When it comes to the most livable cities in the country, Islamabad definitely tops the list. Not only does the federal capital boasts high-quality health care, education and lifestyle but it is also famous among travellers for its picturesque landscape and various tourist attractions. In fact, moving to Islamabad appears to be a popular option among both expatriates and those who live here.
Meanwhile, Karachi continues to be the biggest and the most populous cities in Pakistan with an extremely diverse population. Every year, a large number of people from all across the country make their way to the ‘City of Lights’ in hopes to find better job opportunities or to pursue higher education.
However, if you want to take a break from the fast-paced life of Karachi and move to a big city that’s relatively peaceful and quiet, moving to Islamabad is pretty much your only option.
Needless to say, moving homes is stressful enough, moving cities can be extremely overwhelming. So, if you’re thinking about shifting from Karachi to Islamabad and don’t know where to begin, here are a few tips that might help you out.
Why Islamabad is a Great City to Live
People could have a host of different reasons for moving from Karachi to Islamabad. However, the lush green Margalla Hills surrounding the meticulously-planned city is one of the reasons why Islamabad is considered the most beautiful place to live in Pakistan.
Moreover, since there are no rickshaws or buses, the city also has a lower level of air pollution. The situation of traffic in Islamabad is also not as bad as other major cities. Being the capital city of Pakistan, the city also has a number of good schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, clinics, shopping malls and recreation spots.
Furthermore, given the fact that the city is home to the families of diplomats and foreign dignitaries along with high-ranking government and military officials, the security in Islamabad is considerably better.
For those who love art, Islamabad hosts a number of national and international exhibitions, music shows, concerts, plays and sports competitions throughout the year. In addition to that, the city houses headquarters and offices of various national and multi-national companies. That means looking for job opportunities won’t be difficult either.
Karachi vs Islamabad Lifestyle
One of the biggest misconceptions about living in Islamabad is that life here is boring. Now, the city might not be as fast-paced as Karachi, but there is also no shortage of recreational spots and restaurants that are open until midnight in the city. In fact, Islamabad also has a vibrant nightlife.
Not to mention, the population in Islamabad is almost just as diverse as Karachi’s. Over the past decade or so, the population of the federal capital has more than doubled. This is because people from nearby towns and cities have moved here in pursuit of a better lifestyle. Therefore, it’s safe to say going to Islamabad from Karachi is probably not going to be as much of a cultural shift as you might be expecting.
Furthermore, Islamabad has some of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in the country offering a wide range of housing options. The buying trends of the property in Islamabad vary with each area. But compared to Karachi, living in Islamabad can be a little more costly.
However, if you’re looking for a serene environment with fewer traffic jams and more greenery, making this cross-country move is definitely worth it.
Top Areas to Buy Property in Islamabad
Before you start packing your belongings for your big move, research which areas are most suitable to live in Islamabad. Ideally, your new home should be near your workplace. Also, if you have children, make sure there are good schools and parks in the vicinity.
According to the popularity index on Zameen.com, DHA Islamabad, Gulberg and Bahria Town are the top areas to buy property in Islamabad with a total search result of 14.9%, 8.8% and 7.3% respectively.
Take a look at the real estate trends in these area before moving to Islamabad,
DHA Defence
In terms of price, the buying trend of a 5 marla house in DHA Islamabad ranges between PKR 23 lakh and PKR 1.6 crore. On the other hand, the cost of a 10 marla unit in the area varies from PKR 1.6 crore to PKR 3.2 crore, depending on the area. The price of 1 kanal houses for sale can be a bit steep and ranges between PKR 3.1 crore and PKR 7 crore.
If you’re looking for apartments for sale in Defence Islamabad, a 1-bed apartment in the area is priced between PKR 21.5 lakh and PKR 64.9 lakh. You can buy a 2-bedroom flat for somewhere around PKR 35 lakh and PKR 1.3 crore. Meanwhile, a 3-bedroom option costs from PKR 45 lakh to PKR 1.9 crore, depending on the project.
Gulberg Islamabad
As for Gulberg Islamabad, the buying trend of 1-bedroom flats starts from PKR 12 lakh and goes up to 64 lakh while the cost of 2-bedroom apartments in the area varies between PKR 21 lakh to PKR 1.9 crore. Depending on the project, you can buy a 3-bed unit in Gulberg for around PKR 45 lakh to 1.2 crore.
Bahria Town Islamabad
If you’re planning to buy a house in Bahria Town Islamabad, the biggest gated-community in the city, the price of a 5 marla unit varies between PKR 95 lakh and PKR 1.6 crore. Furthermore, a 10 marla unit in the area costs from PKR 1.8 crore to PKR 3.3 crore. The prices of 1 kanal houses in Bahria Town range between PKR 3 crore and PKR 6 crore.
People who plan on buying flats in Bahria Town Islamabad can purchase a 1-bedroom apartment between the prices of PKR 25 lakh and PKR 78 lakh. On the other hand, 2-bedroom flat costs from PKR 48 lakh to PKR 1.35 crore. Meanwhile, a 3-bedroom unit is priced between PKR 95 lakh and 1.35 crore.
Weather in Islamabad
Just like going on a trip, you need to pack proper clothes while moving to a different city.
Compared to Karachi, the summers in Islamabad are a lot more tolerable as the temperature ranges between 34 degrees Celsius to 38 degrees Celsius on an average. The hot season starts towards the end of April and lasts until late August or even early September.
Meanwhile, the winter season in Islamabad starts in November and lasts till March. During these months, the temperature can drop down to even 2 degrees Celsius.
Therefore, depending on which month you are planning to move to Islamabad, you’ll need to pack appropriate clothes – especially if you have young children.
How Can You Move To Islamabad
One of the things you don’t know about moving to Islamabad from Karachi is that it’s not that difficult – as long as you think ahead and plan properly.
To start things off, you need to pack your belongings for a long haul trip. For instance, make sure all the breakables such as mirrors and glass items are packed properly. Also, mark those boxes as fragile.
As for clothes, blankets, pillows and cushions, you need to use large boxes that are sealed properly. While packing your furniture, double check to see if all the drawers and cabinets have been properly secured.
There are three ways you can transport your belongings from Karachi to Islamabad:
- By train
- By plane
- Via road
If you want to send your household items via train, you’ll have to visit Karachi City Railway Station to reserve space in the cargo train. Similarly, to send your things via aeroplane, visit the Cargo Terminal at Jinnah International Airport for more information and prices. Moreover, you can also hire a local moving service to send your furniture to Islamabad by road.
Similarly, you can either fly, take a train or travel via road to reach Islamabad. On average, a one-way economy class flight to Islamabad will cost around PKR 15 thousand. Meanwhile, you can also book a seat in the Green Line; the only train that goes all the way to Islamabad instead of stopping at the Rawalpindi Railway Station. The seat fares for Green Line starts at PKR 2400 and goes up to PKR 7000.
For those planning to travel by bus, the Daewoo Bus fares for a one-way trip to Karachi to Rawalpindi start at PKR 4950 and goes up to PKR 6500.
Transportation in Islamabad
Unlike Karachi, you won’t find any public buses or rickshaws on the roads of Islamabad. In fact, you will probably not spot a lot of yellow cabs either. However, that does not mean people living in Islamabad don’t have any options for getting around the city.
For starters, most young professionals, students and workers use the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus service to commute between the twin cities. The first bus station is located at Pak Secretariat in Islamabad while the last stop is in Saddar, Rawalpindi. There are about 22 different stops in between.
Not to mention, there are also a number of private cab hailing services available in the city for affordable rates. But, if you’re moving to Islamabad for good, you may want to buy your own vehicle for easy conveyance.
Emergency Numbers for Islamabad
If you’re shifting from Karachi to Islamabad, here are a few emergency numbers you need to know.
Emergency helpline: 15
Fire brigade: 16
Rescue Service: 1122
Bomb Disposal Squad: 1332
Edhi Ambulance: 115
PIMS Hospital: 051-9261170
CDA Hospital: 051-9221334
Shifa International Hospital: 051-8463000
Ali Medical Center: 051-8090200
Polyclinic Hospital: 051-9218300
Since you probably need all the help you can get for moving to Islamabad from Karachi, here are the lists of the most popular areas to buy houses and the top 5 areas to purchase flats in the capital city to make things a little easier for you.
Meanwhile, if you have just moved and don’t know where to go or what to do, take a look at some tips on how to start over after moving to a new city.
For more information on the real estate trends and lifestyle in Islamabad, check out Zameen Blog – the leading property and lifestyle blog in Pakistan.
