first days in Bangalore

starbright

Hi all,

I will be arriving in Bangalore with my boyfriend at the end of May to volunteer for three months. We're trying to decide what day to book our flights - would there be a problem with arriving on a Saturday or Sunday, in terms of shops being open for buying food and a water purifier?

Thanks.

ajitkommini

Most supermarkets and grocery stores are open on weekends. The best thing about Sundays is the lack of traffic jams. Whereabouts do you plan to stay in Bangalore? You should be able to find a FoodWorld, More or Spencers close by, where you can shop for food.

As for a water purifier - Not sure if you can buy one off the shelf (unless you mean a simple faucet-mounted filter attachment). Might be better to just buy bottled water though. Most neighbourhoods have shops that supply 20 liter cans of aquafina or bisleri mineral water. Costs around Rs.60 a can I think.

MikeB

We should be staying around Cooke Town somewhere...well that's where the organisation we'll be working with is based. Any nice residential areas round there?

Mike.

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ajitkommini

Cooke Town and Richards Town are good places to live. House / apartment rentals may be expensive though. Around $400 a month should get you a nice place.

MikeB

Great thanks, I'm sure we can managed that between two of us.

Thank for the info...

Mike.

brishti

no. most supermarkets and/or local 'grocery' stores are open over the weekends.

cooke town is a residential area.
you can try getting accommodation around cox town, frazer town, wheeler rd extension - they are all close to cooke town.
and since $400 is not a problem you should get a lovely not-so-lil place



:brishti

heyy! welcome to india mike!!!

MikeB

Thanks brishti,

Someone at our host organisation is finding an apartment for us so they should be able to find something in a suitable area at a suitable price.

What does a months rent usually include? Is it standard to pay utilities on top of the rent? And what is the average? Are apartments usually furnished or unfurnished?

Sorry for so many questions...

Thanks,
Mike.

puchoo

electricity is almost always over and above the rent cost.

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brishti

rent usually just = rent.
maintenance costs of the building is sometimes included at times excluded from the rent.
electricity/water other bills are exclusive.

since bangalore is still one of the cities which has lovely bungalows/houses -
ask them to rent out the first floor of a bungalow for you - they're as expensive if not cheaper than apartments.
numerous house owners, live on the ground floor whilst letting out the upper floors of their house.

and mike - insist on balconies in whatever they do choose for you... its a great sit-out in the evenings!

do not take any ground floor accomodation - the natural light sucks!

as for the rent in the areas mentioned, it could begin anything from 30k upwards for a 2 bedroom place - ie. 2 bedrooms, hall, kitchen, 2 loos and if you're lucky balconies!
[not too sure about the rent now mike - perhaps others from bangalore can chip in here!]

as for the place being furnished - yes, you do get furnished apts.
but i strongly suggest you check out what they are furnishing you with - the quality, aesthetics, functionability.



:brishti

MikeB

Thanks for the swift replies and the info.

This is a very useful forum.

Thanks!

Mike.

ajitkommini

Most landlords would also ask for some sort of refundable deposit, especially for a furnished apartment. Since you say your hosts are arranging accommodation, this may not be an issue, but always pays to check.

siri_uk

we're in a 3 bed flat, 3 bathrooms, 2 attatched, we pay 10,000 a month for the rent, electricity on top of that, also we pay 900 per month in fees to the owners association for water supply etc. We paid a deposit of 10 months rent which I believe is the normal amount asked for here

puchoo

10 months...yikes...thats a hole in one's pocket...so glad the going rate in Delhi is about 2 months rent which can be brought down to 1 month ,rent equivalent, deposit.

MikeB

Thanks Siri-UK & Puchoo,

We'll only be in Bangalore for 3 months so we'll prepare ourselves for paying 3 months depsit up front, (worst case scenario I suppose), Siri...it sounds like you've got a nice place, hopefully we'll get the something good too :-)

Thanks for your replies.

Mike.

puchoo

Best of luck Mike, hope it all works out fine.