10 Things You Must Know Before Moving to Asaba – A Digital Nomad’s Messy Diary

yeah, i was sipping on a cold jollof after an all‑night zoom call when the idea of swapping Lagos’ endless traffic for Asaba’s river‑front vibe actually stuck. that’s when the question turned from should i? to what do i need to know? and honestly, the answer is a mash‑up of spreadsheets, whispered warnings at the bar, and a few hard‑earned truths that most online guides miss.

*Neighbourhood vibes

Asaba is split into three rough zones that you’ll hear locals call Old Port, Warri Road, and Urhobo Hills. the old port area is where the night market flickers with neon signs, street food stalls serving akara and fufu, and a low‑key chill vibe that feels more biker bar than hipster hangout. if you dig the vibe of a co‑working space that’s also a community centre, Warri Road has a couple of cowl spots that stay open until midnight, perfect for when your server crashes. up‑hill on Urhobo Hills you’ll find newer apartments, a few yoga studios, and a quieter street - great for catching up on sleep after a day of freelancing.

Internet reality

You’ll hear the wifi legend that the whole city is wired like a cobra. it’s mostly true. the Delta Hub and HubSpace (both on Warri Road) offer speeds that feel respectable, especially during the dry season when the humidity doesn’t play tricks on the signals. if you’re a remote developer, you’ll want to test the connection before signing up for any long‑term lease - i spent a whole afternoon at a coffee shop (see the Yelp link below) with a download that barely kept up with Google Docs, and the boss thought i was working from a cow. here’s a snapshot of what i’ve seen: fast enough for Google Docs but no guarantee for heavy video editing.

Safety in the streets

Crime stats you won’t find on a glossy brochure: petty theft is the most common complaint, especially after dark in the old port area. the police force is visible, and you’ll see riot gear at the town square during major festivals, which feels like a reassuring reminder that the community is vigilant. locals tell me to keep valuables out of sight, avoid flashing a big wallet in night markets, and always have a backup plan for phone charging (they love stealing those). a friend warned me don’t leave your laptop on the bench while you go to the washroom, it’s a free‑grab target.

Cost of living

Rent for a studio apartment in the newer blocks on Urhobo Hills is on the low side of the national average - you’ll pay roughly the same as a one‑room in a Lagos satellite town, but without the surcharge for water and electricity. food is cheap: a plate of pepper soup costs less than a couple thousand naira, and a loaf of bread can be found for under a hundred. public transport runs on buses and tricycles (keke‑maru) - get used to the clatter because the traffic police are more interested in regulating the flow of goods than the number of horns.

Jobs for nomads

If you’re hoping to land a remote gig while living in Asaba, you’ll need a solid internet connection and a good co‑working spot. there are a few local agencies that outsource translation work for oil companies, but they pay in devali and you’ll need to negotiate. i met a digital nomad who runs a boutique trip‑planning blog from a tiny studio on Urhobo Hills; she says the biggest upside is the low cost of living which lets you reinvest in better equipment. the Lagos market is a short drive away, so if you’re into selling physical goods you can use Asaba as a low‑rent base.

Shortcuts to other spots

a short drive south will take you to Benin City, where you’ll find a more robust expat scene, restaurants serving international cuisine, and a handful of coworking spaces that actually have reliable power. a flight north lands you in Warri, a city that feels more industrial but offers cheap hotel rooms for when you need a change of scenery. if you’re into weekend trips, the Niger Delta is just a short boat ride away - think serene river views, catfish markets, and a light breeze that makes the humidity tolerable.

Culinary cravings

the Urhobo market is a food lover’s goldmine. you can grab smoked fish, okra soup, and pounded yam for under a dollar each. there’s also a street‑level bar that sells cocktail versions of local drinks, like palm wine gin*, which is surprisingly good. for a quick caffeine hit, there are a few coffee houses that use a mix of instant and ground beans - not as fancy as Lagos, but cheap enough to keep you awake during those late‑night code pushes.

yeah, moving here isn’t a fairy‑tale “city‑of‑gold” move. it’s more like a bargain‑hunter’s field day with a side of cultural immersion. if you want a place where you can work, eat cheap, and still have a safety net (the police, a decent internet shop, a community that watches each other’s backs), Asaba might just be the weird sweet spot you’ve been looking for.

i’ve dropped a few links that helped me navigate the chaos: TripAdvisor for a quick overview of the main attractions and Yelp for checking out the coworking spots, and the r/Asaba subreddit where locals spill the tea on rent scams and hidden gems. you can also peek at the local MyAsabaCity forum for vacancy listings that aren’t posted on the usual job boards.

Asaba overview on TripAdvisor
Delta HubSpace coworking review on Yelp
r/Asaba subreddit for locals
MyAsabaCity forum for rental listings