Buying a House in Accra vs. Suburban Areas

Introduction: Buying a House in Accra vs. Suburban Areas

Buying a house in Accra is a major milestone — a financial and emotional commitment that shapes your lifestyle for years. Yet many homebuyers today face a dilemma: should they buy a house in Accra’s bustling urban center or invest in the quieter, fast-developing suburban areas around Greater Accra?

Both options come with unique advantages. Both come with trade-offs. Understanding these differences is the first step toward a smart and confident purchase.

Understanding the Real Estate Landscape When Buying a House in Accra

Accra remains the epicenter of Ghana’s real estate market. It is the economic engine of the country, with unmatched access to jobs, international companies, diplomatic missions, education, healthcare, and world-class amenities.

This is why buying a house in Accra comes at a premium. Demand is high. Land is scarce. Development is constant. And competition for properties is relentless.

But this very demand also makes Accra one of the most rewarding long-term real estate investment locations in Ghana.

Benefits of Buying a House in Accra

Buying a house in Accra means choosing convenience and prestige. Residents enjoy quick access to business districts like Airport City, Cantonments, Ridge, and Osu. Commutes are shorter. Services are closer. Life feels faster — and more connected.

Accra also produces some of the highest rental yields in the country. Investors targeting Airbnb, corporate rentals, or executive housing find Accra almost unmatched in demand.

Homes in Accra hold value exceptionally well. Many appreciate quickly due to redevelopment, infrastructure upgrades, and increased commercial activity.

Drawbacks of Buying a House in Accra

The city offers many advantages — but at a cost. Property prices in prime areas such as East Legon, Labone, Roman Ridge, and Cantonments are significantly higher than suburban equivalents.

Land availability is shrinking, which often results in smaller plot sizes and limited space. Traffic congestion, noise, and a fast-paced environment may not appeal to families seeking tranquility.

Buying a house in Accra is rewarding, but it requires a prepared budget and a willingness to embrace the tempo of city life.

Understanding the Suburban Real Estate Market Around Accra

The suburbs surrounding Accra have grown exponentially in the last decade. Areas like Oyarifa, Amasaman, Dodowa, Prampram, Pokuase, Oyibi, and Tema Community 25 offer a different kind of value: space, affordability, and calm.

These communities benefit from improved road networks, private estate developments, and widespread migration from the congested inner city.

Suburban Accra is no longer an afterthought. It is becoming the preferred choice for families, first-time buyers, and investors seeking long-term appreciation.

Benefits of Buying a House in Suburban Areas

The most immediate advantage is affordability. Suburbs offer larger plots, more modern homes, and flexible payment terms at a fraction of city-center prices.

Suburban living provides serenity — wide roads, greenery, and low noise levels. Families appreciate the space. Developers appreciate the opportunity to build estates from scratch.

As infrastructure expands, suburbs often appreciate faster than fully matured urban areas.

Drawbacks of Buying a House in Suburban Areas

Suburban communities, while growing, may still lack some amenities found in Accra. Commuting to work can be long depending on location. Public transport options may be limited.

Some suburbs are still catching up in road development, drainage, or shopping centers. For buyers who prioritize accessibility above all else, this can be a challenge.

Buying a House in Accra vs. Suburbs: Cost Comparison

Buying a house in Accra is significantly more expensive. A 3-bedroom house in Cantonments or East Legon might cost the same as a 4- to 5-bedroom home with ample land in Tema Community 25 or Oyarifa.

Suburban areas also offer the flexibility to buy land and build gradually — an option rarely available in the heart of Accra.

For budget-conscious buyers, the suburbs provide the best path into homeownership.

Buying a House in Accra vs. Suburbs: Land Size and Property Types

Urban properties often sacrifice space for location. Suburban properties deliver the opposite: spacious homes, bigger yards, and customizable building options.

In Accra, buyers mostly find townhouses, apartments, and compact detached homes. Suburbs allow for full-scale family homes, terraces, and gated community residences with more privacy.

Lifestyle Differences: Living in Accra vs. Suburban Communities

Buying a house in Accra appeals to professionals, entrepreneurs, and people who enjoy life in the center of activity. Social life is vibrant. Everything feels closer.

Suburban living is slower and quieter — designed for families, retirees, remote workers, and those seeking balance. Nature, space, and peace define the lifestyle.

Infrastructure and Development Trends in Accra

Accra benefits from ongoing infrastructure upgrades: major roads, shopping malls, hospitals, private schools, financial institutions, and corporate hubs. This infrastructure drives property reliability and value.

Buying a house in Accra ensures immediate access to well-established systems.

You can find some of the major infrastructure agenda for Ghana here.

Infrastructure and Development in Suburban Areas

Suburban areas are in rapid transformation. Road networks such as Pokuase Interchange, Ofankor-Nsawam expansion, and Tema Motorway developments are improving accessibility dramatically.

Private developers are also building entire estates with water systems, security, and amenities — making suburbs highly attractive for modern families.

Commute and Transportation Considerations When Buying a House in Accra

Accra offers shorter commute distances but suffers from heavy traffic in hotspots. Proximity to workplaces remains the biggest advantage.

Commute and Accessibility in Suburban Areas

Suburban commuting varies widely. Some areas (Tema 25, Pokuase, Oyarifa) now have improved access due to new interchanges and expanded roads. However, peak-hour commutes can still be lengthy.

Remote work trends have made suburban living even more attractive.

Buying a House in Accra for Investment Purposes

Accra is Ghana’s strongest rental market. Buying a house in Accra positions investors to access:

Corporate tenants
Diplomats and expatriates
Short-let clients
High-income renters

The return is strong, stable, and consistent.

Buying a House in Suburban Areas for Investment

Suburbs attract families seeking affordability. Demand for rentals in gated communities is rising rapidly. Lower entry cost means higher potential ROI and faster asset growth.

As these areas urbanize, early investors benefit the most.

Security and Safety: Accra vs. Suburbs

Urban areas typically benefit from stronger police presence and private security. Suburban estates often provide gated systems, CCTV, and community security networks.

Both can be safe — but the level of security infrastructure varies by neighborhood.

Who Should Buy a House in Accra?

Ideal for:

Professionals working in the city
Investors prioritizing rental yield
People seeking prestige and convenience
Those who value proximity to top schools and medical centers

Who Should Buy a House in Suburban Areas?