Akure, the capital of Ondo State, is growing steadily. With increased population, infrastructure development, and real estate expansion, many are looking for neighbourhoods that combine comfort, safety, value, and convenience.
Here are some of the best places to live in Akure, what they offer, what to watch out for, and how to pick the right one.
What People Usually Want
Before listing neighbourhoods, it helps to know what most people consider important when choosing where to live. These often include:
- Safety and security (gated estates, patrols, good lighting)
- Access to roads, ease of commute to work, school, markets
- Utility reliability (power, water, internet)
- Amenities: schools, health facilities, shops, recreation
- Peace and environment (green areas, quiet streets)
- Value: rent or purchase cost vs what you get
Top Neighbourhoods & Estates in Akure
Here are several areas in Akure that regularly come up as good choices. They cater to different budgets, lifestyles, and priorities.
Alagbaka / Alagbaka GRA
What’s good about it:
- One of Akure’s most prestigious and expensive zones.
- Government Reserved Area (GRA), so higher standard of planning, roads, security.
- Notable developments such as Medorf Residence Estate (a gated mini-estate) in Alagbaka GRA: modern amenities, higher-end finishes, gated security.
- Properties here tend to hold value well. Listings show luxury duplexes, modern houses, etc.
What to watch out for:
- Very high cost: purchasing or renting here is more expensive. For instance, three-bedroom modern duplexes in Alagbaka can go for tens of millions of naira.
- As demand is high, there can be traffic congestion in certain parts during peak hours.
Best for:
- Professionals, executives, families who want prestige, security and don’t mind paying more.
- People who want closeness to government offices, services, and high-end schools and shops.
Ijapo Housing Estate
What’s good about it:
- One of the older, more established estates. Well-planned, with decent roads and layout.
- Slightly more affordable (than Alagbaka) but still offering many of the amenities people care about.
- Good infrastructure relative to older, non-estate areas.
What to watch out for:
- Some communal facilities may be inadequate or in need of maintenance. Surveys have noted that available communal facilities in Alagbaka and Ijapo are not always fully sufficient.
- Depending on the exact parcel, water supply or electricity reliability might drop during certain seasons.
Best for:
- Middle class families, people who want balance — good environment, better cost versus top-end areas.
- Those who work in or near central Akure but want to avoid the highest property prices.
Estates & Emerging Areas
These are newer or less crowded, potentially offering good value for people willing to compromise a bit on proximity or prestige.
- Medorf Residence Estate (Alagbaka GRA) — although high-end, it’s a newer option within Alagbaka. Offers modern gated mini-estate lifestyle.
- Bethel Estate, Pelebe Estate, Pelebe / Oda Road areas — more affordable estates are available here. People looking for plots or moderately large houses might find bargains. Listings in Bethel Estate, Pelebe Estate, etc. show properties for lower sums compared to the luxury zone.
- Graceland Estate, Oba Ile — some estates in Oba Ile offer more land, quieter surrounds, somewhat further from central Akure but possibly more peaceful.
Other Notable Areas & Quarters
If someone is more budget-constrained or wants a more “old town” feel, there are quarters and traditional neighbourhoods:
- Oja Oba, Arakale, Ijoka, Ijomu, Ayedun Quarters — these are among the older parts of Akure. They may not have estates, but proximity to markets, traditional commerce, and lower rents make them appealing.
- Oba Ile – parts of Oba Ile offer estates or relatively quiet residential zones.
Costs & What to Expect
Here are some estimates, so people have concrete numbers.
- The average price of houses for sale in Akure is about ₦86,000,000, though this varies widely by location, size, and amenities.
- Houses in cheaper or less central areas might go for ₦20,000,000 or lower for more modest or older properties.
- For land: Some affordable land in developing estates (outside prime areas) might be sold for as low as ₦2,000,000 for a 600 sqm plot.
- Rental: Common rents in good estates or desirable neighbourhoods are significantly higher. (Exact numbers depend heavily on size, finishing, security).
Security, Infrastructure & Environment
- Security tends to be much better in gated estates and high-end areas like Alagbaka GRA and Medorf Residence. These usually have perimeter fencing, controlled gate access, CCTV etc.
- However, security is not perfect everywhere: transit crimes in Akure (taxi, motorcycles) have been reported, especially along major roads such as Oba-Adesida Road and Arakale Road. People choosing residences should consider how far they are from such roads.
- Communal facilities (parks, recreation, drainage, markets) are sometimes inadequate in older or more congested neighbourhoods. Estates tend to plan better for this.
How to Choose Based on Priorities
Here is a quick decision guide people can use:
| Priority | Areas to Consider | Advantages | Considerations / Compromises |
|---|---|---|---|
| High security + prestige | Alagbaka GRA (especially new luxurious estates like Medorf) | Best infrastructure, status, amenities | High cost; likely longer commute to some shops if you venture outside the area |
| Good family home, more affordable | Ijapo Estate; Oba Ile Estates; newer estates farther from centre | More land, quieter, more reasonable prices | Utilities momentum may lag; commute or access to central services might be longer |
| Budget / starter / student | Older quarters (Ijoka, Ijomu, etc.); simpler dwellings outside premium zones | Lower rent, proximity to markets and public transit | Less amenities; possibly lower reliability of power/water; more crowded |
| Investors | Areas seeing growth: estates just emerging, land in developing estates, plots in outskirts | Potential appreciation; ability to design builds to demand | Infrastructure may not yet be fully in place; risk of speculative or fraudulent land titles; commuting difficulties |
Tips for People Moving to Akure or Choosing a Place
- Visit at different times of day (morning, evening) to assess traffic, noise, safety.
- Check utility reliability: ask neighbours about power, water, internet.
- Investigate title documentation carefully (government allocation, C of O, deed of assignment).
- See what communal infrastructure exists: drainage, paved roads, waste removal, parks.
- Budget not just for purchase/rent but maintenance, security fees in estates, property rates, possibly generator or inverter costs.
- Consider future growth: proximity to roads, expansion of city, future amenities (e.g. schools, hospitals, shopping).
Conclusion
Akure offers many excellent places to live — from high-end, secure estates in Alagbaka GRA, to quieter and more affordable estates further out, to older quarters with charm and convenience. The “best” area depends heavily on what a person values most: security, prestige, low cost, quiet, proximity etc.
