Housing

Foreigners cannot own land freehold. All land in Tanzania belongs to the state. You can acquire a 'Right of Occupancy' (33–99 year lease) through the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC). In practice, most expats rent. In Zanzibar, similar land lease arrangements exist through ZIPA for investors.

Landlords often request 3–6 months upfront because eviction is difficult under Tanzanian law and many properties are individually owned. Negotiate firmly - 2 months deposit plus 1 month advance rent is a reasonable target. Having a local contact vouch for you can help reduce the deposit requirement.

Masaki/Oyster Bay is walkable to embassies, restaurants, and The Slipway - ideal for singles and couples wanting social life and ocean proximity. Mikocheni is 15–20 minutes inland, has more space for families, and is 30–50% cheaper. Choose Masaki for lifestyle, Mikocheni for value.

Electricity: Dar has improved significantly but outages (TANESCO) still occur - a UPS/inverter ($200–$500) is recommended. Water: piped supply can be inconsistent; many houses have tanks. Internet: fiber in Dar is good (30–50 Mbps); Zanzibar relies more on 4G and Starlink.

Zanzibar wins for lifestyle - beaches, culture, affordability, and a growing nomad community. Dar wins for infrastructure - faster internet, better healthcare, more coworking options, and reliable power. Many nomads split time between both - Dar for focused work weeks, Zanzibar for creative inspiration.