Let's face it, there's a biting recession in the country. Perhaps you've lost your job and are considering a career change. Perhaps you're considering setting up a business.

School fees in many parts of Lagos (especially in the island/ Lekki axis) are sky high, cost of living is high, and transportation keeps going up. Don't even mention rents as that is the biggest enabler of poverty in Lagos. Many people dread September / January because of the double whammy of rents and school fees in Lagos.

You may be wondering what you are still doing in Lagos sef! If no promising career is attaching you to the state, it may interest you to discover that other cities outside Lagos may fit the bill as a place to live for your young family.

Quality affordable schools, modern accommodation at a fraction of the Lagos cost, cheap transportation, more affordable cost of living, and more safety and security.

Ibadan is one such place if I may make a suggestion. I moved here 2 years ago and my family has never regretted the decision.

Listed below are some areas in Ibadan that I feel people from Lagos may like to move to:

1. Ring road/ Oluyole : this is a nice area close to one of the shoprite malls. It's also close to the toll gate on the way out of Ibadan back to Lagos, so if you work during the week in Lagos, your 3-day weekend can always be complete from Friday evening until Monday morning.

It's got lovely sights and sounds, great shopping locations, great schools, and is close to a number of markets. Security is good, and rental prices are average.

2. Jericho/ Idi ishin : this is one of the high brow areas of Ibadan and the abode of many South West prominent politicians. Accommodation here is among the priciest in Ibadan. It's got great schools and is close to the popular aleshinloye market. It's also close to dugbe with its cinemas, nightclubs, malls and fun spots.

3. Bodija : this is the gravitational Centre of Ibadan. It has the biggest commodity and agricultural produce market in West Africa.
Accommodation is pricey here as well, and the most expensive schools in Ibadan are found here (though they are only a fraction of the cost of Lagos elite schools). It's close to the state secretariat and majority of government offices are located here.

If your aim is merchandise trade, then bodija is your best bet.

4. Akobo : many civil servants and academics built their houses in this area as it is one of the new and relatively undeveloped parts of Ibadan. This may seem like a disadvantage, but it is also a big advantage as many houses here are less than 15 years old, and electricity here is above average given the presence of army and airforce barracks in the area. Needless to say, security here is first class!