Short answer: If your children will attend the American International School Dhaka (AISD), look for an apartment in Baridhara or the nearby side of Gulshan. If they will attend International School Dhaka (ISD), look in Bashundhara. Choose the school first, then shortlist family apartments within a short, predictable drive of it, because the morning school run in Dhaka traffic matters more than almost anything else.
For expatriate families, the question is rarely "which is the nicest flat?" but "which flat makes the school run workable?" Dhaka traffic can turn a short distance into a long journey at the times children need to arrive, and a difficult school run affects the whole household every day. This guide explains how to find a family apartment near an international school in Dhaka, which areas to shortlist, and what a family flat needs beyond the bedroom count. It draws on what Rent Property sees when housing diplomatic, UN and corporate families.
Why should you choose the school before the apartment?
- Places can be limited. Popular international schools may have waiting lists for some year groups. Confirm a place, or at least a realistic timeline, before signing a lease.
- School start times are early. Morning traffic in Dhaka builds quickly, and a route that is easy mid-morning can be slow just before school starts.
- Your children's day gets longer with every minute in the car. A short commute leaves time for sport, clubs and rest, and makes after-school activities practical.
- Lease terms follow the school year. Many families time moves around school terms, so align the lease start and length with the academic calendar where you can.
Apartments near the American International School Dhaka
The American International School Dhaka is in Baridhara, the Diplomatic Zone. Families at AISD usually shortlist:
- Baridhara — the shortest school run, with some homes within walking distance. It is quiet, has controlled access roads and suits families who also want to be close to embassies. One of our current listings is a furnished six-bedroom, 7,500 sq ft apartment on UN Road, Baridhara, described as a short walk from AISD, at BDT 1,000,000 a month. Other furnished Baridhara flats in our listings run from around BDT 150,000 for a four-bedroom of 3,000 sq ft to BDT 350,000 for a four-bedroom of 3,500 sq ft.
- Gulshan-2 — adjacent to Baridhara, with a wider choice of flats and more shops and restaurants. A furnished three-bedroom of about 2,200 sq ft in our listings is around BDT 130,000–160,000 a month.
Browse apartments in Baridhara and apartments in Gulshan, or read our guide to Baridhara Diplomatic Zone apartments.
Apartments near International School Dhaka in Bashundhara
International School Dhaka is in Bashundhara Residential Area. Living in Bashundhara itself usually gives the shortest and most predictable school run, and the area has newer buildings with larger floor plates at lower rents than Gulshan. Evercare Hospital Dhaka is also in Bashundhara, which many families find reassuring.
In our current listings, furnished three-bedroom flats of about 2,000 sq ft in Bashundhara are around BDT 80,000–110,000 a month, and a fully furnished four-bedroom of about 2,450 sq ft is around BDT 150,000. See apartments in Bashundhara.
What about other international and English-medium schools?
Dhaka has several other international and English-medium schools, with a range of curricula, spread across Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, Bashundhara, Uttara and other districts. Because campuses and branches change, ask each school for its current address, start and finish times, and bus routes, then apply the same rule: shortlist homes on the same side of the city as the campus. If one parent works in Gulshan and the children study in Bashundhara, compare both commutes at rush hour before deciding who has the shorter drive.
How do you plan the school-run commute?
- Pin the school and the office on a map. Draw a rough circle around the school first; the office is usually the secondary consideration.
- Test the route at school time. During your viewing week, drive from each shortlisted building to the school at the actual drop-off time, and back at pick-up time.
- Ask about school buses. Many international schools run bus services. Ask the school which routes and pick-up points exist, and whether your shortlisted street is covered.
- Plan for the monsoon. Heavy rain can waterlog some roads. Ask neighbours or the building manager how the route behaves during a downpour.
- Plan the second car. If one car takes a parent to the office and another handles the school run, you will need two parking bays and possibly two drivers.
What does a family apartment near an international school need?
Space and layout
- At least three bedrooms, ideally with an extra room for a study, guest or live-in help.
- Bathrooms attached to most bedrooms, which is common in expatriate-standard flats.
- Staff quarters with a separate entrance if you will employ a live-in housekeeper or nanny.
- A kitchen and dining area large enough for family meals, and storage for school gear.
Safety for children
- Window grilles or locks and balcony railings high enough, with no gaps a small child can climb through.
- Fire exits that are open and clearly marked, and working fire extinguishers on each floor.
- Guarded entry, an intercom and CCTV, so you know who comes in and out.
- Covered electrical sockets and secure fixtures in a furnished flat.
Comfort and daily life
- A generator that carries air-conditioning, not just lights and lifts, especially for homework and sleep in hot months.
- Reliable hot water from geysers, and good water pressure on upper floors.
- Somewhere to play: a community hall, rooftop, badminton court or pool. Several buildings in our listings include a badminton court or community hall, and a few have a swimming pool.
- At least two parking bays and a driver's waiting room.
- Good internet connectivity for online homework and video calls home.
Our guide to family apartments in Dhaka covers these points in more detail.
Family apartment options by school area
| School | Areas to shortlist | Furnished family rents in our listings (BDT/month) | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| American International School Dhaka (Baridhara) | Baridhara, Gulshan-2 | Around 150,000–350,000 for 4 bedrooms in Baridhara; up to 1,000,000 for a 6-bedroom residence; around 130,000–160,000 for 3 bedrooms in Gulshan | Quiet, security-conscious streets; larger homes with staff quarters |
| International School Dhaka (Bashundhara) | Bashundhara | Around 80,000–110,000 for 3 bedrooms; around 150,000 for 4 bedrooms | Newer buildings, larger floor plates, lower rents |
| Other international schools | The same side of the city as the campus | Depends on area; see the table below | Confirm campus location and bus routes with the school |
| Area | Properties | Lowest | Median | Highest | Avg sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulshan | 10 | BDT 70,000 | BDT 160,000 | BDT 300,000 | 2,387 |
| Baridhara | 8 | BDT 150,000 | BDT 350,000 | BDT 1,000,000 | 4,000 |
| Bashundhara | 7 | BDT 35,000 | BDT 80,000 | BDT 150,000 | 1,343 |
| Banani | 6 | BDT 120,000 | BDT 150,000 | BDT 200,000 | 2,767 |
| Uttara | 3 | BDT 90,000 | BDT 100,000 | BDT 300,000 | 3,220 |
| Mohammadpur | 1 | BDT 100,000 | BDT 100,000 | BDT 100,000 | 2,000 |
| Khulshi | 1 | BDT 35,000 | BDT 35,000 | BDT 35,000 | 1,600 |
| Nikunja | 1 | BDT 600,000 | BDT 600,000 | BDT 600,000 | 9,200 |
| Niketon | 1 | BDT 100,000 | BDT 100,000 | BDT 100,000 | 2,000 |
| Mirpur DOHS | 1 | BDT 60,000 | BDT 60,000 | BDT 60,000 | 900 |
Monthly rents in BDT, excluding service charge and utilities. Based on 39 residential properties. Updated 2026-11-08.
Tips for signing a family lease
- Align the lease start with the school term, and ask for a diplomatic or employer clause if your posting could end early.
- Ask the landlord to fix child-safety items, such as window locks and railings, before move-in, and write them into the agreement.
- Confirm the security deposit (usually two to three months' rent), the service charge and which utilities you pay.
- Do a photographed inventory at handover, including furniture condition.
If your employer is relocating your family, our corporate relocation service can shortlist school-friendly flats before you arrive.
Ask us on WhatsApp
Tell us which school your children will attend, how many bedrooms you need, your budget and your arrival date, and Rent Property will shortlist family apartments near the school. Message us on WhatsApp at +880 1784-222255; we usually reply within one working day.