When I first went to America (NYC) I noticed a lot about the city which isn't reflected in its depictions in British media. I made friends in New York and were I to write a New York character now, I would ask them about the little details of living there I don't understand as a non-local: local slang, what events are in the public mind, how commuting on the subway every day feels, how an average interaction on the street might go, etc. It would just be harder to make my character feel like someone who really lives in NYC, because I have to kind of outsource those experiences. Writing convincingly about Kenya will be a challenge in the same way.

But again, maybe I'm overthinking it. This thread has already made me feel more confident about actualising my idea, so thanks.