The 10 Best Neighborhoods To Stay In Abuja

Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria, one of the youngest city but the fastest developing in Africa. Abuja provides her residents and visitors with the most glamorous and happening nightlife, the city also offers residents and visitors with unique and amazing attractions, ranging from Rocks, Hills, Lakes, festivals, modern architectures and so on. Abuja’s geography is defined by Aso Rock, a 400-metre monolith left by water erosion. The Presidential Complex, National Assembly, Supreme Court and much of the city extend to the south of the rock. Zuma Rock, a 792-metre monolith, that lies just north of the city on the road to Kaduna State.

For those considering to relocate to Abuja, I know some of the question you might be asking yourself is -Where should I stay? Where is the safest? and so on.

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Below Are Some Of  The Best Neighborhoods To Stay In Abuja

1. Asokoro:

Asokoro is one of the major districts and the most popular Neighborhood in Abuja. Located east of Garki and south of Central District, Asokoro houses all of the state’s lodges/guest houses in the City. It is one of the most exclusive districts of Abuja and houses virtually all of the federal cabinet ministers as well as most of the diplomatic community in the city. Asokoro is a high class neighborhood and the most secure in the city.

2. Maitama:

Maitama is an upscale Neighborhood in Abuja, It is home to most embassies and high commissions in the city as well as the most expensive hotels. Maitama is to the north of the city, with Wuse and Central Districts lying to its southwest and southeast respectively. Maitama is an exclusive and expensive Neighborhood where the city high class and top politicians live. You’ll find a ton of wonderful restaurants, food markets, malls, hotels, and nightlife here. some of he major places in Maitama includes the: Millennium Park, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, The British High Commission, Sarius Palmetum, Maitama Amusement Park, Maitama Fruit Market, Maitama District Hospital and others.

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3. Garki:

Garki is the oldest neighborhood in the city, It is located in the southwest corner of the city, having the Central District to the north and the Asokoro District to the east. Garki is subdivided into units called “Areas”. Garki is presently the principal business district of Abuja. Numerous buildings of interest are located in this area. Some of them include the General Post Office, Abuja International Conference Centre located on Herbert Macaulay Way, Nicon Luxury Hotel, Agura Hotel and the Old Federal Secretariat Complex Buildings (Area 1). Hawthorn Suites Abuja is also located in Garki II. Area 2 is mainly used for residential purposes, although a zoological garden as well as the Garki Shopping Centre are located in Area 2. Banks and other commercial offices are located on Moshood Abiola Way in Area 7. The Army Headquarters, Air force Headquarters and Navy Headquarters are all located in Garki. Two Major markets in  Garki are the Garki Market and the Garki Morden Market.

4. Gwarimpa:

Gwarimpa is one of the most popular residential district in Abuja acclaimed to have the biggest housing estate in West Africa ”the Gwarinpa Housing Estate”. Gwarinpa is about 15 minutes drive from the Central business district. It can be accessed through Murtala Mohammed Expressway (to Kubwa, Suleja & Kaduna) or from Ahmadu Bello way (Through Wuse 2). It is about 20Km from the Abuja Airport. Gwarinpa is mainly a residential area though recently some businesses especially service oriented businesses like banks and eateries are springing up very rapidly. Within the Gwarinpa Estate, there are also some small estates. These include Federal ministry of works and housing Estate, War College Estate, FHA Estate, Citec villas, Abuja Model City etc.

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5. Wuse:

Wuse is one of the districts in the city of Abuja. Wuse is more or a commercial than a residential area, although some part are mainly residential. Wuse district is divided into zones (Zones 1 – 7). There is also Wuse II which is different from Wuse Zone 2. Notable places in Wuse include Wuse Market, AP Plaza, Banex plazas, Emab Plaza, Wuse market, General Post office, FRSC, NAFDAC, FERMA, Sheraton Hotel, Rockview Hotel, SilverBird Cinema, EFCC and AGIS. Wuse II is very close to Maitama and also share its exclusivity.

6. Apo:

Apo is a fast developing Neighborhood Within the Federal Capital Territory of abuja. Apo is mainly a residential neighborhood with pockets of secluded gated environments and residential estates.  Apo is about 15 minutes drive to the National Stadium and 25 minutes to the International Airport. The vicinity is calm and serene and serviced with good road network, water, power and other public utilities. For visitors who wish to stay in this neighborhood upon their visit to Abuja, there are pockets of hotels with good facilities in the neighborhood with lots of gardens and parks for relaxation.

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7. Jabi:

Just like Utako, Jabi  is a residential as well as a Commercial Neighborhood in Abuja. Jabi District is adjacent to Utako District. Jabi is about 13 minutes drive from the Central business district and about 30 minutes from the Abuja airport. The major roads that transverse Jabi are the Obafemi Awolowo Way, Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway and Alex Ekwueme Street. Jabi is famous for its Lake, the Jabi Lake as well as the the Jabi lake park and the Jabi Lake mall.

8. Utako:

Utako is a residential as well as a Commercial Neighborhood in Abuja with very good road network and many beautiful residential houses. Utako is about 10 minutes drive from the Central business district and about 30 minutes from the Abuja airport. The major roads that transverse Utako are the Obafemi Awolowo Way that starts from the Berger Junction and the Shehu Yar’adua Way. Most Commercial transport companies have their terminals in Utako making it very easy to get to any part of the city and outside the capital city with stress.

Also See: The 10 Best Neighborhoods To Stay In Enugu

9. Jahi:

Jahi is a developing neighborhood in the city of Abuja, situated in the northwestern part of the city. The neighborhood is predominately residential with few commercial spaces. Jahi located nears Katampe to the north and east, Mabushi to the south east, Kado to the south and Gwarinpa to the west.  Jahi area sits close to two of Abuja’s most prominent neighborhoods, with significant commercial activity, namely Gwarinpa and Jabi. Jahi is not a fully established area, however it is experiencing a rapid increase in population as the district continues to mature. The neighborhood has basic infrastructure and a decent road network. Main roads include Katampe road, Ahmadu Bello Way and Murtala Mohammed Expressway.

10. Lokogoma:

Located just about 30 minutes from the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport and 25 minutes from the city center, The neighborhood is popular among the city’s middle class. Lokogoma is positioned near Galadimawa to the north west, Gaduwa to the north and Apo-Dutse in the north east while Lugbe lies further to the west along Airport Road. Lokogoma is still a growing and developing residential neighborhood of Abuja. Lokogoma has undergone a lot of development over the years with significant increase in population, the neighborhood houses a lot of gated estate with various commercial spaces such as supermarkets, bars, gardens, clubs etc.