Is Ngara a good place to live?
Before we dive into places where you’ll find affordable rental houses, let’s take a closer look at Ngara.
What does life in Ngara look like?
Because the rent you’ll pay is one piece of the puzzle.
Daily fare, commuting time, food prices, water availability, and security are other factors you should consider.
So what is it like living there? And is it a good fit for you? Let’s find out.
This is what to expect when you relocate to Ngara.
Where is Ngara located in Nairobi?
Ngara neighbors the Nairobi CBD.
The postal code for Ngara is 00600.
Distance from Ngara to Nairobi CBD
The distance from Ngara to Odeon Cinema through Ngara Road and Globe flyover is 2.1 kilometers.
Where do I board matatu to Ngara?
The Ngara matatu stage in Nairobi is opposite the Fire Station, along Tom Mboya Street.
Fare from Nairobi CBD to Ngara
Ksh 50.
Let’s do the math: If you commute daily to town in the morning and get back in the evening, this is what your budget will look like.
(50×2) x 5 days = 500
500 x 4 weeks = 2,000
In addition to rent, you’ll spend approximately Ksh. 2,000 in fares per month if you decide to live in Ngara.
Walking as an alternative
The good thing is that you can easily walk to town. It’s one of the major selling points here by landlords.
It took me exactly 10 minutes to walk from Equity Ngara to Kenya National Archives.
That’s the route behind Equity, across Nairobi River and along Accra Road.
It may not be a suitable option very early in the morning when it’s still dark or late at night unless you’re macho.
Traffic jam pain points
The main traffic pain point is the Globe roundabout.
Other fares
These are the current fares at the Park Road Bus Terminus.
Fare from Ngara to Meru
Ksh. 1,000
Fare from Ngara to Chuka
Ksh. 800
Fare from Ngara to Embu
Ksh. 450
Fare from Ngara to Mwea
Ksh. 350
Fare from Ngara to Kenol
Ksh. 200
Fare from Ngara to Thika
Ksh. 100
Fare from Ngara to Juja
Ksh. 80
Fare from Ngara to Ruiru
Ksh. 70
Fare from Ngara to KU
Ksh. 60
Fare from Ngara to Githurai
Ksh. 50
Fare from Ngara to Kiambu
Ksh. 50
Fare from Ngara to Murang’a
Ksh. 300
Water availability
I talked to 10 residents about water availability in Ngara.
5 out of 10 said they had water throughout.
The other 5 said water is available only 2 to 3 days a week.
I was informed that water in the Railways area is present 24/7!
Talk to the landlord or caretaker before renting and enquire about water availability. You may need to buy a small water tank.
Food prices in Ngara
6 out of 10 people I talked to said that food prices in Ngara are average.
The remaining 4 said food prices here are high.
Is Ngara safe?
In 2023, there was 1 case of insecurity reported in the media. Read about it here.
So far in 2024, there has been one.
What about unreported cases?
For the unreported cases, I talked to the residents.
6 of the 10 people I talked to said they hadn’t heard of insecurity incidents since the beginning of the year.
The other 4 talked of thieves using bodaboda to snatch mobile phones.
They identified the area around Guru Nanak and Murang’a Road, around Equity, and as you head to Nyamakima as key insecurity areas.
All in all, Ngara is safe.
Business ideas
I was in Ngara the other day to research the most popular businesses. I’ll tell you what I found.
Ngara is the first choice for college students studying in the CBD. Bedsitters are a hotcake here. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough to meet the demand.
Given the high number of young individuals, it is no surprise that pubs and wines & spirits enjoy equal popularity.
But the most popular business in Ngara is the garage business.
I’ll put it aptly: Ngara is a garage town. I know, I know… you’ve probably never looked at it this way. Me too.
If they are not waiting for passengers, the vehicles you see here are waiting to get repaired.
Garages and auto spare shops are THRIVING.
If this is your line of work, consider Ngara a suitable location. Just make sure your auto spare shop is next to a garage.
So are you thinking of starting a business in Ngara? I’d recommend the following:
•Garage
•Auto spares shop
•Guest house
•Pub, wines and spirit
•Fast food joint
What residents love about Ngara
“It’s near the CBD. You can walk to town.”
“Park Road is secure.”
“It’s ideal for business.”
What residents don’t like about Ngara
“Expensive rents, both for residential houses and business shops .”
“Harassment of businesses by County Government officials.”
“Inner roads are not paved.”
“Not the best place to raise a family.”
“The youth is lost in alcoholism and bad behavior.”
“Very few churches. I think there’s only one, or two.”
Alright! Let’s dive in.
Ngara: The outlook, 2024 and beyond
—Just like Pangani, old houses in Ngara are slowly being replaced by modern, high-rise buildings. In a few years — my prediction — Ngara will undergo a complete transformation.
