Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria since 1991, is one of the few properly planned capital cities in Africa. With its beautiful modern parks, architectural designs, and monumental buildings, Abuja is indeed a worthy capital city of Nigeria. Abuja has been aptly tagged the “centre of unity” due to its physical central position in the country and lack of ethnic and religious differences.
The city has an estimated population 6
million people, making it Nigeria’s 4th largest city. Bordered to the North by
Kaduna State, to the South-East by Nasarrawa State, to the South-West by Kogi
State and to the West by Niger State.
With
its good weather, beautiful landscape and many job opportunities, one can argue
that Abuja is
one of the best cities not just in Africa, but globally.
Abuja can be cheap or expensive
(depending on your lifestyle), it’s close to other great international
destinations (London, Paris, Dubai, Johannesburg, Nairobi etc.) and is a cosmopolitan
city. Hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants, malls, leisure centers: if you can
imagine it, you’ll likely find it here.
Abuja is big; it would be a mistake
to think of it as a city with one personality. Instead, Abuja is a city of many
different parts, offering a variety of different lifestyles for its teeming
residents. From urban districts full of life like Wuse, to quiet green places
littered with mansions like Jabi.
For
those moving to Abuja ,
it takes some consideration to decide what part of Nigeria’s capital is best
for you. In this write-up we shall break down some of the best places to live
in Abuja (in no particular order).
Rychado homes is an Abuja estate agent. If you are looking for a house, land or commercial property, to buy — visit our property or land listing @rychadohomes.com.ng.
Maitama
When
it comes to the best places to live in Abuja the list will never be complete
without at least mentioning Maitama. Maitama is a high-end neighborhood, located in phase 1 of the Federal Capital
Territory (FCT), playing host to the rich and famous from across Nigeria.
Good
roads, tranquility, luxury homes and
security are some of the things this district offers, among other amenities.
However, all these goodies do come at a cost, with Maitama being one of the
most expensive places to buy real estate and reside in Africa.
Asokoro
Asokoro is
one of the most high-class districts in Nigeria. The place speaks affluence and
luxury. Big roads, big cars, big houses and beauty are some of the things you
will notice in Asokoro.
Real estate in Asokoro is arguably
the most expensive in Nigeria. As a result, living here requires one to have
very deep pockets. Having said this, if you do have the money, there’s no need
to look further as Asokoro has it all.
Jabi
Jabi can
be considered the younger brother of Maitama and Asokoro, not quite as
expensive to live in, but with pretty much all the benefits of residing in those
two places.
It
is among the greenest neighborhoods in the capital, with large green open
spaces and tree lined streets being prominent features. It is also well
located, being close to all the happening places in Abuja from Wuse to Gwarinpa
to the Central Business District
Nearly
all the amenities one would require can be found in Jabi: schools, banks,
plazas, restaurants and hotels. For example, there’s the Utako Market
(for buying groceries), Jabi Lake (for outdoor recreational activities), Jabi
Mall (for all your shopping needs) and the Jabi Motor Park (to travel out of
town).
If you can afford it, Jabi is a
wonderful place to take up residence, particularly for those with a family.
Gwarinpa
Gwarinpa is
a densely populated district with both residential and commercial parts. It is
known as “the city within the city” mainly due to the fact that Gwarinpa has
everything needed to live comfortably, without ever having to leave the
district’s boundaries.
It is located just 20 minutes away
from the city center and boasts of infrastructure that matches anywhere else in
the city. When you add this to the fact that Gwarinpa is not as expensive as
places like Asokoro or Maitama, you can start to see why this is a popular
place to live in Abuja.
Katampe
Katampe is a developing phase 2 district
of Abuja city. Here you will find the katampe Hill; a rocky outcrop that serves
as one of the highest points in the capital and the geographic midpoint of the
nation. This naturally hilly topography allows for some of the most beautiful
panoramic views of the FCT. The district is made up of two parts namely katampe:
‘Main’ (in the south) and ‘Extension’ (in the North)
The district is strategically
located near both inner and outer neighborhoods of Abuja. Katampe main and
extension are split by Murtala Mohammed Expressway. Adjacent areas include: Dawaki,
Gwarinpa, Jahi, Kado, Mabushi, Maitama and Mpape.
Living in the neighborhood will mean
living in a haven removed from the bustling inner Abuja area. There is a wide
selection of property types including flats, terraced duplexes and mansion. Many
of these buildings have impressive modern architecture that have attracted a cosmopolitan
community.
Accommodation costs in the district
tend to be on the high side, given its location near the exclusive Maitama neighborhood.
However, prices do vary depending on exactly where in the district you are
looking at
Wuse
The
liveliest district in Abuja: Wuse is
the place people go to flex and relax in Abuja.
The district is packed with
restaurants, hotels and clubs and as a result the neighborhood never really
sleeps. The nightlife here is second to none. Therefore, it’s a well liked
place by the younger generation. Living in Wuse is no less expensive than
settling in other central areas, so if living costs are an issue you might do
well to look elsewhere.
Lokogoma
Lokogoma is
a much newer district that is still establishing. The neighborhood has
experienced rapid growth in the past 10 years, as people have trooped into
Abuja. Lokogoma has all the basic amenities one could need to start a new life
in the city.
The districts popularity stems from
the fact that it offers an excellent balance of quality of life and
affordability. Living in Lokogoma, you can enjoy all the delights of living in
the city without the costs of residing in more central areas like Wuse.
Therefore, if it’s value for money
you are seeking, then Lokogoma offers this in abundance.
Jahi
Jahi is a
developing district, nestled between Katampe and
Gwarinpa, with lots of potential. It boasts of an excellent location, only 15
or so minutes away from the Central Area. Currently, it is among the best
places to invest in Abuja and hence is also one of the best places to live.
Due to its developing nature, for a
phase 2 neighborhood, real estate here is moderately priced. However, with
earmarked governmental infrastructure works commencing soon, prices are almost
certain to rise. Therefore, buy while you still can.
Apo
Apo is a residential area with some complimentary commercial activity. It is among the fastest developing districts in the FCT.
Due to significant investment and
the accompanying decent level of infrastructure, Apo has become a popular place
to reside for many. A number of top notch housing estates are sited in and
around the area, together with a number of beautiful parks.
Apo is a great place to raise a
family due to the number of amenities located nearby. Luxury accommodation can
be found here as well as more budget housing.
Life
Camp
Life camp is
a leafy, easily accessible and upmarket area of Abuja phase 3. It is a suburban
neighborhood with all the qualities families would look for in an area.
The neighborhood hosts the official
residence of the FCT Minister and houses some of the most contemporary and
expensive homes in the city.
There are a number of highways in
the vicinity, linking you to numerous parts of Abuja. You can get to the most
central part of the city in under 15 minutes, thus given you the best of both
suburban and urban life.
Lugbe
If
you’re looking for the best place to live in Abuja on a budget, Lugbe is
a strong contender.
It is for this reason that Lugbe’s
population has grown considerably in the last few years. Its proximity to the
city center (less than half an hour away) as well as the airport has attracted
considerable investment into the area.
Today in Lugbe, you will find all
the basic goods and services one requires to live comfortably. But, perhaps
most importantly, you will find these goods and services at affordable prices.
Dawaki
For
those in need of a good place to live, close to the center of town but without
the high property prices, then Dawaki is
a good choice.
Dawaki sits along the Kubwa-Gwarinpa
expressway and is a short distance from Katampe Extension (diplomatic zone).
The main drawback to living in Dawaki, is that it is not yet fully established.
As such, the infrastructure present may not be as good as some of the other
places mentioned.
Having said this, real estate here
is relatively cheap. Accordingly, you should be able to find a decent home to
live in at a modest price.
Ready
to pick? Rychado homes can help you get a home anywhere in Abuja. Contact us for
more information: 08148980590
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