This post will discuss what to know before moving to Lagos, it is meant to share insight about life in Lagos and throw light on what to expect. Whether you are a foreigner or Nigerian considering moving or visiting Lagos, this could help you have a peep before you leap.

Lagos is one of the most vibrant cities in West Africa, the economic powerhouse of Nigeria. The center of excellence as it is fondly called is filled with many opportunities, millions of people troop in for various reasons such as work, studies, vacation, business, pleasure, etc. The city is loaded with other activities that grab the attention of visitors.

So, if you have plans to move to Lagos, this article will highlight the benefits of living in Lagos, what to expect, and how to brace up for your new environmental, economic, and social changes. Keep reading

What Are The Benefits Of Living In Lagos?

Here are a few benefits of living in Lagos:

  • Economic Opportunities: Lagos is the economic powerhouse of Nigeria, offering numerous job prospects in various industries, from finance to tech startups.
  • Vibrant Social Scene: The city is known for its lively nightlife, festivals, and cultural events, providing endless entertainment options.
  • Diverse Cuisine: Lagos offers a rich culinary scene, with an array of local and international dishes, from street food to fine dining.
  • Cultural Diversity: As a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities, Lagos provides a unique opportunity to experience various traditions and lifestyles.
  • Bustling Markets: The city is home to numerous markets like Mile 12 and Computer Village, where you can find everything from fresh produce to the latest tech gadgets.

Living in Lagos means embracing a dynamic lifestyle filled with opportunities for growth and adventure.

Things To Know Before Moving To Lagos

There are various important factors you need to look at before making a move to Lagos, let’s discuss them below.

1. cost of living

One of the very first things to know before moving to Lagos is the cost of living, which enables you to budget accordingly. Lagos is a semi-expensive city, the cost of living is influenced by several factors such as Location, lifestyle, and preferences. these determine how much you spend in Lagos.

The basic living costs such as food, shelter, and transportation prices vary, Lagos provides affordability for everyone of different statuses, whether you are in the upper, middle, or lower class there’s always something to suit your budget, for instance, feeding options in Lagos ranges from Intercontinental cuisine, Fancy restaurant, Local restaurant, and Lagos street foods.

So, when discussing the cost of living in Lagos it will be unrealistic to be generic as Lagos caters to wide categories of people. In other words, one can eat a plate of meals in a fancy restaurant in Lagos for 20,000 naira and another person also eats a meal in local restaurants for 2,000. you can notice the wide cost differences, so, what you spend in Lagos depends on your lifestyle and preference.


2. Traffic

Lagos is an overpopulated city with lots of people moving from one city to the other going about their daily activities. Despite the various transportation options available in the state, the city can’t control the flow of traffic, especially in peak periods.

This may be strange to someone who hasn’t witnessed such from where they are coming from and may begin to experience some discomfort, it is worth noting that Lagos traffic isn’t child’s play, someone once jokingly said Lagos is the headquarters of traffic jams.

As a visitor intending to move to Lagos, to meet up with the schedule it is necessary to always move ahead of time due to traffic

3. Housing

Housing is an important aspect to know before moving to Lagos. The choice of where to stay depends on how much you have to spend, there are some luxury housing choices and good neighborhoods to stay in Lagos affordable to different people, also there are some affordable choices in a less expensive neighborhood with good facilities.

Your housing choice boils down to your lifestyle, preference, and budget. But the catch is that Lagos has accommodations options for different classes of people, for example, you can get a 2-bed room apartment for 10 million naira annually in high-brow neighborhoods like Victoria Island, ikoyi, and Lekki Also, you can get a 2-bed room flat with same facilities in a less expensive areas like Ikeja, Yaba, and Maryland for 4 million naira annually. So, housing depends on budget and preference.

It’s important to consider many factors before renting a house in Lagos such as location, security, amenities, and transportation links, which make your home easily accessible and enjoyable.

4. Population

As a visitor moving to Lagos, it is important to know that Lagos is a heavily populated city with approximately 14,862,000 people as of 2021, the figure keeps increasing due to the birth rate of Lagosians and the constant immigration of people to Lagos, Making it the busiest city in west Africa.

This high population causes a lot of rush and congestion, to people staying in Lagos this May seems normal, but it is worth mentioning to visitors about the bustles and what to expect when they move to Lagos.
So, before you move to Lagos prepare your mind to come to one of the most populated states in Africa

5. Transportation

Lagos is a city with different transportation options, from BRT buses, Danfo, Molue, mini buses, and Okada, other options include keke Napep, taxi-hailing services like Bolt etc.
The choice of transportation in Lagos depends on individual needs and transportation budget.

One can move from the airport to Victoria Island on public transportation for less than 2000 naira, and the same distance may cost 15,000 naira with Bolt, you see the difference. But there are many other ways to move affordably and comfortably around Lagos apart from these, The various transportation options are affordable for different people with different budgets.

6. Local market

Lagos is a big city with many markets where you can buy several items such as Food stuff, Electronics, Clothing, Computers, and Gadgets, this market serves Lagosians without the need to travel outside the state to go shopping.

Some famous markets in Lagos include:

  • Mile 12 market: The market is popular among other markets in Lagos and known specifically as the largest market for fresh foods and vegetables in Lagos and the largest Farm-to-market bazaar. Mile12 Market prides itself on affordable varieties of commodities.
  • Alaba International Market: Suppose you are looking to buy electronics in Lagos Alaba International Market is the right place to buy electrical appliances, gadgets, and spare parts for vehicles and machinery.
  • Computer Village: Computer Village is a vibrant innovative hub and electronic commerce that attracts tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and everyday consumers seeking the latest gadgets, tech solutions, and expert services.
  • Katangua Market: If you want to buy used wear in Lagos, consider checking out Katangua Market, which boasts quality and fairly used clothing and accessories.

When considering moving to Lagos, note that there are many markets for different needs in the state.

7. Pollution

Pollution is an alarming fault in Lagos. Noise from vehicle honk, and smoke emanating from industrial machines of numerous industries in Lagos are a great concern in many areas of Lagos. If you are someone who likes a quiet and stress-free life in a calm environment then you should reconsider moving to Lagos.

Unlike other places in the world, in Lagos churches and mosques are allowed to rent residential property for their activities and plant mega speakers calling out a loud prayer at the expense of other people’s quiet time, anyone can set up parties around the neighborhood playing the loudest music and making noise as much as they wish and no one raise eyebrows any about it.

So, is worth noting that some areas in Lagos are highly polluted and don’t care about other people’s quietness.

8. Food

Lagos is a city with diverse tribes, nationalities, and people from different backgrounds, The food variety is surplus with different feeding options available, and you can eat various kinds of dishes from Chinese, Italian, and Nigerian Local restaurants, lest I forget let’s me mention that there also many popular Lagos street food which you can eat on the go without tearing the pockets.

When it comes to food and feeding in Lagos it is nothing to worry about as you will have different types of food choices to eat from and explore the kinds of foods you never thought existed.

9. Social life

Kudos to Lagos social life, in Lagos, you can become friends with strangers with a twinkle of an eye. Most people in Lagos are open-minded and can relate with anybody without any barriers. You can even get new friends faster if you are a football ball fan, someone you’ve never met before can walk to you and say Boss “What did Man-U and Chelsea play “ and before you know it conversation has started, and boom a new friend is made.

In Lagos people don’t bother to know your name, especially among the male folks, they address you socially you too can do the same, you will hear people call you “Chairman, Chief, Boss, Baba, Paddi mi, My guy, and so on”.

But all these with little disclaimer, don’t be carried away by all the show of friendship because some could be cunning and don’t mean it from the heart. So, when planning to move to Lagos keep in mind that Lagos is a friendly and social city that even loves foreigners the most.

Conclusion

Moving to Lagos is a transformative experience that offers both challenges and rewards. With its vibrant energy, diverse culture, and endless opportunities, Lagos stands out as a city that never sleeps. While factors like traffic, cost of living, and population density can be daunting, the rich social life, varied food options, and thriving markets more than makeup for it.

Embrace the adventure, prepare for the unexpected, and let Lagos show you why it’s called the center of excellence. Whether you’re a Nigerian or a visitor, Lagos has something unique to offer everyone. Welcome to your new adventure!