Where to live: Lajpat Nagar vs Def Col vs Jangpura Extension...

Hi all,

I'm a lurker but thought I could use some advice on this question, and didn't find any recent topics with info on Lajpat Nagar particularly. Here's my quandary: single girl looking for a flatshare; have several offers, but neighborhood counts, I know. Lajpat Nagar keeps coming up, and is somewhat more affordable (~Rs. 16,500) than Defence Colony and Jangpura. Are there substantial reasons to pay Rs. 4,000 (and upward) more a month to live in Defence Colony or Jangpura? Are the markets and quality of life much better? (And for the pale ladies among us -- do you feel more comfortable in those neighborhoods? I tend to get followed a lot here, despite speaking Hindi.)

Complicating factor: I'm going to be hopping back and forth (say, two times a week) to Gurgaon. I don't want to live in Gurgaon, because most of my work is in south Delhi (scattered -- think the areas around GK 1, Ansal Plaza, and Select Citywalk).

Any advice appreciated! And it's good to finally come out of the woodwork and lurk no more.

Technically Lajpat Nagar and Defence Colony are on opposite sides of the road.

Without wanting to start a class war,and apologies in advance to those who may be living in Lajpat, the best way I can describe it is that

Defence colony is slightly more upscale, genteel and refined than Lajpat Nagar. (Not a snobbish place though).

The groceries in defence colony market are more expat friendly (though it is not termed a expat hotspot - like Vasant Vihar where your rent will be through the roof).

In terms of your commute Lajpat and Defence Colony will be roughly equal and your commute to Gurgaon will be equally painful.

Hahaha. Yes, I expected as much. Somebody recommended Hauz Khas and Green Park because he thought the commute would be easier from there, but I have gotten NO replies for apartments in those neighborhoods!

I'm cool with being less genteel, but what would concern me is if I would feel less comfortable or safe (as a young female firang) in Lajpat Nagar at, say, 10PM. I did find on a very old Indiamike thread (2005?) that the lads in Lajpatnagar like to leer. (Ah, alliteration!) If that's still true, the additional feeling of peace might be worth Rs 4,000 more!

Agreed with the above, personally I'd go for Defence colony too and if I'd have known one year ago what I know now, I'd have rented a place there at 1/2 the price I pay where I'm now. Defence colony is very nice, good restaurants and I guess people there are more used to foreigners. It may not exactly be an expat hotspot, but many expats go there to have dinner or a drink.

I'd go for Defense Colony. Less crowded, clean and a bit more civilized than Lajpat Nagar and Jangpura. You will enjoy your stay there, its a very social neighborhood, and safe too.

Bear the extra rent, it'll definitely be worth it. Lajpat Nagar is one locality which I avoid, traffic, noice, too much commercialization. Another thing about Defence Colony is that its very central, CP + Ring Road + South Ex are very accessible from 'Def Col' (local slang for Defence Colony)

So to be explicit: The additional feeling of peace that comes with the area will be worth more than 4000 rs for a young female firang. Also Leering is being less genteel

Given what you have written and from personal and friend's experiences, Defence Colony is better suited than Lajpat Nagar.

Its not just about 'feeling genteel'. Most reassuringly your experience as a whole in Def Col will be better than Lajpat Nagar, trust me. Its difficult to find peace in Lajpat Nagar. Its too damn conjusted!

Okay guys, thanks -- you're agreeing with my instincts. I do recall Lajpat Nagar very dimly, as a sea of honking autos! Def Col it is (if I'm lucky enough to snag one of these rooms!)

Oh! Oh! Please, do share what you know!

Congrats and have a great house warming!!

I know nothing No, neighborhood reputation has a disproportionate impact on price here. When I just got off the plane I started looking for a house with the help of a real estate agent who was, of course, primarily looking after his own interests. This I knew and after lots of haggling I found a nice place in Jor Bagh (5 minutes driving distance from defence colony) at a -for that area-good price when the gora-expat tax is calculated in.

Jor bagh is a great, area: greenery, low incidence of power cuts, god security, and quiet....too quiet. There's no market to speak of, no restaurants...for all that stuff we just trek out to either defence colony, new friends colony or sunder nagar (fabulous italian there). The same type of house in def. col. would have cost me (ahem, my employer) half.

It's that most of your work will take you to south Delhi, else I'd have recommended taking a hard look at Gurgaon. There's not much there in terms of city but you do have decent bakeries, lots of european-style restaurants, clubs, cinema, malls. And with the real-estate crash of last year, prices for apartments have gone way down. There's just no way to find an equally well-equipped apartment in south Delhi for the same price. Lots of newly arrived expats seem to be setting up shop there.

Good luck and tell us when the house warming party 's on!

Though Jor Bagh market does have the Steakhouse for the odd US-import grocery items that one suddenly has irrational cravings for -- they have an irregular supply of Jelly Belly jelly beans, for instance. And the bookstore is quite good if a bit small.

What's the 'fabulous Italian' in Sunder Nagar?

The Steakhouse indeed has western items but I have serious concerns about their hygiene. I know stating this is tantamount to cursing in church and it's just my personal opinion but unless it's packed in plastic or in a can and doesn't require refrigeration I'm not buying it there. Also, they're extremely expensive. With smallish supermarkets slowly popping up and companies like the french farm selling fresh vegetables/good quality meat products I manage to find most stuff elsewhere, got the impression that the Steakhouse is still living on its reputation from 20 years ago when they and one or two other outfits were the only places where you could find western stuff.

Agree about the Om Bookstore: they have a very good although smallish selection and the owners are super friendly.

The fabulous italian in Sunder Nagar is -imho- Baci, they manage to make their stuff taste authentic if you know what I mean. Had some fabulous meals there, in my opinion they're better than 'la piazza' in the Hyatt at Bhikaji kama place and at a fraction of the cost.

Agree with you dillichaat on both Baci & Steakhouse. The latter definitely needs to step up its game. Hopefully increase competition will force them to respond. Or maybe not, who knows

Lindsay - of your 3 choices, another vote here for good ole Def Col.

Yes, after walking around today, I'm struck again by how comfortable I feel in Def Col (nobody takes more than a second's notice of me!). Unfortunately, I'll have to wait until next week to see if I can get a room in the fabulous Def Col flat I saw. And I'm a little nervous, as I only have ten more days to register with the FRRO (for which you have to have proof of permanent residence, now). I don't know what happens if you don't register in the first fourteen days -- judging by everyone's warnings, something very ominous!

Have you tried for Safdarjung Enclave, SDA area? I feel the area is pretty nice, not too noisy, not too congested. Although I am not sure about the rent, could be in the 20,000 to 25,000, just a guess.