Short answer: In our current listings, a furnished apartment for rent in Gulshan costs from about BDT 70,000 a month for a compact two-bedroom in Niketon, beside Gulshan-1, to BDT 160,000 for a fully furnished three-bedroom of around 2,200 sq ft. Larger family flats of 2,500–3,900 sq ft, mostly let unfurnished, run from BDT 160,000 to BDT 300,000, with service charge and utilities usually billed separately.
Gulshan is the address most foreign professionals ask for first when they are posted to Dhaka. It combines embassies, multinational offices, supermarkets, restaurants and lake-side residential roads in one compact district, and it has a deep supply of apartments that landlords already furnish for expatriate tenants. This guide explains how Gulshan is laid out, what "fully furnished" really means in practice, what our Gulshan listings rent for, and how to view a flat properly before you commit.
Why do expats choose Gulshan?
Three things keep Gulshan at the top of most relocation shortlists:
- Short daily journeys. Many embassies, international organisations and corporate head offices are in Gulshan or next door in Banani and Baridhara. In Dhaka traffic, living close to work matters more than almost anything else.
- Everyday convenience. Supermarkets, pharmacies, cafés, gyms and restaurants are within a short drive, and some are walkable from the quieter residential roads. United Hospital is in Gulshan.
- A ready market of expat-standard buildings. Landlords in Gulshan are used to foreign tenants, English-language leases, generator back-up and guarded entrances, which makes the search faster.
Gulshan-1 or Gulshan-2: which is better for expats?
Gulshan is divided into two halves, each built around a busy roundabout known as Gulshan-1 Circle and Gulshan-2 Circle, linked by Gulshan Avenue. Neither is simply "better"; they suit different routines.
| Factor | Gulshan-1 | Gulshan-2 |
|---|---|---|
| General feel | Busier and more commercial around the circle, with shopping and offices | More residential and diplomatic, with many embassies and quieter side roads |
| Housing mix | Large family flats and houses, plus compact furnished units in adjoining Niketon | Apartment blocks and duplexes, many already furnished for foreign tenants |
| Examples in our listings | 4-bedroom, 3,900 sq ft at BDT 250,000; furnished Niketon flats at BDT 70,000–75,000 | Fully furnished 3-bedroom on Road 96 at BDT 130,000; 2,700 sq ft duplex at BDT 200,000 |
| Best for | People who want shops and offices close by, or a lower-budget furnished flat in Niketon | Diplomats and families who want a calmer street close to embassies |
If your office is in Banani or on the Gulshan-1 side, a Gulshan-1 flat can save real time each day. If you work at an embassy in the diplomatic area or want a quieter street, start with Gulshan-2 and compare it with apartments in the Baridhara Diplomatic Zone.
Are the lake-side roads worth paying more for?
Gulshan Lake runs along the edge of the district, and the roads facing it are some of the most requested in Dhaka. A lake-facing flat usually offers more open views, better light and a calmer outlook than one hemmed in by neighbouring buildings. Landlords know this and price accordingly, and the best lake-view units are often let quickly.
Whether the premium is worth it depends on how much time you spend at home. For a family with young children, or anyone working from home part of the week, the view and the air can make a real difference. For someone who travels constantly, an inner-road flat with the same specification can be the better value.
What kinds of buildings will you find in Gulshan?
- Modern apartment blocks of eight to twelve storeys, often with one or two flats per floor, a lift, a guard room, CCTV and a standby generator.
- Duplex and triplex units spread over two or three floors, giving more privacy and more space for entertaining.
- Independent or near-independent houses, which are rarer and usually let unfurnished on longer leases.
- Serviced apartment buildings, where the rent may include housekeeping and utilities. See our serviced apartment service if you want everything on one monthly invoice.
Common features in our Gulshan listings include gas connections, geysers for hot water, intercoms, driver rooms, fire extinguishers, community halls and, in some buildings, badminton courts, gyms or roof terraces.
What does "fully furnished" include in a Gulshan apartment?
Listings in Dhaka use "furnished" and "fully furnished" loosely, so always ask for an inventory. A genuinely fully furnished flat should let you move in with suitcases only. Typically it includes:
- Beds, mattresses, wardrobes and bedside tables in every bedroom
- Sofas, a dining table and chairs, curtains and lighting
- Air-conditioning in the bedrooms and usually the living room
- A fitted kitchen with fridge, cooker, microwave and basic cookware
- A washing machine, and hot water via geysers
- Internet and cable TV connections ready to activate
"Furnished" on its own sometimes means furniture only, without kitchen equipment, linen or appliances. Some owners will add missing items before you move in if you ask at the offer stage. Our guide to furnished versus unfurnished apartments covers the trade-off in more detail.
How much does a furnished apartment in Gulshan cost?
These are the monthly rents in our current Gulshan listings, before service charge and utilities:
| Apartment | Size | Furnishing | Rent (BDT / month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms, Niketon (Gulshan-1) | 950 sq ft | Furnished | 70,000 |
| 3 bedrooms, Niketon (Gulshan-1) | 1,350 sq ft | Furnished / fully furnished | 75,000 |
| 3 bedrooms, Road 96, Gulshan-2 | 2,200 sq ft | Fully furnished | 130,000 |
| 3 bedrooms, Gulshan | 2,200 sq ft | Fully furnished | 160,000 |
| 3 bedrooms, Gulshan | 2,524 sq ft | Unfurnished | 160,000 |
| Duplex, Gulshan-2 | 2,700 sq ft | Unfurnished | 200,000 |
| 4 bedrooms, Gulshan-1 | 3,200–3,900 sq ft | Unfurnished | 250,000–300,000 |
So, from properties we list, a ready-to-live furnished flat in Gulshan sits roughly between BDT 70,000 and BDT 160,000 a month, and large family flats go higher. Prices change as flats are let, so check current Gulshan listings for what is available today. The table below compares residential rents across Dhaka areas:
| 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.
Budget separately for the service charge, electricity, gas where metered, internet and any domestic staff. Ask the landlord to state in writing what the rent includes.
Who does a Gulshan apartment suit?
- Diplomats and embassy staff who want to be near their mission and within an area familiar to their security office.
- Corporate and NGO staff on postings of five months to two years, who need a furnished home without buying furniture.
- Families who want space, a guarded building and easy access to shops, clinics and schools across Gulshan, Baridhara and Bashundhara.
- Couples and single professionals who prefer a smaller furnished flat in Niketon or a serviced unit with housekeeping included.
If Gulshan is above your budget, Banani offers a similar lifestyle with more restaurants and a denser feel; see our Banani apartment guide.
How should you view a Gulshan apartment?
- Visit at the times you will actually travel. Test the drive to your office in the morning peak before committing.
- Ask what the generator carries. Some generators run lifts and lights only; others also run air-conditioning.
- Check water pressure on the flat's floor, and ask about the pump and reserve tank.
- Walk the security set-up: guard room, CCTV, visitor logging and a controlled main gate.
- Find both fire exits and make sure neither is locked.
- Confirm parking in writing, including space for a driver to wait.
- Test the appliances and air-conditioners, and photograph everything for the handover inventory.
- Clarify the lease terms: minimum period, advance or deposit, notice period and who pays service charge. For example, one large Gulshan-1 flat we listed asked for a minimum two-year lease with three months' advance.
How Rent Property can help
Rent Property lists furnished and unfurnished homes across Gulshan and the neighbouring districts. Tell us your office location, dates, number of bedrooms and budget, and we will shortlist suitable flats, arrange viewings in person or by video if you are still overseas, and help you agree the terms in English. You can also browse all our properties first.
Ask us on WhatsApp
Looking for a furnished apartment in Gulshan? Message Rent Property on WhatsApp at +880 1784-222255 with your move-in date, budget and number of bedrooms. We usually reply within one working day, Saturday to Thursday, 9:00–19:00.