Posted on 11/20/2015 9:14:00 PM PST by msee
I will be working in Nairobi, Kenya for 8 months starting March 2016. For the period I can rent a car for $1,200 per month, but am thinking I'd be better off buying a new car for about $8,000 and selling it when leaving. How practical is this? Thank you very much for your time and help!
I’ll bite. No. Never buy something for $8000 in Nairobi and expect to get anything in return.
Is it legal for you to drive there? Can you get away with not driving? Some friends who worked in China could use a company shuttle bus and taxis.
If you’re going to be in Nairobi for that long, you’re going to have an entirely different class of problems.
Even if you gave the car away you’d come out ahead buying. Just make sure the thing is in working order before paying for it.
Will this be your first time there?
There are other costs. Why not hire a driver? I worked there and had a driver the entire time. Granted that was many years ago, however the locals knew where to go, where to eat, what was safe, where not to go, introduced me to their families and many other positive aspects to hiring over buying or renting.
I would not buy in that country. They will know you are a foreigner and the car will be stolen or trashed. You cannot be guaranteed the person you are in an accident with has insurance either - sort of like in California!.
Good point. You are really talking about the cost of a vehicle and the cost of insurance. If one buys a car, one would also need to consider insurance cost, repair cost, etc.
Have you ever been to Nairobi? That place is no place for a foreigner to drive in. Guarantee the accident rate has to be real high there. In addition traffic is terrible.
If you can afford it hire a drive to take you around.
If my work sent me to Nairobi for eight months, I’d get a new job.
I’m friends with a few old Africa hands who won’t go there anymore. I suspect the car will be the least of your problems.
100%. Any time I roll into a strange town, I talk to the cabbies or hired driver
There are a lot of really good expat forums out there that will be able answer this question as well as any others you have. More than likely you can find someone who is actually living there and will give you good advice. Good luck! Sounds interesting!!
Maybe Barry left his old Vespa there and you could borrow it from the Obama Library - Kenya Branch.?
Get a new job.
Of course you already checked out the US State Depth Travel warning, right?
*”including the Nairobi area”.
Can you recite the Quran on demand?
Do you feel confident in the loyalty and resolve of the State Dept to save you? Benghazi what-difference-does-it-make, aside?
“Kenya Travel Warning
Last Updated: November 10, 2015
The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risk of traveling to Kenya. U.S. citizens in Kenya, and those considering travel to Kenya, should be aware of continuing and recently heightened threats from terrorism and the high rate of violent crime in some areas. This replaces the Travel Warning of May 13, 2015, to update information regarding the change of travel restrictions for United States government personnel within the country.
Although thousands of U.S. citizens visit Kenya each year without incident, caution and keen awareness of one’s personal security situation is vitally important. The U.S. government continues to receive information about potential terrorist threats aimed at U.S., Western, and Kenyan interests in Kenya, including within the Nairobi area, along the coast, and within the northeastern region of the country. Terrorist acts can include suicide operations, bombings – to include car bombings - kidnappings, attacks on civil aviation, and attacks on maritime vessels in or near Kenyan ports. Travelers should consult the Worldwide Caution webpage for further information and details.
Al-Qaeda and its affiliate, Al-Shabaab, have attacked targets in Kenya for years.”
1,200 DOLLARS per month? In Nairobi?
What a Lamborgini?
First of all, you'll probably like Nairobi. Many expats come and never leave (and not because they died ... :^) . For an African city it is quite developed (probably the most developed in Sub Saharan Africa outside South Africa), and as long as you are paid well you will get every amenity you are used to in the West. Put it thus way, my standard of living at my pay level is measurably higher than when I am in DC or London (be it the house, car, or purchasing power). Additionally, Nairobi is malaria free for the most part (and that alone is a big thing ...you'll believe in hell if you ever catch that).
Going back to your question - I am surprised you can lease a car for 1,200 bucks a month. Must be a really cheap car, if the offer is legit. When I've leased cars they've been for about that amount per day (but then again that was a Mercedes S Class, so it may be possible to get a cheaper car for much less). You could buy a car for quite cheap - and the car will not be stolen - it is just that because you are white you will be given what is known as a 'mzungu' (Swahili for white man) premium. Something that may cost me peanuts may cost you double or triple (oh, and you're expected to haggle ...never accept the first price you're given - cut it by at least a third and be willing to walk away. They'll call after you and give you the lower price).
I'm sure your company can organize a car for you. Most companies have transfer facilitation services that will ensure you get accommodation and transportation.
Before I forget, get a driver. Most Kenyans are really nice friendly people, and you can get a good driver for quite cheap. Why? Because traffic SUCKS! Unless you have driven in places with really bad traffic (Sao Paulo, Beijing, Mumbai) you will not be ready for Nairobi traffic. Unless you are a zen master, or some Opus Dei adherent trying to do some penance, get a driver.
Apart from that I wish you the best.
That’s actually cheap. Before I bought my current car (not a lamborghini, but a 2 door Mercedes sports car) I was leasing a Mercedes S Class for 950 bucks a day. $1,200 a month is actually cheap.
Maybe he’s setting us up to send us one of those “Help! I’m stranded in Narobi!” type emails. :-)
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