How to Move to Lagos from Another City — Complete Guide

Moving to Lagos from another city is one of the most significant quality-of-life transitions you can make in Nigeria. The city offers more opportunity, more options, and more energy than anywhere else in the country — but it also costs more, demands more, and punishes unpreparedness more than anywhere else. This guide covers everything you need to plan your move properly.

Step 1: Choose your area before you arrive

The biggest mistake new Lagos residents make is moving to whatever area is cheapest or most convenient without considering their daily commute. Lagos traffic is unlike any other Nigerian city — it can turn a 15km journey into a 2-hour ordeal during peak hours.

Choose your area based on where you will spend most of your working hours:

• Working on the Island (VI, Marina, Ikoyi): Look at Lekki, Ajah, or Yaba. Surulere and Ikeja are doable but painful during rush hour.
• Working in Ikeja or the Mainland: Ikeja, Maryland, Surulere, or Gbagada. Avoid Lekki if you work here — the commute is brutal.
• Working in Lekki or along the corridor: Lekki Phase 1 or Ajah. Budget determines which.
• Working remotely: Budget is your only constraint. Ajah, Surulere, and Yaba offer the best value.

Step 2: Understand what renting in Lagos actually costs

Most people from outside Lagos underestimate the total cost of renting. Here is the real breakdown for a 2-bedroom flat:

• Annual rent: ₦600,000 (Surulere) to ₦4.5m (Lekki Phase 1) — paid 1–2 years upfront
• Agent commission: 5–10% of annual rent, paid once
• Legal fees: ₦30,000–₦100,000 for tenancy agreement
• Caution deposit: 1 month's rent in many cases
• Moving costs: ₦50,000–₦200,000 depending on distance and volume
• Furniture and appliances: Factor in at least ₦300,000–₦500,000 if you are starting fresh

Step 3: Find your flat before you arrive if possible

Searching for a flat from another city is hard — but spending money on temporary accommodation while you search for a permanent place is even more expensive. The best approach is to engage a property search agent in your target area before you arrive.

A good property search agent will:

• Search your target area while you are still in your current city
• Send you photos, video walkthroughs, and honest voice notes
• Shortlist 3–5 options that match your brief
• Arrange one viewing trip — you visit Lagos once, see the shortlist, sign if you like it

This approach — search remotely, view once — is exactly how HouseRun works. Post a brief for your target Lagos area on HouseRun Lagos before you pack your things.

Step 4: Sort your banking and phone before you arrive

Lagos transactions move fast. Landlords expect bank transfers, not cash. Make sure:

• You have a Nigerian bank account that can do instant transfers (GTBank, Zenith, Access, or a fintech like Opay/Moniepoint)
• Your phone has a Lagos SIM — MTN and Airtel have the best coverage in Lagos
• You have a BVN-linked account — many landlords will not accept rent from a non-BVN account

Step 5: What nobody tells you about Lagos

A few things about Lagos that guidebooks do not mention:

• The traffic is unpredictable. The same journey takes 20 minutes at 7am and 90 minutes at 8am. Plan your schedule around this.
• Power supply varies enormously by neighbourhood — even within the same area, one estate might have 18 hours of light and the next street has 4 hours. Always ask specifically before signing.
• Flooding is a serious issue in some areas. Ask your agent which streets flood in July–September before you view anything in those months.
• Security is neighbourhood-specific. Lagos is generally safer than its reputation, but some streets have active crime. A local agent will know which to avoid.
• Service charge and estate charges are on top of rent. Many estates in Lekki and VI charge monthly service fees (₦30,000–₦100,000) on top of your rent. Ask before you agree to anything.

Step 6: Give yourself 3 months to feel settled

Most people who move to Lagos say the first three months are the hardest. The pace is faster, the cost of everything is higher, and the social network takes time to build. This is normal. Stick it out — Lagos rewards patience and effort in ways few other cities in Africa can match.

Planning your Lagos move? Start your property search now — post a brief and a verified local agent will search your target area before you arrive. Post a brief →