Pakistan’s only high-altitude city, Quetta is the 5th largest city in Pakistan with a population of 2.8 million people. It is the largest city in terms of land and population in Balochistan Province.
Quetta is also referred to as the Fruit Garden of Pakistan, with the largest yield of fruits and dry fruits in the country. With its natural surroundings, appealing views, and diverse employment opportunities, the city attracts a lot of tenants looking to rent a house in Quetta.
Quetta is also spelt as Kwatah, which is the variation of kwatkot, a Pashto word meaning “Fort”. The city is still locally known by its ancient name Shalkot.
Quetta is situated in north Balochistan and is connected to the Durand Line border with Afghanistan. The city is close to Kandahar province in Afghanistan and acts as a trade and communication centre between the two countries. It is the southernmost point in a line of frontier posts and is an important trade and transportation route to Afghanistan. It also has a network of railroads which makes the city a hub for trade and commerce activities.
Quetta comprises the great Bolan Pass which is an ancient route that was used back in time as an entrance from Central Asia to South Asia. The majority of residents in the city speak Balochi, Pashto, and Farsi.
Being the capital of Balochistan, the city is developing rapidly and has a wide network of markets. People from different regions of Pakistan migrate to Quetta for better opportunities and other reasons including trade. Due to its significance as a trading hub, traders and businessmen prefer to rent a house in Quetta and its surroundings. As a developing city, it has introduced affordable and sustainable housing schemes which have made living convenient and economical.
Because of Quetta’s location near the Durand line, earthquakes in the city are relatively common as compared to other cities. Because of this reason, houses are built in a fashion to make them earthquake-proof.
With time, new and modern housing communities are emerging in the city, offering modern facilities to cater to the diverse needs of the tenants. While searching for a house for rent in Quetta you can find mainly three types of houses: RCC structured, Sun-dried brick houses, and Mortar houses. You can find a variety of houses and apartments built in traditional and modern styles.
Most citizens prefer privacy and go for secluded houses to rent. The standard sizes of houses available for rent are 5 marlas, 10 marlas, and 1 Kanal. Houses in Quetta are constructed in many shapes and sizes and usually have a traditional touch on the interior. The size of the houses varies according to the neighbourhood. Rental prices vary due to different factors including area, nearby facilities, infrastructure, and amenities available.
Quetta’s real estate market has picked up a lot of speed, as compared to the past years. Just like other urban centres, the city has witnessed a boom in its population and economic activity over the past decade. The price of a house for rent in Quetta depends on the size, location, facilities, and other amenities. The average rent for a 5 marla house starts at Rs 20,000 and goes up to 40,000.
For 10 marla houses, the monthly rent can be between Rs 18,000 and 65,000. 1 Kanal rental houses in Quetta are not common and can cost between Rs 1 lakh to 3 lakhs a month. 2 Kanal houses are also available for rent, however, they are very low in number and usually cost between Rs 2 lakh to 3 lakhs a month.
These prices vary from time to time and depend on the type of house, size of the place, number of rooms, the standard of amenities (luxurious or average), etc. Price fluctuations are common within the city and should be kept in mind while looking for a rental place.
Unlike other metropolitan cities, Quetta has the finest educational institutions that provide affordable quality education, which is why this city makes up the highest literacy rate in Balochistan. Education is one of the key reasons why so many people move to Quetta.
The city comes around as an attractive choice for parents looking for the best kind of education for their children. Both private and public schools are available depending on preference and affordability. Many parents prefer living close to educational institutions as it brings ease to the daily commute for the children.
The city has multiple educational institutions to choose from, depending on the field of study, proximity, and affordability. These institutions are as follows.
Like other metropolitan cities, Quetta has well-established hospitals. National-level government hospitals are established in different areas of the city. These hospitals offer free-of-cost healthcare facilities to residents of Quetta. The city also has other reliable hospitals that are within everyone's reach including the Saleem Medical Complex, Rahat medical complex, Sajid hospital, DNG Hospital, Heart and General hospital, Balan medical university, Yaseen hospital, and Sultan Tareen hospital.
Every city is famous for either its culture, food, architecture or its surrounding beauty. In the case of Quetta, the city is famous for all the above-mentioned factors. Given the traditional handicrafts, delicious food and scenic beauty, shopping is a very popular activity for people in the city.
The unique handmade handicrafts, especially Balochi mirror work dresses fascinate tourists. Besides dresses, Quetta is also well known for Afghan Rugs, Fur Coats, Traditional jewellery, Waistcoats, and Embroidered jackets.
Quetta has famous bazaars where people come together in masses to shop. Shahrah-e-Liaquat (Liaquat Bazaar and Suraj Gang Bazaar, the Shahrah-e-Iqbal (Kandahari Bazaar), Jinnah Road, CSD and Bolan shopping centres are some of the attractions that grab the attention of both locals and tourists who are looking to shop. In these bazaars, you will find a range of products, both imported and locally made, at very affordable prices.
Quetta is famous for its traditional dishes that are enriched with spices. The traditional cuisine of the city comprises meat as the main component and is very famous all across the country for its impressive variety of food.
People from different regions travel to Quetta just to taste the authentic Balochi dishes in the city. The most popular traditional Quetta dishes include Kadi kebab, Lamb Roash, and Balochi Sajji, which are the most famous food to try in the area and are readily available around the city.
The traditional dish "Roash" which the non-locals refer to as "Namkin", is widely available at all restaurants in Quetta. Another one of their famous dishes in the city is ‘Landhi’, which is usually cooked in winter. You can find the best food options at Quetta’s most popular restaurants which include: Usmania Tandoori Restaurant, Lehri Sajji House, Lehri Sajji House, Serena Restaurant, Fresh Fish, and Haleem Point.
Quetta tea is another speciality of the city and is popular all over the country. For those craving western food, Quetta also offers international food chains including KFC, McDonald’s, and Pizza Hut.
Thanks to Quetta’s scenic location, many people from across the world come to witness the natural aura of the city. People looking to experience a panoramic view of the city can visit Chiltan Hill Viewpoint Park.
Besides recreational places, the city also offers a glimpse of its history and traditions through its art. Quetta Geological Museum, Command and Staff College Museum, Balochistan Arts Council Library, and Quetta Archaeological Museum are some of the most popular historical places to visit and absorb the historical significance of the city.
The city of Quetta is rapidly developing with more and more housing societies and employment opportunities, thus enabling more people to migrate to the area. Simultaneously, the demand for rental housing is also increasing. If you’re looking to rent a house in Quetta, you can look up Graana.com for options.