Thank you again for sharing your journey and experiences. It’s inspiring and incredibly valuable for anyone planning to visit or settle in Kenya. Looking forward to more of your videos!
Thank you. All of those subjects we try to put out as we deal with them
Great video; love the couple's camaraderie.
As tourists, we haven't been there for a while, but yes, "there are No Refunds", All Sales Final" , "No handouts". Be ready to wait a while for phone service, water connections, etc,. Travel multiple times to confirm it is where you Really want to reside the rest of your life. Learn the language. Have at least a few years of Savings before moving. Have a skill set so you can work, if not starting a viable business. Agree, for those moving there, rent first, get used to the environment, then purchase when comfortable. Re: Anemia, eat more liver with onions, at least twice a week or fresh beet juice. Very good informative video.
Great feedback! Thanks for the thoughtful comment and the tips for the anemia.
Great content 🎉🎉watching from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Thank you for watching! We see you fam.
Its true your accent is more clear than your husband.
Nice upload
☀️😎☀️
Thank you 👍
You folks are glowing
Thanks friend! It’s all this good Kenyan food and weather. 🙌🏾
Ya'll fitting in just fine, i look forward to your vlogs every week.
Thank you so much
With $3700 you will live like a king in Kenya.
🤴🏾
@@says782 $3,700us monthly in Kenya is living like royalty
The average salary in Kenya is Ksh 10,000 to Ksh 40,000 monthly $3,700us is like Ksh 470,000 monthly do the math and let that sink in
@@leightonthaxter5673 Absolutely
Thanks for another great vlog. I love your thoughtful answers that were just authentic. May God continue to bless you and your family. Mpendwa (means beloved in Swahili)
Asante sana 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
i am glad you answered my question. welcome to kenya, our motherland, by the way blacks are never foreigners in africa, i say so because alot of things connect us be it our food and cultures even though one may not know. Finally i would like to reuest if possible, a good comparison i.e positive things we can learn from usa so that we can also appreciate the other side of the devide
Thank you! We think that is a good idea
We need more people like this great couple to help people to have different altitude of how Africa is thought to be , please advice people on the issue of homelessness in Africa , im from Kenya and it hurts to see someone sleeping on the cold streets
@wilsonnjuguna4976: the irony of your comment is that you're Kenyan and trying to throw/place a burden that belongs to you as a Kenyan on visitors. If it hurts you so much to see homeless people in Kenya sleep on the streets, what have you done about it individually? Have you pioneered any effort to mend the need, so far? How long have you been concerned? Have you raised the issue with your local political/social leaders before you place the burden before visitors to our country? Have you personally contributed anything material or financial towards alleviating the plight of the homeless? If you haven't, then you're just that, a JOKER. C'mon, be real, genuine, sincere and honest.
Are they really the right people to talk about this? There's homelessness everywhere in the world
It's good to just experience All this, which also makes the government learn of your feelings on this situations,eg airport, schools, hospital same as the malls, restaurants,nice places etc too ‼️🙏🇰🇪❤️
Hopefully they really start putting the interest of the citizens first
@TravelCheckIns hope so , you are lucky it's now better and more on line, think of it, Kenya amongst most digitalised in Africa,be open minded just go through it,somes just try 'adapting'my guy Dre bros, Germaine true colours are now coming out, if not getting kemyanised,he is now smiling from the outside,not inside,may some Kiswahili lessons start here and there as we all anticipate your DNA tests coming soon,10,000 subs ‼️🙏❤️
Thank you
You can't get malarial easily in Nairobi unless you had traveled up county in nyaza or western and sometimes at the coast, there's just no malaria in Nairobi
The mosquitos in nairobi are treated so they don't carry malaria....
Karibuni kwetu. You guys are so lovely and I hope you get to go to Mombasa , I’m a working nurse but Igo to Diani when I come home🇰🇪🎉
Mombasa is on the list! 🙏🏾
Don’t feel discouraged, Nyayo house is generally a mad house even to Kenyans. Sometimes in the past the fellows kept 6 passports I had applied for myself and family just because I refused to comply with some underhand deals. The torment lasted 6 months
Some specialized in deal with it. That is an option also
She is right regarding getting a decent furnished airbnb and also the areas you want to stay. A decent furnished airbnb will run you $800-1000+; as I said it also depend on the area you will live. On the other hand, if you're coming with the intention to stay long term an unfurnished apartment in decent areas will cost $500+
Unfurnished is probably a long term goal after visas and other issues are solved
I love your braids, they are very neat and beautiful.
Glad you like them!
There's no malaria in Nairobi. But when you go upcountry you might need the shots.
Great video as always
Very true like the warmer counties of Mombasa (coast in general) and Kisumu but its still worth visiting these places.
Thank you. No one I know here takes them so I guess I won’t either
Too much crime in nairobbery
@@gibson2675 there is no crime in nairobi, nairobi is among the cities in the world with low crime rates, dont be deceived by the western media, every city has the good and the bad parts
The african asian and chinese media also says the same about nairobbery
I think like the southern accent, i didnt know it was southern i just thought is how african american men sound like....i think is how i would wish to sound like...its like how i like the jamaican accent.... i just like how he speaks and i want to learn it so dont change
Kenyans speak much better than I do. I wish to sound more Kenyan. 😀
Y'all's accents are just fine. But maybe that's coz I've watched enough American TV to find it normal. Other than that, y'all are so cool. And its inspiring to see people live in their Psalms 139:16 purpose. Be blessed 😊
Thank you so much. Blessings to you 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Thank you for the info
Thank you for watching
When you figure out the 5 year visa, let me know
@robowe3. U.S. citizen can get 5 year multi-entry visa but you will need to leave the country every three months or ask for an extension. Go online at the Kenya embassy and apply through the ETA website, the cost is little less than $200. I just got mine.
Yeah, first one to comment ❤❤❤
Yes you are!🥳🎉👏🏾🙌🏾
Look for , the amaranthus vegetable,rich in iron also known as mchicha...
Ok thanks. First time hearing of this one
Have you heard of the investors visa? I don't have enough details, but, I understand that if you can show that you have access to a certain amount of money then you can get it.
A little not much. We’ll probably make a decision on which one after visiting family in the US
Love your braids! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for watching
What if you get land like 20 acres, and have friends who are willing to relocate to Kenya build their houses.would be a nice community
It’s hard to get people to move out of their comfort zone to a new place
@TravelCheckIns It is... But incentives like clean organic food, less stress and a peaceful environment can always sway them...Once they see, they will think about it, and eventually make the decision.
Okay, another great video!
Thank you so much!
No refund? US embassy in Nairobi collects $180 non-refundable fee from each visa applicant. The visa denials for US visas in Nairobi are very high.
The funny thing was that particular thing wasn’t supposed to be on the website but it was. It wasn’t a denial. What they offered they weren’t really offering but still no money back but like we said lesson learned. If the US were to do that that then they would be wrong also
No warries nyaoo its mess but no one will ask you just stay hhh its my home
3700 usd per month you will live comfortably ....
Much more comfortably than you would in the US with the same budget
I love your sense of humor 😂❤
Thanks
With time your accent will localise as much as we when we travel abroad our tones change just like our kenyan Kiswahili does not sound as Tanzanias, environment matters alot enjoy 🙏‼️🇰🇪
👊🏾
HELP: YOU CAN GET YOUR CREDIT CARD COMPANY TO DENY THE $170.00 charge.
Sure! And that’s what we would typically do in the states, however we don’t know how things work here.
We don’t want the company to snatch the money back, then it raise red 🚩 at Nyayo House then we find ourself somehow blacklisted somehow. 😅😭
Nyayo House ain’t nothing to play with. 🤣😅😆
I think the Boston accent is the closest to the British accent, or maybe the Kenyan accent, because, I understand, they don't pronounce the "r" in the middle of words so "bad" is the same as "bird".
Interesting. I can see it
I have you realized that many young African ladies don't wear weaves compared to black American ladies
You looking good
In Nairobi we see weaves left and right
Nairobi mosquitoes don't have malaria.
We do know someone that go malaria a few years ago but I don’t see as many mosquitoes as I did visiting before either
@@TravelCheckInsMalaria is rare in Nairobi and in high altitudes. At the coast and around Lake Victoria, it could be more of a concern but it's still rare.
Yes. The altitude and new construction
Yeah the ladies Accent sounds more British /kenyan
Nice Kenyan T-shirt! Lets get one for the man of the house. Then we get you Kenyan wristbands🙂. With the wristbands, Kenyans in the US will easily spot you and make you some ugali and chapati😅.
Already done. I left my t shirt in the US but bought my hoodie and bracelets for both of us today.
Lovely and you're home ,we appreciate you good people..karibuni nyumbani ,nyinyi ni wetu ..@@TravelCheckIns
That's one thing that irks me about the continent. They want us to come and build, etc., but we get the run around with certain processes.
@@tanyabarnes4899 Doesn't America also want immigrants who come to help build the economy i.e skilled workers????
@@tanyabarnes4899 Kenya asked you to come and build??
The process here can be different but that’s all government. The people here would like more efficiency also. Once you get used to a few things it’s all good
But your numbers here are very low. Trust me if you were here in good numbers there would have been movements already. But Kenya is already loosening its immigration laws by first doing away with visas and now working on remote/nomad work permits. The more you come here the more you can affect policy if they see you are willing to open wallets.
Nkt. Don’t come
Nyayo House is a nightmare. Good luck
😀. Thanks
it is good to have kids young. so how old were you when you got married?
I believe we were 23 and 27 when we married. 🥰 We were 21 and 25 when we met.
@@TravelCheckIns the faith in Christ and peace; you both being on the same page radiates. May God bless your family.
Be blessed
I like that you seem to be respectful guests. Interesting watching this influx of black Americans. The greatest challenge I think will be assimilation - because the heavy individualist culture is evident in black American content being filmed in Nairobi. Some content & comments show some black Americans have drunk the saviour complex koolaid - talking about how they are coming to build our economy 🤦♀️ We accommodate guests, but not foolishness.
Nigerians also arrived with a lot of chest thumping and loud behaviour about 10yrs ago. They have learned to tone down the decibels & now are much less in-your-face in places like the supermarket & restaurants where they would be ott - mostly letting their fashion choices do the talking now.
As long as you come with respect and curiosity to learn, happy exploring.
Thanks for your insight. We agree that respect and curiosity are paramount.
❤❤
Saida you from NY NY alright 😍 The city the melting pot. I like that. You do look it tho. What part Brooklyn?
You can apply for a missionary work permit.
That’s on the table
@TravelCheckIns Do it before the new rates kick in. I've heard they might increase cost of permits by a huge margin.
You can rent a land for 99 yrs and you will not have to pay for visa anymore
I’m not the biggest fan of what I know about leasing so far. But that is something we are considering
Nyayo house isn't for the weak rofl. And you may need malaria shots if traveling to the coast and Western Kenya which are the malaria prone areas.
👌🏾
Shots were not required as I travelled from Europe to the west coast of Mombasa/Diani. Neither yellow fever, but it said that if you went to another country neighbouring Kenya and then returned to Kenya, a shot was mandated. As I don't want these shots, I did not do that.
I don’t want them either
Love me some Q & A's, do more of these. Looking forward to hearing how the city girl fell for the Southern charm impersonated by Germaine. 😁
Thanks Alex. Lets us know if you have any questions. You know yours go to the top of the list. ✊🏾
@TravelCheckIns I'll think of a few 😁
im shocked, i thought you guys would be in your late thirties!
Haha! The 30’s are a thing of the past now. We appreciate you watching today’s video.
Bring an immigration lawyer to your channel for the interview. Apparently, you guys are not experts on the topic, and this welp any confusion
We are not experts on the subject. That’s why we stay away from advice on the subject.
NYer here with SC roots & if y'all have East African blood that would be a surprise. I have a prominent forehead & when I'm in Nairobi they think I'm Kenyan. SC def had a lot of enslaved Africans & the majority came from W Africa. Your husband's complexion is prob due to Europeans taking advantage of the African women which will come up in those DNA test.
@@frmtheBkstore Saidah here! Hello and thank you for your thoughtful response.
I assumed the same about my husband’s lineage until I met his great great grandmother and he also explained his complexion.
She was very fair skinned, due to her Native American lineage. I assumed she was mixed with Caucasian DNA, being that she was from the South, but that may not be the case.
Our eldest son did dna tests which resulted in 98% East African and 1% Native American. Once we hit 10K subscribers we plan to take the test ourselves to either support or debunk those results.
Stay tuned as we’ll be sharing the process.
Love the vids but please stop fiddling with Yr hair
Black hair and White hair not the same texture .
@@paulinefrancis7502 Go tell Trump to stop fiddling his. So irrelevant. Nobody told you not to fiddle your " blonde grey hair grandma.
What's your issue, we black girls will flip our braids as often as we like. Get over yourself.