Thinking of relocating to Abuja ? With Abuja steadily becoming the most sought after city in Nigeria next to Lagos, it is estimated that about 100 new people move into Abuja every day. While everyone is talking about Abuja, it is easy to get caught up in the euphoria without having the right information before moving to Abuja.
Moving to Abuja is a hot topic that has its pros and cons. But, what makes Abuja more desirable than other big Nigerian cities like Port-Harcourt, Ibadan, Kaduna or Kano?
The truth is, Abuja’s appeal is not new. A brief walk back in time will make you understand that Abuja was made to stand out since its creation. Created in 1991,the idea was born out of moving the federal capital territory into a more central location. As years went by, Abuja soon became the hub for government, industrial and commercial activities. By 2010, Abuja had already grown to a population of 1 million.Abuja’s 2023 population is now estimated at 3.8 million inhabitants.
Abuja is a beautiful city that attracts people from all walks of life. It’s also one of the fastest growing cities in Nigeria. Maybe the fact that Abuja is a safe, well planned and organized city is what makes it very desirable to most Nigerians.It isn’t just government activities that have made this city great. Many people settle in Abuja because of its status as the federal capital territory.Ask anyone living in Abuja and they’ll tell you they can’t trade living in the city for anywhere else in Nigeria.
If you are about to make Abuja your new home, or you’re just considering it, this guide will provide you with the relevant information you need about relocating to Abuja.
Things to Know before relocating to Abuja
Affordable (sh)
While Abuja is known to have one of the most expensive housing markets in the country, there are still lots of affordable options in good neighbourhoods in the city. If you don’t mind a long commute to and from your place of work, you might want to move to the satellite towns rather than living in the city proper. Areas like Jikwoyi, Kubwa, Mararaba (on Nasarawa state border) can provide more affordable options. Bear in mind that this means higher cost of transportation.
Transportation
It is true that you’ll find classy people and luxury cars in Abuja. However, contrary to the belief of most Nigerians, you can live and work in Abuja without owning your own car.
Although most Abuja residents use cars to get around the city, the commercial transport system is fairly cheap and available in every part of the city. There are options of public transport that gives you the freedom to go with whichever you want.
As a resident of Abuja, you can take advantage of buses that ply as far as 30km for 300 to 400naira(was way cheaper before subsidy removal). You have buses going to and fro Abuja to Maraba-AYA-Nyanya ( this is for those who live on the outskirts of the city)
The tricycle popularly called Keke is available in most areas in Abuja for easy transportation. While Okada is banned within the city metropolis, they are still available in certain areas making it possible to get around easily.
Lastly, the taxi. Compared to Lagos, taxis are quite cheaper. To take a taxi , there are two options available to you. You can either take “drop” or “along”. While “along” has a fixed price, the cost of “drop” will depend on your negotiating power ( don’t worry you’ll get used to the lingua when you get here).
The city is also pedestrian friendly; You can walk comfortably on the sidewalks in areas like CBD to wuse II
Traffic
If you lived in other big cities in Nigeria like Lagos or Port Harcourt, you’ve most likely being faced with the problem of long hours in traffic.
In Abuja , it’s almost none existent except during rush hour in the morning on the outskirts of the city and at closing time around the central business district.Unlike Lagos where you’ll always need to add the hours in traffic to your commute time.
Always be Classy
Believe it or not, the city influences you in many ways than you can imagine. Abuja is the city of dreams for most people; they say a single contract in Abuja can change your life. While this can be true, most people like to look and act the part. Hailing an Uber or taxify for a business meeting (if you don’t have a car), looking well dressed all the time, being a member of a golf or country club etc. These are all part of “looking the part “. People have lost contracts, big business deals or even worse turned back at the entrance simply because they didn’t look the part.
The city makes you build a persona of a classy and refined person. Unlike Lagos where you have to act like an agbero to survive in most areas, Abuja is a lot different – classy rules.
Weather
The weather in Abuja can be a bit extreme. If you’re from the south and you’re used to the cool weather of the south, it might take a while to get used to the Abuja weather. However, for someone used the extreme weather of the north, a move to Abuja will feel no different.
It can get really hot during the dry season in Abuja, but this doesn’t mean you’ll have to hide in air conditioning for several hours of the day. Most estates have made it a priority to plant trees which helps to cool down the temperature.
There are thousands of things to do in Abuja
Life in Abuja is a blend of different people, culture and a modern city lifestyle. What makes Abuja an ideal place to live is the various people you meet from different cultural backgrounds, the endless list of places to go and things to see and do.
Night Life
The Night life may not be as bubbly as Lagos, but you can rest assured that the city has an endless list to keep you all through the night. The best night clubs , street bars, gentlemen clubs and hotels in the country are located in the city. So if you’re a lover of the night life, know that the city has got you covered.
While all these may not be enough to convince you to make that move to Abuja, it can be a starting point. You can join Abuja related groups on Facebook. Follow related hashtags on twitter and Instagram to see what people are saying about the city. From there you’ll be able to decide if the move is right for you.