Johar Town

Mid-range area with modern malls, student cafes, and younger crowd. Cheaper than Gulberg with decent safety and amenities. Good if you want cafe culture without paying premium prices.

Spread across multiple blocks with upper-middle-class families, young professionals, and students. Each block has its own market, mosque, and park. Cheaper than Gulberg or DHA but still maintains decent security and cleanliness. Cafes and restaurants scattered around, plus Emporium Mall and Fortress Square for modern shopping and dining. Younger and more energetic vibe than Model Town, less cosmopolitan than Gulberg. English works in cafes and malls, less so in local markets. Coffee Planet and Jade Café attract students with laptops and people meeting friends. Safe during the day and evening on main roads, but it's a big area and some parts are more developed than others. Stick to main commercial areas and blocks near the malls rather than residential sections. A middle option - cheaper than upscale areas, safer than Old City, enough cafes to not feel isolated. You'll still need rides to reach major tourist sites.