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Where to live in Dar-es-salaam
Most of us judge each other based on how we look, where we work, who our friends are, and even where we live. As a result, different residential areas in Dar es Salaam have gained unique stereotypes that greatly influence peoples decisions to live there. For instance, if you are familiar with Dar neighborhoods and meet someone who lives on Mwaya Road in Masaki, you’ll probably think that they are wealthy, foreign educated, and possibly snobby. However, while Masaki is an area with many expats, diplomats and high-income earning Tanzanians, there are people from all socio-economic backgrounds that live in the area – but the ‘posh’ reputation still persists.
Reputation matters
The reputation of a neighborhood will affect the housing and renting prices, and influence your options when you are trying to find a place to live. For example, with Masaki because the neighborhood is considered posh, it’s becoming incredibly expensive to live there, and less and less middle-income earners can afford rent. While more and more rich and ‘bougie’ people want to move in.
So instead of believing stereotypes, we asked different Dar-es-salaam residents to share with us what they know about certain neighborhoods in Dar es Salaam. Here’s what they had to say:
Dar-es-salaam City location
Best Neighborhoods in Dar es Salaam
1. Masaki/Oysterbay
Demographic
- Affluent/posh area of Dar es Salaam
- For wealthy/affluent people
- High expat population
- Many ambassadors & high ranking foreign missions staff reside here
Lifestyle
- Many ‘Posh’ restaurants of different cuisine including local, Italian, Thai, Chinese, continental, bakeries/café’s
- Many up-market bars/lounge options with average local beer cost of TZS 5000 & food TZS 10,000
- Expensive costs of living (schools, shopping, hospitals etc)
- English is spoken almost as much as Swahili in the area
- Security personnel @ homes and businesses is commonplace
- Cars
- Luxurious sedans/saloons
- 4wd SUVs
- Pick-up trucks
- Streets & neighborhood more planned than most DSM areas
Housing
- Avg 2-bedroom apt rent
- $1500 unfurnished
- $2500/$3000 fully furnished
2. Mikocheni
Demographic
- Central to south/north/east/west of Dar es Salaam; highly accessible
- Increasing in inhabitants and in popularity as a residence for mid-high income earners
Lifestyle
- A step below Masaki/Oysterbay regarding living expenses
- Avg drinks price @ a high end bar = TZS 4000
- Avg meal cost = TZS 7000 / TZS 8000
- More local-semi local bars/restaurants than high-end bars/restaurants
- More company offices than in Masaki/Oysterbay; more commercial in this respect
- High number of retail shops
- Major road passing through connecting it to North & South Dar es Salaam (Mwai Kibaki road)
- High traffic during peak hours (caused by the conduit that is old Bagamoyo road)
- Streets are generally planned between residential and non residential areas
- Generally safe location to live in with rare occurrences of crime
Housing
- Avg 2-bedroom apt rent
- TZS 3,000,000 (unfurnished);
- TZS 5, 500,000 fully furnished
- Increase of apartments blocks being built
3. Bahari Beach
Demographic
- Predominantly residential
- Both young & old family homes
- Mid-high income earners
- Mid – senior managers
- Retirees, pensioners
- Expats
Lifestlye
- Not congested but noticeable increase in residents, leading to an increase in cars, shops, eating options, and public transport services
- Public transport
- Buses now reach ‘Ununio village’, arguably the ‘border’ of Bahari beach & Bunju
- Bodaboda & bajaji options are also readily available
- Car ownership is ideal due distance from more prominent/active urban areas
- Safe area with very low crime rate
Housing
- Large plots, often expensive
- Price of land has doubled over last 8 yrs
- Avg price of 2-bedroom house/apartment (rent)
- TZS 500,000 – 700,000 (non-furnished); TZS 1,500,000 for furnished
4. Tegeta
Demographic
- Mostly families and retired couples who are able to afford large plots and don’t need to frequently commute to downtown
- Increasing number of young professionals and small business owners who are looking for affordable yet quality housing
Lifestlye
- Attributes are similar to Bahari Beach apart from:
- More congested and accessible to areas with new Bagamoyo road running through it and Twiga cement factory within its vicinity
- More traffic
- More commercial
- Banks (akiba, crdb, nbc)
- Offices
- Shopping centers
- Shops
Housing
- More availability of lower cost housing; more low-income earners
- Avg price of house/apartment (rent)
- TZS 400,000 – 600,000 (non-furnished); TZS 1,500,000 for furnished
- Lower cost housing options from TZS 200,000 – 400,000 in Tegeta compared to Bahari Beach
Demographics
- Mid-high level income earners
Lifestyle
- Increase in inhabitants as seen through increase in:
- Social entertainment (bars/restaurants)
- Supermarkets
- Alcohol sellers
- Home appliance stores
- ATMs
- Information transportation (bajajis & motorbikes)
- Secure; relatively low crime rate
- High car ownership, leading to increased fuel needs resulting in more fueling stations in the area
- Recreational options are on the increase.
Housing
- Mostly residential; The last 2 years have seen an increase in offices in the area
- Planned & unplanned residential areas
- Apartment buildings are on the increase
- Avg price of 3-bedroom house/apartment (rent)
- TZS 2,100,000 (non-furnished); TZS 1,500,000 for furnished
- Lower cost housing options from TZS 200,000 – 400,000 in Tegeta
6. Msasani
Demographic
- Low – high income earners
Lifestyle
- Narrow streets & ‘alternative routes’ that pass through the area.
- Many small retail shops, with some semi local eateries (Arizona, BBQ village)
- Mixed types inhabitants
- Young and old Families
- Bachelors/bachelorettes
Housing
- High-end to low-end housing (often in close proximity) ranging from TZS 400,000 to TZS 2,500,000
- Cramped, unplanned
- Both residential and commercial
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