Rent or Buy?

The general advice for anyone relocating to Pakistan is to rent for at least 12 months.

Renting here is much cheaper, and you can avoid large moving costs by simply settling into a furnished home right away. After a year, you'll have a much better idea of whether you want to continue renting or purchase a property.

Also, many expat families tend to move homes after their first year anyway. Because of this, I always advise people not to stress too much about their very first home. As long as it provides the necessary amenities and meets your basic needs, give it a try!

Location, location, location..

Generally, your choice of home should be driven by its location.

First, I highly recommend settling in a large city such as Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, or Karachi. Within that city, aim for a spot that offers a budget-friendly home while still being reasonably close to your children's schools and any essential amenities you rely on.

The main point is this: don't make living in Pakistan any harder than it needs to be! Prioritise convenience and comfort.

Budget?

Try not to focus on finding the "perfect" home, as the best ones often come with a very high price tag.

I recently saw an expat home with a rent of £2,000 per month. However, that family is planning to move out a year later because rent here typically increases by 10% annually. They are now looking for a home at half that cost, which means they have to relocate to an entirely different part of Islamabad.

This shows why it's so important to be realistic about your long-term budget, as it directly impacts your choice of neighborhood.

an aerial view of a city with lots of trees

Where do Expats live?

I always get the same question: Where do expats mainly live? Where are you most likely to bump into a fellow expat or find a hang-out spot?

The simple answer is that we live absolutely everywhere.

You are most likely to encounter a foreigner working in one of the many embassies, typically in areas like F-6, F-7, or F-8 in Islamabad. Outside of those specific areas, however, it's very unlikely you'll bump into another expat on a daily basis.

Bahria Town Phase 8

This is a gated community in Rawalpindi known for being budget-friendly. A huge plus is that electricity is available here 24/7, which is why many expat families choose to live here. You can find a portion of a small home starting from as low as £100 per month.

DHA 2

This society is arguably the best gated community in the South of Islamabad. It avoids the "downtown Islamabad" price tag while still offering fantastic parks, amenities, Giga Mall, and some of the best security around.

Unlike many other gated communities, DHA 2 is mostly built out and full of residents, which means finding an available home can be difficult. However, it's worth the search, as a portion of a 1-kanal home can cost around £300 per month.

D12 Islamabad

This area is a CDA sector, placing it squarely in downtown Islamabad. However, because it's not as central or developed as some other sectors, it avoids the extremely high rent prices.

You can often find a 5-Marla full home here for around £300 per month. While the condition of the home may not be top-tier, sometimes location is the most important factor for your family.

Bahria Enclave

This society is technically considered part of Islamabad, though it is tucked away behind the hills. This means driving into downtown Islamabad will still take you up to 30 minutes, which is why the rent prices remain low.

This area is full of parks and has a growing community, but it is currently heavily undeveloped. However, in 10 to 15 years, it is projected to be a thriving society. Right now, a portion of a 1-kanal home here can cost around £300 per month.