Achrafieh or Metn: Where Should You Live?

Achrafieh and Metn are two of the areas our clients ask about most. They are only a short drive apart, but they offer very different ways of living. Here is how they compare.

Achrafieh: city life with character

Achrafieh is one of Beirut’s oldest and most sought-after districts. You are close to everything — Downtown, universities, hospitals, restaurants and the nightlife of Gemmayze and Mar Mikhael — in a neighbourhood with traditional houses and a strong sense of community.

• Best for: professionals, students, and families who want to walk to schools, shops and work.
• Trade-off: higher price per square metre, smaller apartments, and city traffic and parking.

Metn: more space and mountain air

Metn stretches from coastal towns like Dekwaneh and Jdeideh up to mountain villages like Beit Mery, Broummana and Baabdat. For the same budget you usually get a larger apartment, often with a view, a bigger balcony and more parking — and summers in the mountain villages are noticeably cooler.

• Best for: families who want space and greenery, and buyers looking for a view or a second home.
• Trade-off: you will rely on a car, and the commute into Beirut depends on traffic.

How do prices compare?

Prices change with every new listing, so rather than quote numbers that go out of date, our area guides calculate them live from the properties we currently have. See the median price per square metre and rent ranges in the Achrafieh guide and the Metn guide.

Questions to help you decide

• Where do you work or study, and how often do you need to be in Beirut?
• Do you need more bedrooms, or would you trade space for location?
• How important are walking distance, nightlife and culture versus calm and views?
• Are you buying to live in, to rent out, or as a summer home?

Browse properties in Achrafieh and apartments for sale in Metn, or contact us to arrange viewings in both.