They Left America, Sold Their Land in Gambia & Started Over in Kenya
Webnation.
18,013 views
Samal and Jessica thought The Gambia would be their new home. They had even bought land there. Then they visited Kenya—and after just one week, they began rethinking their entire plan.
In this Webnation Africa episode, the couple share why they sold their land in The Gambia and chose to build a life in Diani, on Kenya’s coast. They take us through their art space, Art Shop Artisans, and explain how the move gave them more time to create, connect with their community, and enjoy daily life.
They also discuss the practical side of relocating to Kenya, including their reported $260 monthly rent for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment near the beach. That figure describes their own home and circumstances, not a typical rental price across Kenya.
Was their change of plans a leap of faith or the result of finally finding the place that felt like home? Watch their story and tell us what you think in the comments.
Subscribe to Webnation Africa for firsthand stories about relocation, entrepreneurship, and life across the continent.
Guest Info: Samal- IG @Artshop_cafe
YT- The Artists’ Journal
Website- ArtshopArtisans.bigcartel.com
Jessica- IG @artbyj.loren/
website- https://artbyjloren.com
Almasi Art Agency- IG Almasi.art.agency
Chapters:
00:00 They bought land in The Gambia—then chose Kenya
01:41 Meet Samal and Jessica in Diani
02:53 Why one week in Kenya changed their plans
03:40 Why the Kenyan coast felt like home
05:15 Inside their art gallery
07:26 Building Art Shop Artisans
09:31 The misconceptions they heard about Africa
12:09 Meet the artists and tour the workspace
14:16 Community and daily life in Diani
20:07 The adjustments they’ve had to make
21:40 Why getting their time back matters most
23:07 What led them to leave America
25:10 The financial lesson from Tanzania
26:57 Their monthly costs, including $260 rent
28:41 Their plans for a home, farm, and larger art space
30:59 What their new life means to them
Join out Ghana trip : https://webnationtraveltour.squadtrip...
For business inquiries and collaborations, reach us at webnation@agecreators.com
Or webnationafrica@gmail.com
For enquiries about our trips email , info@webnationtraveltour.com
Let me know if you're okay with adding this!
Join our waitlist : https://mailchi.mp/a549363e9c39/webna...
#Kenya #DianiBeach #MovingToKenya #BlackExpats #WebnationAfrica
20 Comments
If down in Diani, very welcome to visit 💜💫
They Left America, Sold Their Land in Gambia & Started Over in Kenya
Webnation.
18,013 views
Samal and Jessica thought The Gambia would be their new home. They had even bought land there. Then they visited Kenya—and after just one week, they began rethinking their entire plan.
In this Webnation Africa episode, the couple share why they sold their land in The Gambia and chose to build a life in Diani, on Kenya’s coast. They take us through their art space, Art Shop Artisans, and explain how the move gave them more time to create, connect with their community, and enjoy daily life.
They also discuss the practical side of relocating to Kenya, including their reported $260 monthly rent for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment near the beach. That figure describes their own home and circumstances, not a typical rental price across Kenya.
Was their change of plans a leap of faith or the result of finally finding the place that felt like home? Watch their story and tell us what you think in the comments.
Subscribe to Webnation Africa for firsthand stories about relocation, entrepreneurship, and life across the continent.
Guest Info: Samal- IG @Artshop_cafe
YT- The Artists’ Journal
Website- ArtshopArtisans.bigcartel.com
Jessica- IG @artbyj.loren/
website- https://artbyjloren.com
Almasi Art Agency- IG Almasi.art.agency
Chapters:
00:00 They bought land in The Gambia—then chose Kenya
01:41 Meet Samal and Jessica in Diani
02:53 Why one week in Kenya changed their plans
03:40 Why the Kenyan coast felt like home
05:15 Inside their art gallery
07:26 Building Art Shop Artisans
09:31 The misconceptions they heard about Africa
12:09 Meet the artists and tour the workspace
14:16 Community and daily life in Diani
20:07 The adjustments they’ve had to make
21:40 Why getting their time back matters most
23:07 What led them to leave America
25:10 The financial lesson from Tanzania
26:57 Their monthly costs, including $260 rent
28:41 Their plans for a home, farm, and larger art space
30:59 What their new life means to them
Join out Ghana trip : https://webnationtraveltour.squadtrip...
For business inquiries and collaborations, reach us at webnation@agecreators.com
Or webnationafrica@gmail.com
For enquiries about our trips email , info@webnationtraveltour.com
Let me know if you're okay with adding this!
Join our waitlist : https://mailchi.mp/a549363e9c39/webna...
#Kenya #DianiBeach #MovingToKenya #BlackExpats #WebnationAfrica