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If you’re living in Nairobi, Kenya, chances are you have the same question: How can I live on $200 per month? Even if you have more than $200 to your name, that amount of money might not last long when you start factoring in housing and other basic expenses like transportation and food.
Water
In Nairobi, water is not something you can take for granted. The city has been hit hard by drought in recent years, and water shortages are common. If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll need to be careful about how you use water. Here are some tips
Make sure you pay for water and not just turn on any tap you happen to see. Even in hotels and private homes, people often have meters for water. If your use goes over a certain amount of gallons per month, you’ll be hit with an extra charge. Another option is buying bottled water at stores like Naivas or Quickmart supermarket chains.
Another option is buying bottled water at stores like Nakumatt or Tuskys supermarket chains. Inexpensive 3-liter bottles of water can be purchased for around $1. These bottles are usually delivered to people’s homes and businesses, so you don’t have to worry about where to find them in town. Buying these instead of drinking from a tap will greatly cut down your water costs.
Food
One of the best things about Kenya is that you can get a lot of food for not very much money. I was able to get by on about $5 per day for food, which included plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as some meat and fish. That said, if you’re eating out every meal (even at cheap places), your costs will skyrocket! It’s also worth noting that these prices are significantly cheaper than what an average Kenyan would spend each month. If you have more than $2-3 per day to spend on food, then it may be better to live somewhere else in Africa where your budget could stretch further.
Accommodation
Finding accommodation in Nairobi on a budget can be tough, but it’s not impossible. The first step is to figure out what your priorities are – do you need to be close to the city center or can you compromise on location for a lower price? Once you know what you’re looking for, start scouring online listings and talking to locals to get an idea of what’s available. If you’re flexible and willing to live with roommates, your options will open up even more.
Transportation
Nairobi is an expensive city to live in, but it is possible to get by on a budget of $200 per month. Public transportation is available, but it can be crowded and uncomfortable. A better option is to take advantage of the many Uber and taxicab services that are available. Prices vary depending on the service you use, but you can expect to pay around $5-$10 for a ride across town.
Communication
It can be tough to get by on a tight budget, but it is possible to survive on $200 per month in Nairobi, Kenya. Here are some tips on how to make it work.
The first step is to figure out where your money is going. Write down all of your expenses, and review how you can adjust them to fit within your budget. Are there any recurring expenses that you can get rid of? How much do essentials like food and shelter cost each month? Can you reduce your cell phone bill by switching plans or going with a pre-paid option instead of a monthly contract plan?
Health and Hygiene
There are a few things you need to keep in mind if you want to try and survive on $200 a month in Nairobi, Kenya. First, health and hygiene are very important. Make sure you have access to clean water and soap so that you can stay healthy. Second, food is going to be your biggest expense. Try to cook at home as much as possible and eat out only when necessary. Third, transportation costs can add up quickly, so try to use public transportation as much as possible.
Each month you’ll need to spend around 600 Kenyan shillings ($7.50) on transportation, 900 shillings ($11) on housing, and 1,600 shillings ($20) on food. That’s $28 per day or $864 per month. And that doesn’t include health care costs!
Many people living on less than what you earn have no access to health care at all.
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