Lagos - Post Report Question and Answers
What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Diplomatic housing is nice considering the options in town. All apartments of varying sizes and on a secure compound. Commute time depends on traffic which at times can be very bad. - Mar 2024
Most expats live on one of two islands, Victoria or Ikoyi. Pretty much most of your existence is going to be on these islands. There is also a large gated community called Banana Island that is more secluded. Most people live in apartment complexes that are gated, have community rooms, gyms and swimming pools. I think most families live in roughly four bedroom apartments. - Aug 2020
Mission has four housing complexes, most are apartments, there are a few older townhouses. Housing is all at least three bedrooms with at least three bathrooms. All complexes (except the townhouses) have a pool and the housing is well-sized and secure. There are occasional mainenance issues, but local staff are very responsive to addressing any concerns. One of the complexes has had some flooding issues on occasion. There are rumors that new housing will soon be acquired. - Jul 2020
During the time we were there, members of the Consulate community lived in one of four housing compounds. Most folks live in either Regents (high rise, the newest, predominantly singles and couples) or Cameron (mostly families, described very well by other respondents). Some live in the Bells (fairly random mix, only townhouses but no pool/gym) and Glover (down the street from Regents and similarly populated). All are on Ikoyi and have basically identical commute times of about 20-25 minutes door to door. From what I observed, Bells and Glover have the fewest water/mold-related maintenance issues. It seems like the housing pool switches every few years, possibly because of the very low construction standards. However, construction issues aside, generally very nice. Each of the current units has its own strengths and drawbacks. - Jun 2019
We lived in a notoriously bad apartment building, but the consulate has since relocated all of the residents. Housing is a decent size and locations aren't bad on the weekends, but attempting to move around in the city during the week can be a gridlocked nightmare. - Aug 2018
It's nice. Almost all USG employees (singles and couples with 1 or no kids) live in Regents Tower, a brand new complex with huge, open-plan apartments and a tennis court, or in Cameron, which is mostly higher-ranking employees and families with several kids. A few others (mostly singles) live in Glover, which is the only compound that includes non-Americans. All housing complexes have pools and gyms. - Mar 2018
There are three main housing compounds for consulate staff and their families. One building tends to get the families, the other all the single and childless couples. The third is a mix and is the only one which includes non-Consulate residents. All of the complexes have pools, barbecues, and gym facilities. These are kept in reasonable shape. Lagos is one of the few posts in the world where the regular commute includes a boat ride. There are shuttles in the morning that run people to the dock. From there, there's a ferry to the Consulate. A typical commute is about 20 minutes if timed right. - May 2016
There are the Bells, townhome style older, government owned properties. Not a high quality spot, but they're quiet. Tarino is a former hotel, which is full of mold and located right on the main road on Ikoyi. It's mainly for singles or couples without kids. Cameron is the nicest, but it's mainly for families with kids. All of them aren't far from the GQ, where embassy folks take a boat to the Consulate. Without the boats, the commute would be 2 hours and there's no where to park. The GQ makes getting to work actually feasible. - Nov 2015
Town Houses, Condos and apartment compounds are common on the islands. Two bridges connect Ikoyi and Victoria Islands, and rush hour traffic can be awful (30-40 minutes to move around the islands). But generally, if you live and work on the islands, your commute is under 30 minutes. Indian and Lebanese grocery stores, restaurants, bakeries and stores are all within 20 minutes. Many expats use the waterways to travel from home to work. It is exotic, convenient, and you avoid the "go slows", vendors, beggars, and crime. - Dec 2011
Consulate families with children generally lived on Ikoyi. Singles and those without school-aged children lived on either Ikoyi or Victoria Island (consulate is on the latter). Most housing is 2-storey town-house style, with about 6-8 units per compound. Some were 2-3 bdrm apts -- advantage if you're lucky to get one of the higher floors, disadvantage if the electricity (i.e. elevator) is not working as is often the case. CG, Marines and Non-State agencies have large detached houses. Commute time 45 mins from Ikoyi if you drive; 10 mins if you take the Consulate boat. Nigerian construction can look good externally, but is shoddy beneath the paint. Expect plumbing, electrical and structural problems; GSO works overtime to keep facilities up. - Sep 2008
Homes located throughout Victoria Island, Iokyi Island, can take up to an hour to get to Consulate. It's about a ten mile ride. - May 2008
