Karen is one of the oldest residential areas offering a blend of cozy colonial bungalows and villas on gorgeous and expansive grounds. Karen offers a rich cultural and historical background evidenced in sites such the Bomas of Kenya and Karen Blixen Museum as well as wildlife parks including Nairobi National park, national animal orphanage, Sheldricks home, Ostrich Park, Giraffe Park and Manor as well as the scenic Ngong hills in close proximity.
Entertainment and shopping areas include Crossroads Shopping Mall (housing Nakumatt Supermarkets), Karen shopping centre, Karen country club, Carnivore and Splash. For horse racing, Jockey Club of Kenya is in the vicinity.
Hillcrest, Brookhouse and Banda Schools are all private schools which provide all round high school education based on an international curriculums. The Karen Hospital is a modern medical facility that serves the area.
Karen's character preservation is largely attributed to the Karen Langata District Association (KLDA) which monitors development and maintenance of this suburb by working closely with government authorities in preparing and implementing development plans for the area.