- From pricey prescriptions to impossible salon bookings, life in the US used to feel like a hassle for Saidah and Jermaine
- That was before the couple relocated to Nairobi and discovered everyday living can actually be easy and affordable
- They shared what they’ve learned firsthand in a move that has reshaped how they view daily life and media narratives about Africa
When Saidah and Jermaine boarded a flight from the United States to Kenya, they expected an adventure. What they did not anticipate was a complete shift in how they understood “basic living”.
Source: Facebook
Now settled in Nairobi, the American couple shared a YouTube video describing their move as transformative and deeply eye-opening.
From healthcare access to dining out, they say everyday life in Kenya has proven surprisingly easier and, in many cases, more affordable than in the US.
“We didn’t move because everything was bad back home,” Saidah explains. “But living here has shown us that some things we struggled with in the US are much simpler in Nairobi.”
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In a YouTube video on their channel, Saidah & Germaine’s Travel Check Ins, they shared the five things that are easier in Kenya than back home.
1. Prescription medication access
The first surprise came quickly. In Nairobi, they were astonished at how streamlined the process of acquiring prescription medicine felt.
Many pharmacies offer online ordering and home delivery, and certain medications are more readily accessible over the counter than they would be in America.
“In the US, getting prescription medication can take days,” Saidah says. “There’s paperwork, insurance approvals, and lots of back and forth. You order online and it’s delivered to your doorstep,” she says. “It feels efficient and less stressful.”
For the couple, the convenience has removed much of the anxiety they once associated with managing routine healthcare needs.
2. Hair, nails and skincare
Personal grooming is another area where they say Nairobi stands out as in the US, they had to book appointments far in advance, and the prices were high.
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In Nairobi, they’ve found a vibrant beauty culture with accessible salons, flexible appointments and affordable pricing. From braiding to manicures and skincare treatments, services are widely available and competitively priced.
“There’s a strong beauty industry here,” she says. “And it doesn’t feel like a luxury, it feels normal and accessible.”
3. Eating healthy and organic food
Back in the United States, Saidah says healthy eating often came with a social label. In Nairobi, however, fresh produce is abundant and affordable.
“Organic food can feel like a status symbol in the US because it’s so expensive compared to genetically modified options,” she notes.
Open-air markets brim with seasonal vegetables and fruit, and locally grown food is a staple rather than a niche product. For the couple, this shift has changed how they view nutrition and lifestyle.
“Fresh food is normal,” she says. “It’s not even branded as something special.”
4. Dining out without breaking the bank
Dining out has become less of a financial calculation. From casual eateries to high-end restaurants, they say Nairobi’s hospitality scene offers variety without the hefty price tag.
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Coming from a country where eating out needs prior planning, they are enjoying the freedom of going out without breaking the bank.
“In the US, going out to eat meant checking your bank balance first,” Jermaine says with a laugh. “What we’d spend over 400 dollars there costs about 150 here.”
The difference has allowed them to enjoy social experiences more freely, without the constant pressure of budgeting for every outing.
5. Living a quality life
Having spent a better part of their lives in the US, they were amazed to find that living a quality life in Kenya is affordable.
From groceries and utilities to leisure and entertainment, daily living expenses are significantly lower, allowing them to enjoy more experiences without the financial stress they once knew.
“It’s refreshing to see that comfort, convenience, and lifestyle don’t have to come with a huge price tag,” Jermaine says.
Beyond cost and convenience, the couple admits that living in Kenya reshaped how they view international media narratives about Africa.
They encourage others to seek balanced information and, where possible, firsthand experience instead of relying only on headlines.
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“Living here reshaped how we view Africa,” Jermaine says. “You realise there’s so much nuance that isn’t shown. Come and see for yourself.”
Source: Youtube
Other lessons from Kenya
For Saidah and Jermaine, what began as a relocation has become a redefinition of quality of life, one where affordability, accessibility and community intersect in ways they never expected.
According to the couple, one of the most powerful lessons they learned was the importance many Kenyans place on history and family roots.
They have since learned that understanding tribal identity and generational background gives people a strong sense of belonging and direction in life.
Contrary to the US culture which is more individual-driven, they observed how members of the community often come together to support one another through education, business ventures, and personal challenges.
US couple finds dream school in Kenya
The couple’s story mirrors that of Doreen Selly and her husband, Anthony Dale, who packed up their lives in Maryland and moved their family to Kenya in July 2025.
What they did not expect was just how quickly that decision would become one they proudly applaud themselves for, and wish they’d taken earlier.
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It all began when they found themselves searching for a school environment that would better support their children’s growth, especially their 14-year-old son AJ.
Before leaving, AJ’s friends from school and the neighbourhood teased him, insisting Kenya had “no electricity or running water” and that he would struggle to adjust.
But those fears evaporated the moment the family visited Brookhouse School in Nairobi as they found the structure and balance the teen needed, a loving community, dozens of teachers and staff members willing to support him.
Source: NgGossips
