Lahore, Pakistan 🇵🇰
#270
31.565682, 74.314182
Nomad Score:
59%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Lahore is the capital city of the Punjab province and is known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and vibrant lifestyle. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 11 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average 25-50 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 280 PKR (approx.) |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable, bottled water recommended |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/D sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Jazz, Telenor, and Zong |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Standard banking includes UBL, Standard Chartered, and HBL |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local guesthouses, and long-term rentals through OLX and Zameen.com. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Limited, cash is still widely used; however, some places accept cards. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local websites like SastaBooking. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Backpackers Hostel and local guesthouses |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WorkFlex, located in Gulberg |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Chikachino, offers good WiFi and a relaxing workspace |
| 💼 Networking Events | Tech events and meetups organized by Lahore Tech Meetup on Meetup.com |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Lahore Expat Community on Facebook hosts various meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Careem and Uber are widely used. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bicycle rental services available in parks, such as Jinnah Park. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The closest beach is about 400 km away at Hawksbay Beach. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major highways include M2 and M1 connecting to Islamabad and other cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Lahore Railway Station |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Metrobus card available for public transport use. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses (Faisal Movers, Daewoo Express) connect Lahore with major cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Lahore, located in Gulberg. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First and Shapes Lahore offer great facilities. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Various local laundromats and services available across the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | FoodPanda is the most popular meal delivery service. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Biryani from Lahore’s famous Pak Old Chaat. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Cafe Mundi and The Salad Company offer excellent vegetarian choices. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Chaat Diner for traditional sweets and desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Anarkali Bazaar for local street food and budget shopping. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Daraz.pk is a popular online shopping platform. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | HumMart offers online grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | M.M. Alam Road has various cafes and lounges. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Alcohol is restricted, limited local breweries available. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Limited availability, mostly in upscale hotels. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Gawalmandi Food Street is famous for various street food options. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Italian and Chinese restaurants like 'Olive Garden' and 'Panda' are popular. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort are UNESCO World Heritage sites. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Lahore Museum and Alhamra Arts Council. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Shalimar Gardens and the Tomb of Jahangir. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Data Darbar and Shrine of Shah Jamal. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Lahore Literary Festival and Basant (kite festival). |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Walled City of Lahore is rich in culture. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Alhamra Arts Council hosts various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Anarkali Bazaar and Liberty Market. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music can be found at cafes and cultural events. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Various street art projects in neighborhoods like Gulberg. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Culinary boutique offers cooking sessions for traditional dishes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Nairang Art Gallery and Canvas Gallery. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Lahore is known for its Mughal heritage and vibrant culture. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Shalimar Gardens and Jallo Park are good for nature walks. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Margalla Hills National Park is approximately 50 km away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Canal Bank Road offers paths for cycling and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Viewpoints in Shahdara Park. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Changa Manga Forest is a well-known birdwatching spot. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Many parks like Jallo Park have designated areas for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | TCS and DHL are reliable for parcel services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Available at various shops in Hussain Chowk, Gulberg. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Sports complex facilities offer table tennis. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language schools like Berlitz offer various language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Punjab University Library and Lahore Library offer great study environments. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Pakistan American Cultural Center (PACC) hosts various events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Local gaming cafes in Gulberg provide gaming facilities. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casinos are not legal; gaming is restricted. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. PKR 15,000,000 per unit. |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. PKR 8,000,000 per unit. |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. PKR 20,000,000 per unit. |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. PKR 12,000,000 per unit. |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. PKR 30,000,000 per unit. |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. PKR 18,000,000 per unit. |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 29% standard corporate tax rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% withholding tax on dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Resident-based system for taxation. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 30% maximum personal income tax rate. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 17%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, such rules apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on assessed property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Standard rate is 2% of property value. |