Mombasa, a favorite and main destination for foreign investment, especially in the real estate market, is home to a considerable number of foreigners from Asia, Europe, the United States and even Australia. So where in Mombasa do these expats or foreigners live?
Mombasa has established its name as a cultural port city that has been able to withstand numerous invasions and occupations by foreigners from overseas countries. The various tourist attractions of the city include coral reefs and islands, sandy beaches, historical monuments, variety of wildlife and a conducive tropical climate, which have attracted local and foreign investors in various sectors of the economy.
Mombasa’s Little Europe, Mtwapa
If you want to go to Europe, you don’t need to spend a fortune doing it. Just take a walk to Mtwapa, located less than 10 miles northeast of the city.
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An old, vibrant and busy city, Mtwapa operates comfortably on a 24-hour economy and is the fastest growing real estate market in Mombasa.
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Originally occupied by a native community, Mtwapa got its name from the locals who referred to themselves as “mtu wa hapa” meaning “someone from here” with the aim of segregating outsiders. This is no longer the case as Mtwapa has become a confluence of local and international cultures.
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Mtwapa is popularly known as Little Europe due to the large number of Italians, Germans and British who have literally driven out the natives (who can no longer afford the rising cost of living in the city).
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Mtwapa is proving to be an ideal investment location, especially in the property market, with an acre of land costing between Ksh16 million and Ksh18 million.
Mtwapa has it all, from modern entertainment venues, 4 or 5 star hotels, complex buildings, and wildlife sanctuaries to archeological relics, a beach, religious buildings, and a waterway to the Indian Ocean, all of which generate good returns on investment.
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Mtwapa has not escaped unscathed, and locals lament the erosion of social and cultural ideals as prostitution, gay relationships and stripper clubs become the norm in the town.
The Asian/Arabian city of Mombasa
Asians and Arabs have occupied the city of Mombasa since pre-modern times when they came to the city to exchange their goods and services for gold, ivory and spices. Many of them chose to reside in the port locality becoming part of the city.
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Old Town, located in the southeast of the island, is the Asian/Arab city of Mombasa that is home to the majority of people of Asian and Arab origin.
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The residence of Asians and Arabs here can be understood as the area has numerous structures, street arrangements and building designs, architecture and character that is clearly Asian and Arab and they would naturally feel at home away from home.
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Interestingly, there are several temples and mosques here to meet the religious needs of the population.
Mombasa’s city of the rich
Predominantly occupied by wealthy foreigners and “who’s who” in Mombasa’s social and business circles (celebrities, businessmen and politicians), Nyali is the city of the city’s rich.
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Located less than 20 minutes north of the city center, Nyali has the best in terms of infrastructure.
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Leaning towards the Indian Ocean and home to numerous high-end resorts and hotels such as Sarova White & Sands and Intercontinental Hotel etc, residential villas and commercial facilities, Nyali is perhaps the most expensive place to live and even invest within the city.
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Most of the foreign expatriates working for multinational companies operating in Mombasa reside in Nyali, which helps improve economic performance and property development.
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Nyali has the best movie theaters like Nyali Cinemax, shopping malls like City Mall, restaurants like Galitos, and coffee shops (like Java and Dormans).
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