My Experience Living In Mombasa (Insights From A Local)

I was born and raised in Mombasa. I am the best person to share with you everything you need to know about living in Mombasa.

I will share all the details you need to know when it comes to living in Mombasa.

If you are thinking about moving to Mombasa, there are things you need to know about the city.

Everyone will tell you that Mombasa is a coastal paradise but that can be super tricky if you have no idea of how to navigate it.

Like every popular city in the world, Mombasa also has its highs and lows that I will share to help you decide about moving to this incredible city.

Mombasa is a home of fun and amusement that everyone is yearning to experience.

It has so many things to offer to the visitors thus making it one of the popular tourist destinations in Kenya.

There is so much to history to learn and unravel since it’s one of the oldest cities in Kenya.

Mombasa has been rated as one of the cheapest cities to live in.

I have been lucky enough to live on two different sides of the country. Also, I have managed to travel to different counties in Kenya, explore, and learn so much about them.

All this knowledge has helped me gather so much information that I can provide as a comparison for you to know which city is best for you to live in.

Before you move to a place you first must consider if the area is safe and affordable for you.

Mombasa is a little bit tricky when it comes to the safety. As you go deeper into this article, you will know what I mean.

But first, let me cover the basic things you need to know about Mombasa, Kenya.

Is Mombasa, Kenya a good place to live?

Mombasa is an incredible place to live for anyone who wants to experience the coastal paradise vibe because of the beaches, learn the history of the city, and be one of the lucky people to taste the incredible Swahili dishes.

It’s one of the cities in Kenya that can provide you with both atmospheres. It can be super chaotic and calm.

The face of the city changes with seasons. There are low peak seasons and high ones, which gives the city a very different feel and vibe.

When it gets closer to the festive seasons the entire city vibe changes and everywhere in the streets you will see everyone lighten up.

The businesses get super active, the streets get crowded and tourists keep filling the beaches and expensive restaurants.

Mombasa is a beautiful and calm city to live in. Especially if you like the beach lifestyle, parties, and nightlife scenes, the seafood, the Swahili dishes, and recreational activities.

You can get any kind of fun you are thinking of trying in the city.

It’s the home of amusement and joy and that is why it attained it’s also known as “Mombasa Raha.”

If you are in for the party life and fun, this city will never disappoint you at all.

On the other hand, if you want a slow life, you can also get it within this city. You just must know where you to locate it.

There are many incredible areas to stay in Mombasa that will give you the environment you are seeking.

I have been lucky enough to explore the city to the fullest and see different sides of the city.

I can’t lie to you that Mombasa doesn’t have its cons. I will be honest with you, it’s not always fun and joy in the city.

Anyway, we all know that every city has its demons. Mombasa is affected with one too; drugs and dumping issues are ruining the reputation of the city.

The drug addicts bring about insecurities in parts of the city, while the dumping issues ruin the beautiful image of Mombasa.

This is something you should expect to deal with when you come to Mombasa. The good thing is that these are all things you can deal with.

The only thing you must do is find the best place for you to live. Finding the best place to live also comes at a cost.

Read also; 7 Best Areas To Stay In Mombasa

Is life in Mombasa expensive?

Now let me talk about the most important part when it comes to living in Mombasa, Kenya.

Life in Mombasa is amazing especially when you have something going on in your life.

If you have a business, it’s very easy for it to thrive in the city. On the other side, if you have a remote job, you are in a good position since you will avoid the commute and the high temperatures of the city.

Life in Mombasa is very cheap compared to other cities in Kenya. Mombasa is rated one of the cheapest places to explore and live.

The most important aspect that makes Mombasa one of the cheapest places to live are the accommodations, recreational activities, food, and transportation.

The rentals in Mombasa are very cheap compared to other big cities in Kenya.

An apartment that you rent at Ksh 10,000 in Nairobi or Nakuru, you would find at about Ksh 7000 in Mombasa.

Living in the town isn’t that expensive compared to what you will encounter when you move to Nairobi.

The rentals, hotels, and Airbnb are very cheap thus giving you more options to explore if you are searching for a perfect place to live in Mombasa.

You can rent an Airbnb in the city for months if you don’t want the issue of moving in with your items.

Apart from that, some areas are super cheap for you to live in. If you move a little bit out of the island you can still find great areas to live in if you don’t like the chaos of the city.

Another thing that makes Mombasa one of the cheapest cities to live in Kenya is the transportation cost.

It’s very cheap to move around Mombasa compared to other cities in Kenya. There are so many tuk-tuks all over Mombasa that take people from one location to the other.

There are also bodabodas (motorcycles that you can use to move around the city) at a very low cost.

We also have matatus, which are commonly used as a means of public transport in Mombasa and are cheaper compared to taxis.

So, you don’t have to worry about spending so much money when it comes to moving around the city even if you have a job quite far from the city center.

When it comes to exploring the city and seeing exotic locations, beaches, hotels, and restaurants it’s going to be super cheap for you.

Moving in and out of the city is not expensive, it’s one of the factors that make Mombasa one of the cheapest cities to explore in Kenya.

When it comes to food, there are so many markets in and out of the city that can provide you with cheap fresh food.

Since Mombasa is the second largest city in Kenya, the agricultural produce from other counties is dropped and distributed to the rest parts of the county.

This minimizes the amount of money one will have to spend on food.

There is the Kongowea market which is one of the largest markets in Mombasa, followed by the marikiti (MacKinnon) market in Mombasa CBD, we also have the biashara streets where so many foods are sold at cheap prices.

You don’t have to stress yourself when you want to do food shopping.

Apart from that, if you don’t like cooking there are amazing cheap restaurants in Mombasa that can give you the taste of the best Swahili dishes.

The same type of food you will eat in Mombasa at Ksh 200 is going to cost you Ksh 500 in Nairobi.

This is just to show you that you won’t starve in Mombasa simply because you can’t afford a meal.

There are the street foods that are sold in the streets of Mombasa which are also super affordable.

Mind you, Mombasa is known for the best street foods that other cities in Kenya are trying so hard to emulate.

With the prices of food being super low, it makes Mombasa one of the cheapest cities to live in.

Life in Mombasa is cheaper even if you are into parties and luxurious lifestyles.

The amount of money you would spend to live a simple life in Nairobi or Nakuru is the same that is going to give you a lavish lifestyle in Mombasa.

There are a lot of things to do in Mombasa that are affordable enough even if you are living on a tight budget.

Read also; 17 Top Things To Do In Mombasa

You can have fun in Mombasa without even spending anything if you don’t want to.

There are amazing hang-out spots in Mombasa that locals and tourists visit and spend their day relaxing without spending anything.

You can have an adventure in the city without breaking your bank account. If you decide to move a little bit to the south coast you will still have incredible beaches and historical sites to visit.

Many people have been moving to Mombasa because of how cheap things are, and the ability to access so many incredible locations at an affordable cost.

You can’t get bored in Mombasa since every weekend comes with its unique style.

The city keeps receiving thousands of visitors thus making it super alive.

It’s easier to make friends and even find your soulmate. The city is full of beautiful people who are super friendly and willing to share their cultural practices, stories, and experiences living in Mombasa.

This is another aspect of the city that will leave you blown away. Mombasa has a large collection of people of every kind and from different tribes.

Is it safe to live in Mombasa?

When it comes to safety in Mombasa, I can’t generalize that the entire Mombasa city is safe for you to live in. Other areas in Mombasa are a bit unsafe for tourists to live in. Only the locals can handle the measures they have to put in place to be safe.

What I can tell you is that most parts of Mombasa are safe to live in. Just like any other city in Kenya, you have to take measures to keep yourself safe.

The location you will choose to live in Mombasa also plays a big role when it comes to safety.

Petty theft, pickpocketing, and robbery exist in Mombasa, don’t let anyone tell you that you will never experience any single negative thing in the city.

The best areas to live in Mombasa are those that are well-protected and close to police posts. Developed areas in Mombasa are safer compared to undeveloped ones.

Locations that have a lot of things going on are considered safer. Areas that are close to big markets, areas around the city, areas close to big recreational facilities, close to beaches, and major hanging-out parks; are safe.

Isolated areas that are far from the city centers are usually dangerous. We have areas that are in well-known parts of Mombasa but are still unsafe.

The locals know each other better. They know how to evade these dangerous places and they have an idea of the kind of people they should stay away from.

For someone like you who knows nothing much about the area, you are likely to drag yourself in a lion’s den.

You won’t know the streets you should avoid, the kind of people you should stay away from, and how to protect yourself from scammers.

The safety in Mombasa depends mainly on the area you will choose to live. If you pick the wrong area to stay, you are likely to encounter a lot of problems.

Some of the safest areas to live in Mombasa are these;

Mombasa town (CBD).
Kizingo.
Nyali.
Shanzu.
Bamburi.
Vipingo.
Tudor.

The above areas are considered to be the safest locations to live in Mombasa. You won’t have to worry about getting mugged by bandits in these areas, though they aren’t 100% secure.

They are considered safer than other areas I’ll mention soon.

They are well protected since they are a little bit developed more than other parts of the city.

Locations that have lots of businesses and social services; are well-kept and protected.

I have been living in Mombasa for more than 20 years, but I can’t go to some of the areas because of safety reasons.

The drug abuse issues in the city leave so many young people unemployed and with no purpose in life.

Since they have no money to get their fixes, the only thing they will think of is robbing people in the streets. Apart from that, street kids are also dangerous since they can snatch your phone or purse from you if you aren’t vigilant.

You can’t be certain about some locations unless you have been around that area and seen how things go.

I got robbed in Mombasa by the street guys and lost my camera while I was filming my YouTube videos. That happened to me along Haile Selassie Avenue in the daylight.

It’s not that there were no people to help me out, they just looked at me while laughing as I was in shock.

Mombasa is a safe place to live but you have to know which areas you should avoid. Not all places are safe, but those that have a lot of activities going on, are more safer than those that are dormant.

To be safe while living in Mombasa you have to acquire knowledge from the locals. Talk to them and ask them about th places that are best for you to explore.

Even some of the prominent areas in Mombasa like the old town, mlango wa papa, and deeper within the narrow streets in the middle of the town are unsafe.

All this information requires you to get in touch with the locals that stay around that area.

The areas that are considered unsafe in Mombasa are;

Kisauni.
Bamburi Mwisho.
Miritini.
Mshomoroni.
Likoni.
Mtongwe.

To summarize, the safety of Mombasa varies from place to place, some areas a quite safer than others.

You will be safe in Mombasa if you avoid places that are dodgy and unsafe. Choose wisely the places you choose to visit and do thorough research about an area before you visit it.

Things keep changing every day.

Pros and cons of living in Mombasa

Living in Mombasa has its pros and cons, expect to see the good and bad side of the city. I have been living in Mombasa for so long, that I have seen both sides, let me break them for you.

These are the pros of living in Mombasa;

It’s cheaper to live in Mombasa.
The weather in Mombasa is favorable.
It’s a home of fun and amusement.
Mombasa still upholds its moral integrity.
Living in Mombasa gives you access to rich historical information.
It’s easier to start a successful business because of a large number of tourists.
Living in Mombasa enables you to explore the entire coastal region.
Learning about the culture and language of the locals becomes easier.
It’s one of the cities that has a Terminus station.
You have access to beautiful stunning beaches.
It accommodates people from different communities.
Things in Mombasa are calm and slow; very different from other cities in Kenya.

These are the cons of living in Mombasa;

Some parts of Mombasa are unsafe.
The city is highly affected by drug addicts.
Mombasa has dumping problems which leaves the city dirty.
The development of the city is slow; thus, limited opportunities.
Malaria is a common problem because of the mosquitoes all year around.
The temperatures tend to be unbearable even when it rains; you need A/C and fan.
If you live in Likoni, you will have to waste so much time crossing the Likoni Ferry Channel.
There are no amazing hiking spots for those who seek adventure on trails.
The rich completely isolate themselves from the people; thus bringing about division in the communities.

Lastly…

Mombasa is an incredible place to live since it’s filled with many things you can explore. Besides that, it’s one of the cheapest cities to live in Kenya.

It’s a beautiful city in Kenya that still observes its cultural heritage. You can get lost in the vibrant city trying to understand its vibe. It has a lot of things to offer.

Living in Mombasa will allow you to learn about the culture and history of the locals. If you aim to understand how they handle their lives, this will be a jackpot for you.

Most areas in Mombasa are safe, it has major medical facilities that you can access, recreational facilities are top-notch for someone who wants to have fun and it’s great to have access to the beautiful beaches without spending anything.

My life in Mombasa has been great. In this city, I have created great memories that will never fade.

Besides the amazing picture that Mombasa portrays worldwide, it has its issues.

If you want to live in Mombasa you have to be ready to tackle some of the challenges brought about by insecurity in some areas and its slow growth.

When it rains heavily some parts of the city are completely flooded and the roads become inaccessible, water enters buildings and gets chaotic in crowded locations.