Here are the best neighborhoods in Lagos to live in if you want a friendly community filled with good schools, a developed society, and a business-friendly atmosphere.

Eko Atlantic City

The EKO Atlantic City is a futuristic wonderful city built on land reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean. The location boasts modern facilities & infrastructure that can rival any other cosmopolitan city in the world and some have likened it to Dubai or Miami in America.

It’s certainly a great place to live if you can afford it (rents are relatively higher here). If you do decide to stay here, you’ll be close to some other popular neighborhoods like Oniru & Victoria Island.

Eko Atlantic City has been described as a wonder of Africa, a modern city, and one of the most amazing feats of engineering ever attempted. It’s certainly a great place to live if you can afford it (rents are relatively higher here).

Eko Atlantic City is located along the Bar Beachfront, on Victoria Island Extension in Lagos, Nigeria. The project covers an area of about 10km² or 2,500 acres, the size of Manhattan Island in New York City.

The 8-km long sea wall has been built using reinforced concrete and granite, with an average height of 11 meters above sea level and a width at its base measuring 145 meters.

The location boasts modern facilities & infrastructure that can rival any other cosmopolitan city in the world and some have likened it to Dubai or Miami in America. It’s certainly a great place to live if you can afford it (rents are relatively higher here).

If you do decide to stay here, you’ll be close to some other popular neighborhoods like Oniru & Victoria Island.

Banana Island Lagos 

Banana Island is an artificial island carved out from the foreshore of Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria. It’s no secret that Banana Island is home to wealthy Nigerians and also has some of the most expensive real estate in Nigeria. However, anyone who has spent time on this Island will admit that the place is in a class of its own.

Banana Island community is home to over 2000 residents from different parts of the world because of its serenity. 

Although there are few schools within and around the Island, Banana Island School (BIS) is notably the primary school you may want to consider, especially for kids from one.

Additionally, the school also follows the same three-term schedule as some private schools in the United Kingdom; one year is divided into three terms: Michaelmas, Lent, and Trinity, which all have half-term holidays.

To many, safety and security are the first things on their minds regarding their place of abode. However, banana Island gives you peace of mind when protecting your property and its contents. The Island’s main entrance is guarded by professional security men and women 24 hours a day. Not only are this security personnel visibly seen at the main entrance, but they are also actively present on the Island. 

The cost of living is a tad high if we consider the price of a typical 4 – bedroom property in Banana Island, which is ₦ 201.40 million, and if you want to rent an apartment, you will pay around ₦ 5.01 million each year as rent for a typical moderate 4 – bedroom house. 

But considering the security and other things your family gets to benefit from, if you have the financial power, I will recommend Banana Island as the first place to consider when you think of relocating or buying a property in Lagos.

Victoria Island

Victoria Island (VI) is an affluent area located in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos. It surrounds a former island that shares its borders with Lagos Island, the Lekki Peninsula, and Ikoyi.

Victoria Island is one of the most secure places in Lagos from both robbery & accidents. In general, VI has the most elegant buildings, restaurants, schools, residential developments, parks, and security systems in all of Nigeria.

Victoria Island is one of the best places to live in Lagos, and it has become the choice location for big multinational companies in Nigeria. Since 1985, VI has been the choice headquarters of many big companies in Lagos.

Despite being the most expensive place to live in the Lagos mainland, Victoria Island is well worth every Naira spent there. The Eko Atlantic is one of the top residence options located in this area. It’s a fabulous place to live if you plan to buy a house in VI.

Lagos’s Victoria Island is one of the most elite areas to reside, and It is the major financial center of Lagos. In addition, many banks have their headquarters in Victoria Island and the United States Consulate General. All these developments place VI on top as one of the best places to live in Lagos.

Lekki Phase 1

Lekki is a city of 401,272 residents located in the Eastern part of Lagos State, Nigeria. This naturally formed peninsula, close to Victoria Island and Ikoyi, has a tremendous view across the Atlantic Ocean to the south and of the Lagos Lagoon and Lekki Lagoon to the north. Lekki is where celebrities live in Lagos.

As far as money and class are concerned, Lekki is unmatched in Lagos. Lekki is the Beverly Hills in Nigeria. The Lekki-Ajah axis is another incredible area to live in Lagos. The ongoing construction of the Dangote refinery will make Lekki one of the best investment positions in Africa.

The community has grown a lot in terms of expansion and development and is a place in Lagos that offers fantastic job opportunities, reliable government support, high-quality private schools, top-notch medical facilities, shopping complexes, and recreational facilities.

Some of the best areas in Lekki are located in Ajah, Lekki Phase 1, Richmond Gate, and Victoria Garden City. Overall, Lekki is one of the best areas to live in Lagos.

 Ikoyi

Ikoyi is the most affluent neighborhood in Lagos state. Ikoyi is situated in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos, in the Northeastern region of Obalende, close to Lagos Island & the Lagos Lagoon.

It is also the home of some of the wealthiest & upper-class citizens in Nigeria. The Crime rate in Ikoyi is zero to none, and the society compliments this feature with top-notch security. 

There are several good schools in Ikoyi, including Lagos Preparatory School, Corona School, KK College, and other institutes for raising children. Therefore, it is not only Ikoyi, one of the best places to live in Lagos and one of the most secure places in Lagos.

Ikoyi houses some fine establishments, such as the headquarters of Google Nigeria, situated in Ikoyi, The World Health Organization (WHO), and The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). In addition, the Nigerian Government Presidential Secretariat and the Deputy-Governor of Lagos State live in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Ikoyi is another excellent area in Lagos state that is convenient to reside in and do business. It is one of the safest places to live in Lagos. It was a quarter for British colonial officials. This neighborhood is simply exceptional.

Furthermore, Ikoyi and its environment can boast of the best road networks in Nigeria. The quality of these road networks is due to the caliber of individuals and businesses located within the community.

Epe

Epe is a Local Government Area situated on the Northern side of the Lekki Lagoon, with 181,409 people (2006); it is one of the best areas to reside in Lagos city. You may be doubtful of this one, but I assure you Epe is not the worst place to live in Nigeria.

Like Surulere, Epe is also connected to many places in Lagos, including Lekki, Lagos Island, Festac, Oshodi, and Surulere. Due to its proximity to Lekki, Epe has seen rapid development lately.

It has one of the best residential areas in Lagos. There are also many good schools, police stations, public transport services, supermarkets, banks, healthcare centers, and recreation centers.

Unlike most places on my list, both a high-income earner and working-class citizen can reside comfortably in Epe.

Surulere

Surulere is one of the best places to live in Lagos. It is at the center of Lagos and is located in the Lagos mainland.

Surulere is accessible from almost every route and road in Lagos. You can get from Surulere to nearly every part of Lagos for a transport fare of #500: the airport, the stadium, Oshodi, Victoria Island, Lagos Island, Alaba, name it.

Surulere is a residential and commercial Local Government Area located in the Lagos Mainland. It has 23 km² containing 503,975 residents (2006), with a population density of 21,864 inhabitants per square kilometer.

Surulere has also housed and has/had famous people like Babatunde Raji Fashola, Teslim Fatusi, and Aliko Dangote.

Did I mention that Surulere is an urban community?

It is an urban area with street lights, malls, sports complexes, stores, and tarred roads, all surrounded by the goodness of a good neighborhood. 

There are also famous landmarks like the National Stadium Lagos, National Arts Theatre, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping Mall, Ojuelegba, St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA), and the Nigerian Breweries.

Surulere is one of the best places to live on the Lagos mainland. Suppose you are looking for a place to reside in Lagos at a reasonable price, rent an apartment in Surulere. There are many beautiful places to live in, like Bode Thomas, Coker, Shitta, and Orile.

Festac

Festac is a federal housing estate located along the popular Lagos-Badagry Expressway. Festac Town is a national housing estate situated in the Awuwo-Odofin local government area in Lagos.

It got the name “FESTAC” from the acronym – Second World African Festival of Arts and Culture held there in 1977. Just like Surulere, you can reach almost anywhere in Lagos.

In addition, Festac has accessible routes that you can use to escape Lagos traffic. It has smooth road access to Ikotun, Mushin, Surulere, Ikeja, and even Oshodi. Festac holds some of the most incredible facts and history about Lagos. 

Festac is one of the best places to live with a family in Lagos, and it is one of the most peaceful places in Lagos. 

Several amenities can be found in this area, including reliable power supply, police and fire stations, state-of-the-art supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, and health centers. Living in Festac allows you to enjoy your life in Lagos.

Ikeja

Ikeja is the capital of Lagos and remains one of the most populated places in Lagos state. It is considered the center of business activities in Lagos because many people choose Ikeja for their business activities. 

Computer village in Ikeja, Lagos, is one of the biggest hubs of ICT in West Africa. Since it is the capital of Lagos State, it houses a lot of the Nigerian Government Parastatals. In addition, Ikeja has many popular areas, including Ojodu, Opebi, Akiode, Alausa, Agidingbi, and Magodo & Maryland.

The Ikeja GRA is really lovely and well planned out. Hence, the area links to many important places in Lagos like the Opebi Allen, Alausa, Ilupeju, the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, and the Lagos state house of assembly.

Several companies are producing a wide range of goods in Ikeja, and not just that, a mix of commercial and residential areas makes it the ideal location to start a business in the heart of Lagos. 

Ikeja is a clean and quiet residential area in Lagos. There are many excellent spots to hang out with friends, like the Ikeja city mall or any cinemas, bars, or restaurants found throughout this neighborhood.

Furthermore, Ikeja has a lot of good schools, hospitals, and security outposts. Also, If you are the type that wants to invest in Real Estate, Ikeja is a major goldmine for landlords and property agents. Even if living in Ikeja sounds expensive, it is among the most affordable places to live in Lagos.

Yaba

Yaba is another fantastic place to live in Lagos. It is located in Lagos Mainland and is one of the best places to start a family in Lagos. Yaba may not be as fancy and classy as Lekki or VI, but it is one of the best areas to live in Lagos.

Yaba is a perfect area to live in Lagos; it has many houses, schools, and marketplaces. In addition, Yaba has some of the finest academic facilities in Nigeria. The Queens College, The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, The Yaba College of Technology, The University of Lagos, The Federal School Science and Technical College, Federal College of Education, and tons of first-class private schools, nursery, primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions are located in Yaba.

With most start-ups such as Co-Creation Hub, Andela, and others, Yaba has become one of the most sought-after locations in Lagos.

While keeping a close watch on your family, you have many options to choose from. There are also tons of fun places to hang out like the Ozone cinema and E- Centre where you can rush to have fun on weekends.

One of Lagos’ busiest markets is Yaba; the Tejuosho Market, an open-air market that is 24hrs a day- open all day, night, and day again. 

Magodo

Magodo isn’t just close to one of the biggest markets in Lagos – Mile 12; it is one of the most beautiful places in Lagos. The Magodo Housing Estate is ideal for you if you are looking for a comfortable, secure place to live in Lagos with good roads, a lively environment, good social amenities, and friendly neighbors.

Magodo is by far the best location to live in if you want to live close to your place of work. In this part of Lagos, these apartments and houses look like Developers ripped them straight out of glossy foreign magazines. They are stunning.

With many Estates springing up between Ajah and the Lekki, Magodo is one of the best places to live in Lagos, with cheap lands and houses compared to the latter.

Ogudu GRA

Ogudu is another popular area in the Lagos mainland located close to Ojota. It also has many luxurious apartments and flats for rent. An exclusive Government Reserve Area is calm, serene, and lovely situated here meant for those who could dish out the cash.

Ogudu is known to have a good road network, functional streetlights, a drainage system, and cool spots where you can hang out or relax with your family.

Gbagada GRA

The Gbagada GRA is a beautiful community in Lagos that has mostly working-class families. It’s not just the environment that makes this estate special, but also the people and sense of family that you get from it.

The estate is filled with old people who have lived there for over 30 years and children who have grown up in the area.

People come to this area because of its “family” atmosphere, where everyone knows everyone else. The sense of security is unparalleled in any other area in Lagos State, as well as Nigeria.

There are many benefits to living here including:

being able to walk around without fear of being mugged or assaulted;

being able to leave your doors open while on vacation and not having to worry about burglars breaking into your home;

and having access to all the amenities such as banks, supermarkets, schools, etc within close proximity of your home.”

Anthony Village

Anthony Village is a beautiful community in Lagos that is upscale and nestled along the Ikorodu express road.

Anthony village is located in a strategic location.

It’s a gated estate with 24 hours security.

There are over 200 families living here as of now, and more keep moving in.

The Anthony village has been growing into a beehive of activities, having commercial and business activities within its locality.

The community is also in close proximity to other communities like the Federal Housing Estate, Ikosi-Ketu, Ketu, and Ikosi. The Anthony Village was formerly an uninhabited jungle until it was carved out by the Lagos State Government.

The Lagos State Government developed the community by constructing roads, installing street lights, and providing basic amenities like water and electricity. Living in this community will give you access to all the basic amenities you need.

The Anthony Village has been used as a location for many Nollywood movies due to its serene and scenic view. There are many 5-star hotels which can provide accommodation for visitors. Some of these hotels include “Serena Hotel” and “Landmark Hotel”.

The Anthony Village was designed for families with well-laid out blocks of flats with beautiful designs and architecture. There are also bungalows in the community which has been carefully built to suit your needs. The town itself is well-planned with wide roads that will make mobility easier.

Ebute Ikorodu

Ikorodu is a city in Lagos State, Nigeria. The town can be found on the eastern side of the metropolitan area of Lagos State and is bordered by the EPE to the west, Ketu to the north, Mile 12 to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It is a major suburb of Metropolitan Lagos.

Ikorodu is home to several estates such as Odogunyan, Itunmoja, Ogolonto, Agric/Oke Agbo, Ebute Metta, and Ibeshe.

Ebute Ikorodu is a thriving community on the shore of the lagoon in Ikorodu, Lagos state Nigeria. It is one of the most developed communities in ikorodu with gated estates and amazing road networks.

Ebute Ikorodu is located in a serene environment with a good road network, it has a population of about 500000 people, and it’s just 15 mins drive from Ikorodu town and a 1hr 30 mins drive from Victoria Island. There is also an elaborate ferry jetty where you can connect most of Lagos Island with a ferry in 30 minutes

Illupeju

Ibeju Lekki

Badore Ajah Area

Apapa

Badagary

Conclusion

There you have it; these are officially my ten best places to live in Lagos. These places will offer you premium comfort and security and allow you easy access to your worksite without hassle. If you ever plan to enjoy life in Lagos, I sincerely recommend you move to any of these areas; you’d fall in love with what you see.