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It is not uncommon to be concerned about your next home in a foreign land, regardless of the country you are planning to move into. Dhaka, Bangladesh is now one of the most prospective cities in the world to host expats working for Multinational Corporations. Since this country has one of the highest growth rates both among South Asian nations and in the world, moving to Dhaka can offer great opportunities for expats. But before you do, obviously you have to conduct some research about expats moving to Dhaka.  An important thing to consider before shifting is location. Because a lot of factors such as safety, security, food, and transportation, among other things, depend on location the most. Let’s take a look at some preferred places for expats to live in Dhaka. It will help you get an idea of the neighborhoods to make your own decision.

Gulshan

A secured area like Gulshan is certainly the prime choice for residence among expats in Dhaka
A secured area like Gulshan is certainly the prime choice for a residence among expats in Dhaka

If you ask for a recommendation from anyone, Gulshan is likely to be on the top among the places for expats to live in Dhaka. That’s because this area was solely developed for diplomatic purposes. Hence, many embassies are spread around the location and so there are quite a few facilities that are uniquely designed for foreigners. For instance, there are numerous apartments for rent in Gulshan which are only available to expats. Some of them even come fully furnished, which can be quite rare for other areas. Also, most of the top tier hotels, restaurants, and expat communities are within a short distance. Moreover, you will find several international educational institutions for your children in the area. If you are okay with the high expense of the area, then Gulshan is most certainly the right place for you.

Baridhara

The area restriction makes Baridhara one of the best places for expats in Dhaka
The area restriction makes Baridhara one of the best places for expats in Dhaka

Gulshan is a commercial/residential area with Gulshan 2 hosting the bulk of housing. But if you would like to live in a purely residential area, Baridhara may be a good fit for you. A large portion of the housing here is for defense officers but is also available for civilians as well. That is why the place is very orderly. Roads are well maintained, traffic rules are properly monitored and, of course, a  24/7 security protection is in place. Also, apartments for rent in Baridhara are of the similar quality to Gulshan but much more peaceful because of low traffic movement. Only a lake separates Gulshan from Baridhara, therefore, living in this area, you also get to reap the benefits of Gulshan too. Hence, Baridhara makes it to the top places for expats to live in Dhaka.

Banani

Even though Banani has a casual vibe to it, expats easily fit in the area
Even though Banani has a casual vibe to it, expats easily fit in the area

While Baridhara is on the eastern side of Gulshan, Banani is on the west. Compared to the above two locations, Banani is much friendlier as there is no rigid restriction on area accessibility. This means Banani has a combination of offices, residences, shops, and restaurants. Being adjacent to Gulshan, area facilities are more or less the same. You can easily access most corporate offices and embassies in Gulshan or Baridhara from Banani. Plus, house rent is slightly less expensive in here in comparison with the first two. The area itself is very vibrant due to higher accessibility and local businesses. If such lifestyle suits you the best, then Banani is a great pick.

Bashundhara

Self sustaining nature of Bashundhara is nonparallel to other suitable areas for expats in Dhaka
Self-sustaining nature of Bashundhara is nonparallel to other suitable areas for expats in Dhaka

Let’s move on to one of the new favorite places for expats to live in Dhaka – Bashundhara. It is a developing residential community just beside the Kuril highway, east of Baridhara. Unlike the areas above, Bashundhara provides a complete living solution. From corporate offices to educational institutions, healthcare to groceries, shopping malls, and recreation, everything is within one boundary. For an expat, this means convenience and low movement in the city. Plus, Bashundhara is not very far from Gulshan, Baridhara or even Banani. As the area is still developing, you may find larger variety of affordable rental apartments according to your preference. If you are planning on a long-term stay in Dhaka, then Bashundhara is highly recommended.

Uttara

If you are looking for affordable living in Dhaka, don't leave out Uttara from your list
If you are looking for affordable living in Dhaka, don’t leave out Uttara from your list

Lastly, another expat friendly area in Dhaka is Uttara. Since the airport is so close, this neighborhood is a top choice for expats who make frequent trips. That way, they can avoid unnecessary traffic. However, Uttara is the fastest growing suburb of Dhaka and is becoming more and more popular with time. There are many local and international institutions, educational facilities, healthcare centers, and shopping malls within close proximity. The only drawback of this area is the lengthy commute to the rest of the city during peak hours, but that is applicable for most parts of Dhaka. That is why accommodation in Uttara is more affordable than many other areas. If your needs are similar, then pick Uttara as your next residence.

Share your thoughts and queries with us about the best places for expats to live in Dhaka in the comments section below. We will definitely try our best to help you out!

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