- From expensive medications to difficult appointments at salons, life in the United States once seemed like a challenge for Saidah and Jermaine.
- That occurred before the couple moved to Nairobi and found that daily life could actually be simple and cost-effective.
- They exchanged their personal insights, leading to a transformation in their perspective on everyday life and media portrayals of Africa.
As Saidah and Jermaine stepped onto a plane heading from the United States to Kenya, they were excited for an exciting journey. What they hadn't expected was a total change in their perception of what it means to live simply.
Currently living in Nairobi, the American couple posted a YouTube video explaining their relocation as a life-changing and profoundly enlightening experience.
From access to medical care to eating out, they claim that daily life in Kenya has turned out to be surprisingly simpler and, in many instances, cheaper compared to the US.
Saidah explains, 'We didn't leave because everything was bad where we were from.' However, residing here has revealed that certain challenges we faced in the US are far easier to handle in Nairobi.
In a YouTube video posted on their channel, Saidah & Germaine’s Travel Check Ins, they listed five aspects that are simpler in Kenya compared to their home country.
1. Prescription medication access
The first unexpected event happened fast. In Nairobi, they were amazed by how efficient the process of getting prescription medication seemed.
Numerous pharmacies provide online ordering and delivery to your home, with some medicines being easier to obtain without a prescription compared to the United States.
In the US, obtaining prescription medication can take several days," Saidah explains. "There is paperwork, insurance approvals, and a lot of communication back and forth. When you order online, it's delivered right to your door," she says. "It seems more efficient and less stressful.
For the pair, the ease has eliminated a significant portion of the worry they previously linked with handling everyday medical requirements.
2. Hair, nails, and beauty care
Personal hygiene is another aspect where Nairobi is noted for being different, as in the US, one had to schedule appointments well ahead of time, and the costs were expensive.
In Nairobi, a lively beauty scene has been discovered, featuring convenient salons, adaptable scheduling, and reasonable costs. Whether it's braiding, nail care, or skin treatments, a wide range of services is offered at competitive rates.
There is a vibrant beauty industry here," she states. "And it doesn't seem like a luxury, it feels routine and easy to reach.
3. Consuming nutritious and organically grown food
Back in the United States, Saidah mentions that maintaining a healthy diet often carried a social stigma. However, in Nairobi, fresh fruits and vegetables are plentiful and cost-effective.
she points out, organic food can seem like a symbol of status in the United States due to its high cost in comparison to genetically modified alternatives.
Outdoor markets are filled with fresh seasonal produce and fruits, with locally grown food being a common item rather than something rare. This change has influenced the couple's perspective on health and daily living.
Fresh food is standard," she states. "It isn't even presented as something unique.
4. Eating out without spending too much
Eating out is no longer primarily about the cost. Whether it's casual dining spots or upscale restaurants, they claim Nairobi's hospitality industry provides a wide range of options without the steep expense.
Hailing from a nation where dining out requires careful preparation, they are appreciating the ease of going out without spending excessively.
In the US, dining out meant checking your bank account first," Jermaine says with a chuckle. "What we'd spend more than 400 dollars on there costs around 150 here.
The distinction has enabled them to partake in social activities more effortlessly, without the ongoing stress of planning finances for each event.
5. Leading a life of high quality
Having spent most of their lives in the United States, they were surprised to discover that leading a fulfilling life in Kenya is cost-effective.
From food and bills to fun and relaxation, everyday costs are much reduced, enabling them to experience more without the money worries they previously had.
"It's pleasant to notice that comfort, ease, and way of living don't necessarily require a significant cost," Jermaine states.
In addition to cost and ease, the couple acknowledges that residing in Kenya changed their perspective on global media portrayals of Africa.
They promote the pursuit of well-rounded information and, whenever feasible, direct personal experience rather than solely depending on news snippets.
Residing here changed the way we perceive Africa," Jermaine mentions. "You understand there's a lot of complexity that isn't portrayed. Visit and experience it for yourself.
Other lessons from Kenya
For Saidah and Jermaine, what started as a move has evolved into a new understanding of life quality, where cost-effectiveness, ease of access, and neighborhood connections come together in unexpected ways.
As per the couple, one of the most significant lessons they gained was the value many Kenyans attach to history and ancestral heritage.
They have since discovered that comprehending tribal identity and generational heritage provides individuals with a deep feeling of connection and purpose in life.
Unlike the US culture, which is more focused on individualism, they noticed how community members frequently unite to assist each other in areas such as education, business opportunities, and personal difficulties.
A American couple discovers their ideal school in Kenya
The couple's tale is similar to that of Doreen Selly and her husband, Anthony Dale, who left their lives in Maryland andrelocated their family to Kenya in July 2025.
What they hadn't anticipated was how swiftly that choice would turn into one they later take pride in, and wish they had made sooner.
It started when they began looking for an educational setting that would more effectively foster their children's development, particularly their 14-year-old son AJ.
Prior to departing, AJ's schoolmates and neighbors teased him, claiming that Kenya lacked "electricity or running water" and that he would find it hard to adapt.
But those worries disappeared the instant the family toured Brookhouse School in Nairobi, as they discovered the structure and balance the teenager required, along with a caring community and many teachers and staff members ready to assist him.
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