Westland Overview
Westlands is a suburb of Nairobi the capital city of Kenya and is traditionally Nairobi’s social and entertainment centre for expatriates and wealthy Kenyans. It has influenced neighbourhood and administrative division in the city of Nairobi. It has a lively cluster of shops, restaurants,and bars .
Westlands was until the early 1980s composed of residential homes and a few shops which has now developed into a major commercial and economic area outside the Central Business District of Nairobi. It was initially considered part of the Parklands area and straddled what is now Waiyaki Way, originally the Kenya Uganda Railway. The area has been nicknamed Westie by majority of the youth of Nairobi.
Westlands is one of the most popular residential neighborhoods in Nairobi as it hosts some of the best attractions in the city. This area is the main social and entertainment center of the city. It has a lot of amenities to offer to its residents,of whom a significant portion are expats. Westlands is home to some of the best bars, cafes, and restaurants. It also has the best nightlife in Kenya. The area is one of the eight administrative divisions of Nairobi. The division has 6 subdivisions or sub locations namely; Parklands, Kitisuru, Highridge, Kangemi, Kilimani, and Lavington.
Walking down the streets of Westlands, you will be delighted with the large assortment of modern shops and beautiful architecture. This vibrant area is possibly the most exciting spot in the city and one of the favorite areas for both Kenyans and expats.
How to get to Westlands Nairobi
Fly in to Nairobi (WIL-Wilson), 3.7 mi (5.9 km) from central Westlands. Nairobi (NBO-Jomo Kenyatta Intl.) is the next closest major airport, 9.7 mi (15.6 km) away.
What to see around Westlands Nairobi
Fun activities such as safaris, sporting events and spas are at hand, along with attractions such as:
- Nyayo National Stadium
- Nairobi City Stadium
- Moi International Sports Centre
- Oloolua Nature Trail
The area’s local highlights include its museums and places like:
- Nairobi National Museum
- Nairobi Railway Museum
- Karen Blixen Museum
For those looking for a souvenir or simply window shopping, here are some favourite shopping areas to visit:
- The Sarit Centre
- Westgate Shopping Mall
- City Market
- Yaya Centre
- Prestige Plaza
Some recommended attractions include:
- Arboretum
- Nairobi Education Centre – Animal Orphanage
- Kenya National Theatre
- University of Nairobi
- Jeevanjee Gardens
When to visit Westlands Nairobi
If you’re still deciding when to visit, here are the seasonal trends to help you plan:
Seasonal temperatures
January-March: 26°C day, 13°C night
April-June: 25°C day, 12°C night
July-September: 25°C day, 12°C night
October-December: 25°C day, 13°C night
Seasonal average rainfall
January-March: 240 cm
April-June: 239 cm
July-September: 86 cm
October-December: 302 cm
Offices, Houses & Apartments in Westlands Nairobi Kenya
All the attractions available in this suburb have made it become one of the most desired neighborhoods to live in the Nairobi city.
Office Space in Westlands Nairobi
Westlands is one of the most upmarket areas of the capital city. It hosts a wide variety of modern houses and luxury apartments. The neighbouthood is commonly associated with a sophisticated lifestyle and luxury. This part of the city is experiencing a boom in its property market with major global and local companies like Google, IBM, Safaricom and the UN setting up their offices here. At the same time, social amenities like shopping malls, banks, hotels, restaurants and schools can be found. There are also several entertainment centers, and club houses which have their franchises and head offices in Westlands.
As a result, a lot of property developers have flocked the area bringing with them developments that accommodate the upper, middle and lower class. Some of the most expensive properties in the region are located in this area. For example, the furnished apartments in Nairobi Westlands are some of the more costly flats. The houses for rent in Westlands are also more expensive but still cheaper than those in say Runda or Karen. However, having an array of properties means that everyone can find something that fits to their budget and expectations.
Houses for Rent in Westlands Nairobi Kenya
Homeownership is a lifelong dream for many. For those who are treading in that direction but are not there yet, renting presents itself as the most viable option to mortgage. Westlands is one of Nairobi’s leading districts in the provision of rental properties. Whether it is rental apartments, houses or commercial properties/ offices. This is mainly brought about by the area’s strategic positioning. Furthermore, it is believed to be one of the best attractions in Nairobi in terms of social and entertainment centers.
The multicultural suburb is ideal for anyone looking for affordable housing with striking street appeal, modern architectural designs and private gardens. When looking for houses to let in Nairobi Westlands, there is a plentiful supply of detached and semi- detached townhouses, bungalows and maisonettes on offer. The magnificent setup of the area has lured in several multinational businesses, which in turn have increased the neighbourhood’s niche as a regional hub for commercial and residential property. Just like other high valued uptown areas such as Runda, Gigiri, Rosslyn, Westlands is bound by stern zoning regulations. These strict rules are instilled by the county government to maintain the location’s high standards of housing design, spacing and construction.
The Benefits of Renting Over Buying a House in Westlands Nairobi Kenya
A typical 3 to 4 bedroom house to rent Westlands Nairobi is, as of 2015, priced as low as KSh 60,000 to as high as KSh 300,000. The wide span in the amount charged as rent is determined by the property’s description, location and proximity to social amenities. Many of the rental houses in Westlands for rent come with extra service facilities such as gyms, swimming pools, playgrounds and gardens. Furnished or serviced houses tend to cost a little more compared to unfurnished homes.
Unlike houses for sale, rental homes present a better financial deal with regard to zero maintenance or service costs within the premises. These charges are usually covered in the lease contract that is signed by the landlord and tenant. Additionally, no major down payment is expected when moving in. Perhaps the most valuable edge that houses for rent offer over houses for sale, is that no real estate taxes are charged depending on the value of the house. This is usually a hefty financial budget for most home owners.
Important Locations in Westlands Nairobi Kenya
- Sarit Centre Shopping mall
- Westgate Shopping Mall
- Nakumatt Ukay
- M.P Shah Hospital
- Unga House
- Mpaka road
- Consolata Shrine catholic Church
- Consolata SchoolLandmarks
Landmarks in Westland Nairobi Kenya
UNHCR branch office in Kenya
The Sarit Centre Shopping Mall
The Nakumatt Ukay Shopping Mall
The Westgate shopping mall
The M.P.Shah Hospital – A private hospital
L’e mac – A office & residential high-rise building
Unga House – An office high-rise building
Mpaka Road – Many businesses have offices on this street
USAID Towers – The headquarters of USAID in Kenya
The High Commission of Botswana to Kenya
The Embassy of Norway to Kenya
The Embassy of Sweden to Kenya
Westlands Office Park
Westlands Primary School
Datoo’s Glassware Mart Ltd
Westlands Nairobi division
Apart from being a commercial centre, Westlands is also one the eight administrative divisions in Nairobi. The division consists of the following six subdivisions (locations):
- Parklands
- Kitisuru
- Highridge
- Kangemi
- Kilimani
- Lavington
Westlands is also an electoral contituency, the Westlands Constituency. It has the same borders with Westlands division.