Let’s not sugarcoat it, there are places in Lagos only billionaires can afford, or at least those close to it. I once came across a nice post, the first line literally drew the ‘God abeg’ out of my lips. It was about the places in Lagos you can live in ‘when you become a billionaire’ which cracked me up ’cause, where’s the lie in that? I mean, we’re talking about ultramodern places full of expensive houses, skyscraping offices, art galleries, scenic beaches, among others. Average shop rent in these neighborhoods can purchase a dozen of my small apartments or even more, but we bless God for life.
Most Expensive Places in Lagos
1. Banana Island
2. Ikoyi
3. Eko Atlantic City
4. Victoria Island
5. Lekki
The conclusion is, these neighborhoods are for the richest men and women within and also outside the country. Here are some of the most expensive places to live in Lagos:
5 Most Expensive Places in Lagos
1. Banana Island
First time I stepped into a part of this neighborhood to meet a client, all I could say was ‘levels'(if you know what I mean). The neighborhood practically screams extravagance and the highest level of class.
Think of castle-looking houses with pools, gyms, or even private jets, this is not a mere hype, they do exist in Banana Island. Or offices that could pass as mansions, you might enter and never want to leave. Banana Island is highly guarded and secured, a man-made island off Ikoyi’s coastline with restricted access. It also offers a view of the famous Lekki Phase 1 and Victoria Island. Some of the prominent locations in Banana Island are:
Lake Point Twin Towers (Office)
Ocean Parade Towers (Residential Apartment)
Echina Courts (Residential Apartment)
Airtel Headquarters, Nigeria (Office)
Casa Marbela(Residential Apartment)
Average Price for Rent: ₦60,000,000 per annum
2. Ikoyi
In Ikoyi, you also get to see jaw-dropping houses, sophisticated restaurants, bars & clubs, and grand shops. Ikoyi is so unique, you’ll find different kinds of houses, some modern, while some date back to the colonial period. This means some locations are quite historic, but that doesn’t make them cheap, though.
And then, there is the lush greenery! Some streets feature long rows of trees. Imagine yearning for a quiet stroll in your neighborhood, you don’t get to worry about dressing up for an outing and looking for a perfect location, it’s just you in your tee and shorts with your earphones plugged in. Try that in a typical Lagos street, and what you’ll be thinking about is not peace, it’s escaping untimely death in the hands of a crazy driver who’s probably not keeping to his lane or getting robbed by a professional thief. Some of the gems Ikoyi boasts of are:
Ogirikan Art Gallery
Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Lagos.
Synagogue Church of All Nations
National Museum, Lagos
Quintessence Gallery
Elegushi Royal Beach
Lekki Conservation Centre
3. Eko Atlantic City
I think for me, I initially found it positive but also funny when I learnt that Eko Atlantic City is not considered developed, but still in the early phase. I mean, it houses so many contemporary destinations and world-class facilities like private yachts, great residential areas, shopping malls, and a picturesque view of the ocean, so what more? The typical Nigerian in me wondered what was there to develop again. Today, I wonder what’s next? More please! Lagos is making its mark, not only in Nigeria and Africa generally, but also in the entire world. It’s an urbanizing area that hasn’t reached its full potential, but in a few years to come, Eko Atlantic City might just be the most developed and expensive place in Lagos.
Average Price for Rent: ₦55,000,000
4. Victoria Island
I’ve always known about how sophisticated and expensive Victoria Island is since I was a teenager, that’s way before moving to Lagos. This article is incomplete without mentioning Victoria Island, a home to many lively bars and nightclubs, jetties, fine dining restaurants, fast food, and classy lounges. It’s prominent for its residential areas, intersecting roads, and commercial centre that has fostered so many international deals. Victoria Island boasts of:
Mega Plaza
Oniru Beach
1004 Housing Estate
Red Door Gallery
Silverbird Cinemas
SPAR Shopping Mall
Filmhouse Cinemas
Average Price for Rent: ₦15,000,000 per annum
5. Lekki
Although expensive, prices are lower in Lekki compared to the places previously discussed. Also, Lekki Phase 1 is known to be more expensive than Lekki Phase 2. Each has its unique attraction, and of course, they never fail to disappoint when it comes to beauty and luxury. Generally, Lekki is home to beaches, top-notch schools, high-end restaurants, vibrant bars and clubs, tourist gems, luxurious estates, and shopping malls. Examples of these are
Xovar (Club with bar)
Lekki Conservation Centre
Chevyview Estate
Atlantic Shopping and Entertainment Centre
Crown Estate
Miclas College
Average Price for Rent: ₦2.5 million- ₦5 million per annum
If you read through carefully, you’d realize these places are totally worth their prices. Expensive lifestyle and serenity aside, what I love the most is the tight security. Most of us walk through our neighborhoods like we’re constantly being watched by petty thieves, even up to our doorsteps, or we live like our houses could get robbed anytime, both in broad daylight and nighttime, and you wonder, ‘What kind of life is this?’. In all, Lagos is a beautiful city catering to both the expensive and less expensive, and guess what, each place has its own gems.
If you’re living in any part of Lagos or you’re a visitor, feel free to drop your experience or more suggestions in the comments.
