Living in Lagos can be a great experience, let discuss some tips to make your stay worthwhile.

Lagos is a city full of energy, hustle, and people from all walks of life. Some are in for pleasure, business and other live in and are thirsty to succeed.

In this post we will guide on all you need to know before visiting Lagos, and what will make you live a better and prosperous life in this center of excellence.

Note: All insights tuck in here are based on life experiences through the causes of living in Lagos for two decades plus.

Let’s get to it.

Things to Consider Before Living in Lagos

Here are thing you should look out for if you stay, or intent to move to Lagos

1) Cost of Living in Lagos

One of the very important thing that impacts life in Lagos is the costs of living in the state, and this boils down to different location or neighborhood of choice.

Living in Lagos can be expensive, depending on your lifestyle and how you prioritize comfort. Rent takes the biggest part of most people living Lagos’s income.

In high brow areas like Lekki, Victoria Island, and Ikoyi, rent can be very high. A small one-bedroom flat can cost between ₦1 to ₦2 million per year. But in areas like Agege, Iyana Ipaja, or Mushin, rent is cheaper, between ₦300,000 to ₦500,000 per year.

Food prices are also rising. A basket of tomatoes or a bag of rice can take a big part of your monthly budget. Eating out is common in Lagos, but it adds up. Transportation costs also affect your pocket, especially if you choose ride-hailing services like Uber or Bolt often.

Electricity, water, and internet bills vary. Some people spend as much as ₦50,000 monthly on power alone if they use generators often. So it’s good to plan your monthly spending well.

To make this detailed enough we wrote a comprehensive post about cost of living in Lagos, you can check it out.

2) Best Neighborhoods to Live

Before you plan moving to Lagos, it important to know that where you stay in Lagos can change your experience.

Some neighborhood are more safer that the other, some lack basic amenities like power, good road network and good security system.

All these mentioned above are what shapes the cost and comfort you get as a Lagosian.

Here are hints on best neighborhood to stay in Lagos, and what influences it cost. all these are factors based on how one prioritize comfort and budgets:

  • Low budget: Ikorodu, Agege, Ajegunle, Iyana Ipaja, Badagry
  • Medium budget: Yaba, Surulere, Gbagada, Egbeda
  • High budget: Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Banana Island

Yaba and Surulere are good for young professionals. They are close to the Island and have many schools, tech hubs, and fun spots. Lekki and VI are great for luxury living but expensive. Ikorodu and Badagry are far from the city center but rent is cheap.

3) Before Renting A House

One of the major challenges of staying in Lagos is being able to get a good and problem free apartment.

In Lagos you encounter different challenges when renting a house, ranging from problematic landlords, extortion from property owners and scammers ripping people of their hard earned money in name of renting an apartment.

The above tells you that finding a good house in Lagos is not easy. Agents are everywhere, and some may try to cheat you.

Don’t worry, here are a few tips you should look at:

  • Use trusted online platforms like PropertyPro, PrivateProperty, or Nigerian Property Centre.
  • Ask friends or family for recommendations.
  • Always inspect the house before paying.
  • Avoid agents asking for inspection fees above ₦2,000.
  • Never pay to someone you haven’t met in person.

If you’re new in Lagos, or already stays in Lagos it is important to pay attention to above tips to be at a safer side. Or better still you can read our full detailed guide on what to consider renting and apartment in Lagos.

4) Transportation Guide in Lagos

Another aspect of living in Lagos visitors should consider is transportation, how to move about your activities when you arrive the state

Moving around Lagos can be stressful. Traffic is very hectic due to the city’s huge population. It even gets worse during rush hours.

Your choice of transportation in Lagos will depend on your lifestyle, location and how much you are willing to part away for your transportation

Below are the different means of transportation in Lagos, this enable visitors and local move around from point A to B.

  • Danfo: Yellow buses found everywhere. Cheap but not comfortable.
  • BRT: Big blue buses with air-condition. They follow routes and are safer.
  • Keke: Small tricycles good for short distances.
  • Okada: Motorcycles, now banned on major roads.
  • Uber/Bolt: More comfortable but costly during peak hours.

the above mentioned are various means of transportation in Lagos, they make movement in the state easier. So, as a visitor do well by familiarizing your self with the different medium of transportation in Lagos

5) Safety Tips for Living in Lagos

Lagos is a fast city, with huge population. People from all walk of of visit Lagos for greener pasture. With that, the city is also has a high level of crime.

However, you can live in Lagos safely if you maintain a safety conscious lifestyle and adere to the tips we will discuss here.

Primarily, some areas of Lagos are safer than others. But what happens when you are in the street of Lagos on your way to work, in social gatherings? All these places are where you experience the real Lagos life.

Here are basic tips to keep you safe while staying in Lagos:

  • Avoid walking late at night in quiet or dark areas.
  • Don’t flash cash or expensive phones in public.
  • Lock your doors and windows, especially at night.
  • Be careful when using ATMs or POS machines.
  • Avoid unknown shortcuts or deserted areas.

The above are basic Lagos safety tips, but we have full post that talks extensively on to stay safe in Lagos

Lastly ensure you familiarize yourself with Major Lagos emergency contacts so you can reach out in case of any emergency.

6) Top Markets in Lagos

Markets in Lagos are key parts of the people’s daily life, they are busy, colorful, full of life and serves as a great source of revenue to the state.

The market is a place where you can buy and sell food, clothes, electronics, and many other items.

They varies from large, well-known like Balogun and Oshodi market to smaller local ones in different neighborhoods, each market has its own vibe.

In the market you hear traders shout prices, customers bargain, and the smell of spices, food, and fresh produce fills the air.

Lagos markets are not just for shopping they are also places where people meet, talk, and share news. They show the hustle, creativity, and strong spirit of Lagos life.

Lagos has many markets where you can buy food, clothes, electronics, and more. A few of them and what they are known for include:

  • Balogun Market (Lagos Island): For clothes, shoes, bags.
  • Mile 12 Market: Best for food items like pepper, onions, yams.
  • Computer Village (Ikeja): Phones, laptops, gadgets.
  • Tejuosho Market (Yaba): Affordable fashion and house items.
  • Alaba International Market: Electronics, home appliances.

In all, the market is an important aspect of the state, and as visitor you should get along and know them because they will make your life easier during your stay.

7) Where to Relax in Lagos

Lagos is a fun city to be, they’re various spots to chill and unwind such as Beaches, Parks, Cinemas, nice Restaurants and Night clubs.

So, when making plans to visit, Lagos have plans to ball like never before, and enjoy what the great city has to offer.

Below we will list spots where everyone can relax and have fun. Be it kids, young and vibrant, and even Mom and Pops.

Although, we have dedicated articles where we talks about the individual spots we will be mentioning here.

  • Spot For Kids: Hakuna Matata park, Dream world Africana, Fun factory and Omu Resort
  • Water Fun: Elegushi, Atican, Tarkwa Bay, Landmark Beach.
  • Nightclubs And Bars: W Bar, G12, Quilox, The Library Lounge
  • Food And Delicacies: The Place, Yellow Chilli, Iyeru Okin, Orchid Bistro
  • Parks: Johnson Jakande Park, Lekki Conservation Centre
  • Cinemas: Filmhouse, Silverbird, Genesis Cinemas

So, have it in mind that in Lagos every weekend is fun, also note that many of these places get crowded by weekends. To get a spot you have to go early or make reservations.

And don’t forget get have fun responsibly, and be in no way harmful to other people.

8) How to Deal with NEPA, Traffic, and General Lagos Problems

Lagos has it known problems just like other cities of the world, as a visitor you should expect some of these problems depending on where you are in Lagos.

This is to prep you on what to expect in Lagos and how to manage and navigate through your new life.

Some of these problems include:

  • NEPA: Light can go off at any time. Many homes use generators or inverters.
  • Traffic: Leave early, use Google Maps, and have snacks or water during long trips.
  • Flooding: Avoid low areas during rainy season.
  • Noise: Use earplugs or play music if you live in noisy areas.

You can’t control everything, but you can adjust how you react.

Bonus Tip: Here a bonus resource to give you a view of the real life in Lagos.

Life In Street of Lagos

Everyone in Lagos has a hustle. From bankers to hawkers, people are always on the move. Here is a video that shows the real life in the street of Lagos.

Video credit: Gano Did It

The clip shows the street of Lagos, giving everyone a glimpse of how people in Lagos survive.

Conclusion

Living in Lagos is not for the faint-hearted, but those who understand the city’s rhythm find ways to thrive. From dealing with traffic, light issues, and cost of living to enjoying the food, nightlife, and beautiful beaches, the smart ones plan ahead. They know where to live, how to move around, and how to stay safe.

Whether you’re new in town or have stayed long, success in Lagos comes from being sharp, informed, and streetwise. Don’t just survive, learn how to live well. Lagos may be tough, but with the right mindset, it can also be the place where your hustle pays off. Shine your eyes, spend wisely, stay connected, and enjoy the ride.

Welcome to Lagos, the heartbeat of hustle and hope!