Short answer: The best area to live in Dhaka for expats depends on who you are. Baridhara suits diplomats and families at the American International School; Gulshan is the all-round choice for senior professionals; Banani suits single professionals who want restaurants on the doorstep; Bashundhara offers newer, larger flats for families at lower rents; and Uttara and Niketon are the budget-friendly options.
Almost every expatriate who moves to Dhaka asks the same question first: where should we live? The honest answer is that there is no single best neighbourhood, only the best fit for your office, your children's school, your budget and how much you value quiet over convenience. This guide compares the six areas where Rent Property places most foreign tenants, using rents from our own current listings rather than guesswork.
How should you choose an area in Dhaka?
Start with three questions, in this order:
- Where is the daily commute? Dhaka traffic turns short distances into long journeys at peak times. Living on the same side of the city as your office, or your children's school, matters more than any single amenity.
- What does your employer or mission require? Many embassies, UN agencies and international companies have housing rules on location, security and budget. Check them before you view anything.
- What is your real budget? Include the security deposit (usually two to three months' rent), the monthly service charge and utilities, not only the headline rent.
Comparing the best areas to live in Dhaka for expats
The rents below are furnished or fully furnished apartments from properties we currently list or have recently let. They are a guide, not a quote, and exclude service charge and utilities.
| Area | Character | Best suited to | Furnished rent in our listings (BDT/month) | Commute notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulshan | Diplomatic and corporate hub around Gulshan Lake and the Gulshan-1 and Gulshan-2 circles; restaurants, supermarkets, United Hospital | Senior professionals, families, anyone working in Gulshan | Around 130,000–160,000 for a 3-bedroom of about 2,200 sq ft | Short trips to Gulshan and Banani offices; the circles are congested at peak times |
| Banani | Dense, lively mix of offices, restaurants and modern residential towers, with Road 11 as its main dining street | Single professionals, couples, mid-to-senior staff | Around 120,000–170,000 for 3–4 bedrooms | Next to Gulshan, with quick access to Airport Road and Mohakhali |
| Baridhara | The Diplomatic Zone: quiet, green, controlled access roads, many embassies and ambassadorial residences | Diplomats, embassy and UN staff, families at the American International School Dhaka | Around 150,000 for a 4-bedroom, rising to 350,000 for larger 4-bedroom flats and 1,000,000 for a 6-bedroom residence | Very short commute within the enclave and to Gulshan |
| Bashundhara | Newer residential area with larger floor plates, International School Dhaka and Evercare Hospital Dhaka | Families, budget-conscious professionals, staff with offices on Progoti Sarani | Around 80,000–110,000 for a 3-bedroom; 150,000 for a 4-bedroom; one-bedroom flats from around 35,000 | Gulshan is close on the map, but Progoti Sarani traffic can slow peak-hour trips |
| Uttara | Planned northern township with wide sector roads, close to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport | Frequent flyers, aviation staff, budget-conscious tenants | Around 90,000 for a 3-bedroom of about 2,000 sq ft | Near the airport and the metro line; the drive south to Gulshan can be long at peak times |
| Niketon | Quiet, compact residential pocket in Gulshan-1 beside Hatirjheel | Single professionals and couples who want a Gulshan address for less | Around 70,000 for a 2-bedroom and 75,000 for a 3-bedroom of about 1,350 sq ft | Close to Gulshan-1 and the Hatirjheel road links |
For the full range, including unfurnished homes, see the live rent table below.
| 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.
Gulshan: the all-round expat address
Gulshan is where many embassies, multinational offices, international restaurants and supermarkets sit, which makes daily life straightforward for newcomers. Buildings range from older low-rise blocks to modern towers with generators, lifts and guard rooms. The trade-off is traffic around the Gulshan-1 and Gulshan-2 circles and competition for the best flats. Browse our Gulshan apartments or read our furnished apartments in Gulshan guide.
Banani: for convenience and a social life
Banani is busier and more walkable than its neighbours. Offices, cafés and restaurants are close together, so it suits people who want to walk to dinner and keep commutes short. Flats are typically in modern towers, and rents in our listings sit close to Gulshan. It can be noisier, so ask for a unit away from the main roads if you sleep lightly. See apartments in Banani.
Baridhara: the Diplomatic Zone
Baridhara is the quietest and most security-conscious of the central areas, with controlled access roads and a high concentration of embassies and diplomatic residences. It is also where the American International School Dhaka is located, which makes it a strong choice for families with children there. It has the highest rents in our listings, and larger homes with staff quarters and several parking bays are common. See Baridhara apartments.
Bashundhara: space and value for families
Bashundhara Residential Area has newer buildings, wider roads and larger flats for the money. International School Dhaka and Evercare Hospital Dhaka are both here, so families at that school can keep the school run very short. Everyday shopping and dining are improving but less concentrated than in Gulshan. See Bashundhara apartments.
Uttara: near the airport
Uttara works well for people who fly often, work near the airport or want more space for a smaller budget. The metro line gives it a fast link south along its corridor. The main drawback is distance from Gulshan and Baridhara at peak hours, so it suits people whose work is not in the diplomatic districts. See Uttara apartments.
Niketon: a Gulshan address for less
Niketon is a residential pocket in Gulshan-1, next to Hatirjheel. Flats are more compact, which keeps rents lower, and the streets are calmer than the main Gulshan roads. It is a sensible choice for a single professional or a couple who want to be near Gulshan without paying Gulshan-2 rents.
Which area is best for you? Recommendations by persona
Diplomat or embassy staff
Baridhara first, then Gulshan. Short trips to the mission, controlled access roads and buildings that often already meet embassy security expectations. Your security office will usually need to approve the specific building, so read our embassy-standard security checklist before viewings.
Family with school-age children
Live near the school. For the American International School Dhaka, look at Baridhara and nearby Gulshan. For International School Dhaka, Bashundhara is the natural choice. Look for three or more bedrooms, a generator that carries air-conditioning, a play area or community hall and parking for two cars. Our guide to apartments near international schools in Dhaka goes further.
Single professional
Banani or Niketon. Banani offers the liveliest neighbourhood with a short commute to Gulshan and Banani offices; Niketon gives you a quieter Gulshan-1 base at lower rents. A furnished two- or three-bedroom flat keeps things simple on a one- or two-year posting.
Budget-conscious tenant
Bashundhara, Uttara or Niketon. In our current listings, a furnished three-bedroom in Bashundhara is around BDT 80,000–110,000 and in Uttara around BDT 90,000, against around BDT 130,000–160,000 in Gulshan. Check the commute at rush hour before you commit, because time saved can matter as much as money.
What else should you check before choosing?
- Waterlogging. Ask whether the street floods during heavy monsoon rain.
- Generator coverage. Confirm whether back-up power runs air-conditioning or only lights and lifts.
- Parking. Allocated bays and a driver's waiting room should be written into the lease.
- Noise and construction. Look for building work on neighbouring plots.
- Your employer's housing rules. Confirm location, budget and security requirements in writing.
Still undecided? Browse all available properties or read our moving to Dhaka checklist.
Ask us on WhatsApp
Tell us where you will work, your children's school, your budget and your move date, and Rent Property will suggest the areas and furnished flats that fit. Message us on WhatsApp at +880 1784-222255; we usually reply within one working day.