"Douala fine soteh, but na house dear". An excerpt from the song 'Djombos' by the famous singer Eriko.
Though I'm sharing from my experience of house search in Yaounde, I believe these tips will apply to other major towns of Cameroon especially in a town like Douala. Most times while house searching, it is easy to give in to anything we find good to the eye or easy on our pockets. While these points are meant to be considered, there are also other factors that will determine whether we will live in a room or an apartment for long or not.
Though I'm sharing from my experience of house search in Yaounde, I believe these tips will apply to other major towns of Cameroon especially in a town like Douala. Most times while house searching, it is easy to give in to anything we find good to the eye or easy on our pockets. While these points are meant to be considered, there are also other factors that will determine whether we will live in a room or an apartment for long or not.
The following points are meant to help you make a better choice of places to rent and live in within Yaounde and other major towns in Cameroon.
It's not new to most of us that neighbourhoods in Cameroon are not planned. This has caused the population to build haphazardly. That is why most houses are found very far from the main road.
After getting off a taxi, you may have to walk a long distance before reaching your home. This may be a problem when the area you live in is dangerous and you keep late night. It's not also very practical for someone with a handicap. So consider the proximity to the major road.
This factor of proximity to the main road has made houses which are closer to the road to be more expensive than those that are inside or further from the motorable road. Some neighbourhoods are so far inside that you may need to pay extra bike transport to get in and out of it. You need to ask yourself if would mind these inconveniences when searching for a house. And also if you can afford the privilege of living closer to the main road because it comes with some extra coins.
This point is sometimes not really considered by many because they want a cheaper place to rent but it is very important and necessary to live close to a health centre like a hospital or even a private clinic. It is also important to have water and electricity in the area; either at home or close by.
Consider the state of the roads leading to the room or apartment. Is it good, muddy or rocky? If you have a vehicle, a bad road may be a major problem for your car. If you don't have a car think of how you have to deal with a muddy road every morning when it rains. Some roads are actually good only during the dry season so watch out when house searching during the dry season. Ask people about the state of the road when it rains before you decided to live there.
Find out how safe the place is before you accept to live there. Is it safe for you to come back home alone at night? Or are your property safe in the day?
Other basic facilities you should watch out for include; grinding machines, markets, local provision stores and technicians.
Most of the population in Yaounde or other major towns in Cameroon are either going to school or going to work almost every morning. If you are a student or worker then start your house search by selecting neighbourhoods that are close to your job or school. This will help you reduce your daily transport fare and hours spent in traffic while going to or returning from your activities.
The older the house, the more problems it will have. For example, the house could smell if the toilets are found inside, things could break not long after you move in because they are old already (tap heads).
Watch out for areas prone to floods and mosquitoes. Areas which are likely to have mosquitoes are areas close to rivers, stagnant water, organic dirt and bushes/farms.
Valleys can be swampy during the rainy season and may flood if there is a river present. So ask questions about floods and mosquitoes before you agree to move in.
If you are allergic to noise or you need your quiet and peace then you should avoid noisy neighbourhoods. You can visit the area in the day and in the night to know how noisy or calm it is around there.
Related post: Signs that a neighbourhood is noisy (in the day/night) in Yaounde.
I can't conclude without stressing the importance of a good landlord/landlady as well as neighbours. This may be difficult to know prior to living with them but you need to be very observant and ask questions.
A bad landlord will make your life hell in his house
Related: How to live In Peace with Your Landlord
Meanwhile, if you have bad neighbours, it will be complicated to have peace as well
Related: 5 types of Neighbours you have in Yaounde.
Despite how hard it is to find a house in Yaounde, it is still necessary to find a place where you will live for at least a while. These factors are meant to help you find the best place to live in Yaounde.
My bonus tip is don't believe all that the landlord says. They may tell lies just to lure you to take the apartment or room for rent. I have seen landlords who have lied that there are no floods in the area when there are floods. Some lie that the area is quiet and calm most of the time which is not true. This means that you have to see things for yourself.
If you are house searching as you read this post, I wish you all the best as you find your new home.
Here are the eight major factors to consider when renting a house in Yaounde.
1. Proximity to the main road (motorable road)
It's not new to most of us that neighbourhoods in Cameroon are not planned. This has caused the population to build haphazardly. That is why most houses are found very far from the main road.
After getting off a taxi, you may have to walk a long distance before reaching your home. This may be a problem when the area you live in is dangerous and you keep late night. It's not also very practical for someone with a handicap. So consider the proximity to the major road.
This factor of proximity to the main road has made houses which are closer to the road to be more expensive than those that are inside or further from the motorable road. Some neighbourhoods are so far inside that you may need to pay extra bike transport to get in and out of it. You need to ask yourself if would mind these inconveniences when searching for a house. And also if you can afford the privilege of living closer to the main road because it comes with some extra coins.
2. Proximity to basic facilities like health facilities, security and social amenities
This point is sometimes not really considered by many because they want a cheaper place to rent but it is very important and necessary to live close to a health centre like a hospital or even a private clinic. It is also important to have water and electricity in the area; either at home or close by.
Consider the state of the roads leading to the room or apartment. Is it good, muddy or rocky? If you have a vehicle, a bad road may be a major problem for your car. If you don't have a car think of how you have to deal with a muddy road every morning when it rains. Some roads are actually good only during the dry season so watch out when house searching during the dry season. Ask people about the state of the road when it rains before you decided to live there.
Find out how safe the place is before you accept to live there. Is it safe for you to come back home alone at night? Or are your property safe in the day?
Other basic facilities you should watch out for include; grinding machines, markets, local provision stores and technicians.
3. Proximity to your job or school
Most of the population in Yaounde or other major towns in Cameroon are either going to school or going to work almost every morning. If you are a student or worker then start your house search by selecting neighbourhoods that are close to your job or school. This will help you reduce your daily transport fare and hours spent in traffic while going to or returning from your activities.
4. The age of the house
The older the house, the more problems it will have. For example, the house could smell if the toilets are found inside, things could break not long after you move in because they are old already (tap heads).
5. Floods and Mosquitoes
Watch out for areas prone to floods and mosquitoes. Areas which are likely to have mosquitoes are areas close to rivers, stagnant water, organic dirt and bushes/farms.
Valleys can be swampy during the rainy season and may flood if there is a river present. So ask questions about floods and mosquitoes before you agree to move in.
6. Noise
If you are allergic to noise or you need your quiet and peace then you should avoid noisy neighbourhoods. You can visit the area in the day and in the night to know how noisy or calm it is around there.
Related post: Signs that a neighbourhood is noisy (in the day/night) in Yaounde.
7. Good Neighbours and Landlords
I can't conclude without stressing the importance of a good landlord/landlady as well as neighbours. This may be difficult to know prior to living with them but you need to be very observant and ask questions.
A bad landlord will make your life hell in his house
Related: How to live In Peace with Your Landlord
Meanwhile, if you have bad neighbours, it will be complicated to have peace as well
Related: 5 types of Neighbours you have in Yaounde.
Despite how hard it is to find a house in Yaounde, it is still necessary to find a place where you will live for at least a while. These factors are meant to help you find the best place to live in Yaounde.
My bonus tip is don't believe all that the landlord says. They may tell lies just to lure you to take the apartment or room for rent. I have seen landlords who have lied that there are no floods in the area when there are floods. Some lie that the area is quiet and calm most of the time which is not true. This means that you have to see things for yourself.
If you are house searching as you read this post, I wish you all the best as you find your new home.
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