Abu Nsair lies in the north-west of Amman, between Al Jubayha to the west and Shafa Badran to the north and east, and belongs administratively to the University district. It is one of the 22 areas of Greater Amman Municipality.
The area started as a planned housing project: the Housing Corporation began building the Abu Nsair housing city in the early 1980s, and it became part of Greater Amman in 1987. It is named after the shrine of Musa bin Nusayr, and because it overlooks the capital it is regarded as a summer retreat for the north of Amman. Its residential neighbourhoods include Al Diyaa, Al Basala, Al Karama, Al Mahabba, Al Amana, Al Saada and Al Farouq.
The source describes good infrastructure with modern roads, sports grounds and public parks, along with shopping centres, malls and some factories producing building materials and food. Local landmarks include Abu Nsair Park, the Abu Nsair Cultural Centre, the Musa bin Nusayr shrine and the Abu Nsair stadium. Services include public primary and secondary schools, the Jordan Academy for Maritime Studies, the Abu Nsair health centre, family clinics and many neighbourhood mosques.