Tigoni, a satellite town located in Kiambu County, Kenya, is rapidly becoming a hotspot for real estate development.
With its lush landscapes, cool climate, and convenient proximity to Nairobi, Tigoni has caught the attention of wealthy individuals seeking privacy, nature, and a high-quality lifestyle.
In this article, we will look into the factors driving Tigoni’s growth, explore the rising property prices, and highlight the town’s unique appeal to both local and international buyers.
Over the past few years, Tigoni has experienced remarkable growth in the real estate sector.
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The town, once known for its colonial-era White Highlands, has transformed into a prime investment destination.
Tigoni’s appeal lies in its expansive tea and coffee farms, fertile soil, and abundant rainfall.
“All thanks to the fertile agricultural soils and plentiful rainfall, the area produces some incredible dairy products, meat and vegetables, sold at many specialist local farm shops,” read Knight Frank’s wealthy reports.
Improved infrastructure, including the main highway connecting Tigoni to Nairobi’s central business district, has played a pivotal role in Tigoni’s rise.
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“Tigoni has had a lot of infrastructural developments in the last couple of years and as Karen became more gentrified, it has more development going in, everyone who was very keen on the countryside lifestyle started moving to Tigoni,” said Sakina Hassanali, head of development consulting and research at HassConsult.
The reduced commute time of less than one hour has made it an attractive option for those seeking a rural haven with clean air.
“The 2020 pandemic strengthened the appeal of Tigoni’s rural setting and clean fresh air and contributed to its emergence as an exclusive countryside address that was still easily commutable,” added Knight Frank’s report.
The Desirable Tigoni Lifestyle
Tigoni offers a unique blend of nature, privacy, and an “English feel” that has captivated both local and international buyers.
Expatriates, in particular, are drawn to the town’s countryside setting, allowing them to experience the Kenyan way of life while still being connected to their work in diplomatic zones.
“Expatriates are finding Tigoni a very ripe location because they get town work in the UN but commute to Tigoni in nature and have the African experience. This is because, in the west, they [the expats] are not used to the commute, as most of them work very close to where they live.” said Sakina Hassanali, head of development consulting and research at HassConsult.
Tigoni’s charm lies in its picturesque landscapes, including perfectly-manicured gardens, tea plantations, rivers, and forests.
Apart from its natural beauty, Tigoni boasts a good school district, with institutions like Woodland Star International School in Brackenhurst Tigoni offering quality education based on an American STEM curriculum.
Rising Property Prices
Tigoni’s real estate market has witnessed a significant surge in property prices.
According to the Property Index published by Hass Consult in the fourth quarter of 2022, house prices in Tigoni rose by 6.8 percent throughout the year.
The Land Index also highlighted Tigoni as a prominent area for land advertisements in 2022, with land prices averaging sh29.3 million per acre.
The increasing demand for properties in Tigoni has driven up both house and land prices.
Real estate agents report that house prices in Tigoni can range from as low as Sh20 million to as high as Sh50 million, depending on the size and location of the property.
The town has become a preferred choice for high-net-worth individuals seeking exclusive countryside homes away from the hustle and bustle of Nairobi.
According to Knight Frank’s wealth report in 2021, wealthy individuals in Kenya were choosing to move away from neighborhoods like Kileleshwa, Runda, and Kitisuru in Nairobi, and instead opting for Tigoni due to the desire for increased privacy, larger outdoor spaces, and more competitive prices.
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The report indicated that the main reasons behind this significant shift from Runda and Kileleshwa were the need for privacy, expansive outdoor areas, and the availability of properties at comparatively lower prices in Tigoni.