If you are one of those foreigners who are intending to relocate to Dhaka but are quite unsure of what to do, we are here to calm your jittery nerves. When moving to a new city, obviously you have to consider the location based on safety, community, nearby conveniences, price, transportation and other factors. This article will act as your one stop guide to finding the best places in Dhaka where you can enjoy working as a foreigner.
Gulshan
According to a survey conducted by the American firm Mercer in 2019, Dhaka is the 47th most expensive city in the world to live in, tied with Paris. If price is not a matter of concern for you, then Gulshan is the best place for you! This area was strictly built for diplomatic purposes, so you can expect enhanced safety and security and foreigner-specific features here. You will find a large number of embassies, foreign communities, international schools, world-class hotels, restaurants, and recreational clubs here. You may get expat friendly, fully furnished apartments readily available for rent here. Ask anyone, and they will tell you that Gulshan is the best place for expatriates.
Baridhara
Baridhara was developed for defense officers, so the place is very orderly, well-maintained, peaceful, and more rigidly residential compared to Gulshan. Round the clock security and homes similar to those in Gulshan are also found here, but the environment is way quieter. Baridhara and Gulshan are separated by a lake, which means you can easily reap the benefits provided by the commercial areas of Gulshan and also live in the serene neighborhoods of Baridhara.
Banani
If you are looking for a high-end but vibrant lifestyle, Banani is the best option for you. It is slightly cheaper compared to Banani and Baridhara, perhaps because it is less restricted and more friendly for local commercial purposes. You will find yourself surrounded by offices, shops, restaurants, and banks intertwined with gorgeous residential buildings here. While Baridhara is on the east of Gulshan, Banani is on the west, so you will not miss out on Gulshan or Baridhara anyways.
Bashundhara
Are you planning to stay in Dhaka long term? Then Bashundhara is your go-to residential area. With the airport, Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara just a few minutes away, this is a top choice of expatriates, who particularly require everything in one place. Not only will you get gorgeous homes, you will also get access to great universities, schools, grocery stores, restaurants, banks, offices, hospitals, and shopping malls, all in one place. Such convenience and affordable lifestyle makes Bashundhara one of the most popular choices amongst Dhaka citizens.
Uttara
Uttara is the fastest growing suburb in Dhaka. It is also very close to the airport. So if you are a frequent traveler, you can avoid unnecessary traffic by living here. The homes are super affordable, the roads are quiet, the neighborhoods are serene. Also, you will get schools, shopping malls, banks, offices, daycare and all kinds of facilities here. You can easily head to the resorts of Gazipur in your leisure time. You will face difficulties commuting to other areas of Dhaka due to the distance, but other than that, Uttara is a truly amazing place to live.
Dhaka is a fast growing, ever developing city. As the economy of Bangladesh grows at a rapid pace, Dhaka city is also seeing a greater influx of expatriates, and this growth will continue. You might find yourself a beautiful home even outside the mentioned areas. So feel free to check out other locations as well.
