Short answer: most expat families in Dhaka rent a three- or four-bedroom apartment in Gulshan, Baridhara, Banani or Bashundhara, chosen around the school run first. In our current listings, three-bedroom family flats in Gulshan range from about BDT 75,000 to BDT 160,000 a month, and four-bedroom flats across the prime areas from about BDT 150,000 to BDT 350,000.
Finding a family apartment in Dhaka as an expat is different from finding a flat for one person. Commute times to school, somewhere for children to play, safe balconies, a reliable generator and room for household staff all matter more than a smart lobby. This guide covers what expat families usually look for, which areas suit them and what three- and four-bedroom apartments cost in the listings Rent Property currently holds.
How many bedrooms does an expat family need in Dhaka?
Most families with one or two children choose three bedrooms: a main bedroom and two children's rooms, or one children's room and a study or guest room. Families with three or more children, frequent visitors or a parent working from home usually need four.
Floor area varies widely. In our listings, three-bedroom flats run from around 1,350 sq ft to about 3,000 sq ft, and four-bedroom flats from around 2,000 sq ft to 3,900 sq ft. A family that entertains or has older children will feel the difference between 1,500 and 2,500 sq ft far more than a couple would.
How much is a 3 bedroom apartment for rent in Gulshan for a family?
From properties we list, three-bedroom apartments in Gulshan range from BDT 75,000 per month for a furnished 1,350 sq ft flat to BDT 160,000 for a larger 2,200–2,524 sq ft unit. Four-bedroom options in Gulshan that we list or have recently let are larger, unfurnished homes at around BDT 250,000–300,000.
| Area | 3-bedroom (BDT / month) | 4-bedroom (BDT / month) |
|---|---|---|
| Gulshan | 75,000–160,000 | 250,000–300,000 (unfurnished) |
| Banani | 120,000–200,000 | 150,000–170,000 (furnished) |
| Baridhara | 300,000–350,000 (unfurnished) | 150,000–350,000 (furnished) |
| Bashundhara | 80,000–110,000 (furnished) | around 150,000 (fully furnished) |
| Uttara | 90,000–100,000 | — |
These ranges come from our current and recent listings and exclude service charge and utilities. Rent reflects size, building and furnishing as much as the area, so treat the table as a guide to where to start, not a price list.
Which Dhaka areas are best for expat families?
- Gulshan has the widest choice of family flats, the lake, restaurants and supermarkets, and is close to many offices. United Hospital is in Gulshan.
- Baridhara is quieter, with controlled roads in the Diplomatic Zone and larger apartments. American International School Dhaka is in Baridhara, which makes it popular with families whose children attend.
- Banani offers good-sized three- and four-bedroom flats and is lively and walkable, though some streets are busy.
- Bashundhara has newer buildings and more space for the money. International School Dhaka and Evercare Hospital Dhaka are both in Bashundhara.
For a fuller comparison, see the best areas to live in Dhaka for expats.
Why should you choose the school before the apartment?
In Dhaka, a short distance on the map can mean a long drive in the morning peak. Children may spend more time in the car than in the classroom if the flat is on the wrong side of a busy road. Most families confirm the school place first and then look within a short drive of it. Check school admissions, fees and transport directly with each school. Our guide to apartments near international schools in Dhaka explains how to plan around the school run.
Where can children play in Dhaka?
Outdoor space is limited in central Dhaka, so it pays to look at what the building itself offers:
- Rooftops and gardens: some buildings have a usable rooftop or a small ground-floor garden. Ask whether residents can use it and whether the edges are properly railed.
- Courts: quite a few buildings in our listings have a badminton court, which doubles as a safe play area.
- Community halls: many buildings have a community hall that residents can use for birthday parties and rainy-day play.
- Pools: swimming pools are relatively uncommon in Dhaka apartment buildings; a handful of our listings have one.
- Lakes and parks: Gulshan Lake and the Baridhara lakeside offer paths for walks and cycling, and neighbourhood parks are scattered across Gulshan and Banani.
Many families also rely on school facilities and clubs for sport and swimming at weekends.
What child-safety features should you check?
- Balcony and window grills: check that every balcony and low window has secure grills or railings with gaps too narrow for a child to climb through. Ask the landlord to add or fix them before you move in.
- Pool fencing: if there is a pool, it should be fenced with a self-closing gate, and you should know when a lifeguard or attendant is present, if at all.
- Rooftop access: a lockable door and proper parapet height.
- Lifts and stairs: working lift doors and stair gates where needed inside the flat.
- Electrical safety: covered sockets, no exposed wiring and a working earth connection, especially near water heaters.
- Kitchen: gas cooker shut-off within reach of adults but away from children.
- Fire safety: two protected exits from the building and working extinguishers.
- Security: controlled entry, a guard on duty and CCTV at the entrance.
Which hospitals are near the main family areas?
Two well-known private hospitals sit close to the main expat districts: United Hospital in Gulshan and Evercare Hospital Dhaka in Bashundhara. Before you choose a flat, check the travel time to your preferred hospital at the hours you might need it, confirm what your health insurance covers and keep the hospital numbers saved in your phone.
Do family apartments in Dhaka have staff quarters?
Many do. Larger family flats often include a small staff room and bathroom, usually off the kitchen, and a large share of the residential buildings in our listings have a driver's room or waiting area. If you plan to employ a live-in housekeeper or nanny, ask to see the staff room and check ventilation and access. Our guide to domestic staff in Dhaka covers hiring and working arrangements.
Should a family rent furnished or unfurnished?
It depends on the length of the posting and whether you are shipping your own furniture. Families on two- or three-year assignments with a sea shipment often prefer an unfurnished flat, so children can sleep in their own beds. Families on shorter postings, or those arriving before their shipment, usually find a furnished flat far easier. As the table above shows, several of the larger four-bedroom homes we list are unfurnished, while most furnished family flats are three-bedroom units. If you need both space and furniture, start the search early, and ask whether a landlord will furnish an unfurnished flat for a longer lease.
What else matters for a family apartment?
- Generator back-up that carries air-conditioning, not only lights and lifts.
- Two lifts in taller buildings, so a pushchair and shopping are manageable when one is under repair.
- Parking for the family car, plus space for the driver to wait.
- Water pressure and hot water in every bathroom.
- Storage for toys, prams and suitcases.
- Noise from main roads, construction or late-night venues.
When you are ready, browse available properties and filter by bedrooms and area.
Ask us on WhatsApp
Tell us your children's ages, the school you are considering, the number of bedrooms and your budget, and we will shortlist family apartments close to the school run. Message Rent Property on WhatsApp at +880 1784-222255. We usually reply within one working day, Saturday to Thursday.