Margao - questions

puffin_26 · Mar 9th, 2008, 21:25

Hi All

I am moving to Margao for two months in April and May to intern and have a couple of questions (background, I am female, UK/US, late twenties, lived in Moscow/Karachi/Western Europe and but only been to India for maybe a month in total before, on holiday mostly in Kerala).

Accomodation - since its only two months I am reluctant to go to all the hassle of renting an apartment, but the drawback to interning is that you don't really get paid. Can anyone suggest a niceish guesthouse, or somewhere with some charm where I could be a semi-permanent resident for GBP 20ish/night?

City - I only got told I was coming to Margao about two days ago and can't find that much about it on the internet/LP except that it is the transport hub for the area. Not intending to start a long discussion about the girl that just died etc. but as single female, presumably if I take standard city precuations, it isn't essentially dangerous. Would it be nicer to stay on one of the nearby beaches and commute in? (not really up for more than a 15/20 mins commute)?

Weather - everyone says it will be hot, and potentially wet - will it be actively unpleasant?

Any suggestions as to the above (or anything else relevant) would be most gratefully received.

thanks

GoanCanuck · Mar 10th, 2008, 00:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by puffin_26

Accomodation - since its only two months I am reluctant to go to all the hassle of renting an apartment, but the drawback to interning is that you don't really get paid. Can anyone suggest a niceish guesthouse, or somewhere with some charm where I could be a semi-permanent resident for GBP 20ish/night?

Margao does not have too many hotels and what is avilable is not very good. My advice would be to rent an apartment in Colva or Benaulim which are only 5km away.

A 0ne bedroom apartment in Colva or Benaulim can be rented for about 170GBP/month. These are fully furnished apartments with a swimming pool.

I can provide details of apartments that are available.

Quote:

Originally Posted by puffin_26

City - I only got told I was coming to Margao about two days ago and can't find that much about it on the internet/LP except that it is the transport hub for the area. Not intending to start a long discussion about the girl that just died etc. but as single female, presumably if I take standard city precuations, it isn't essentially dangerous. Would it be nicer to stay on one of the nearby beaches and commute in? (not really up for more than a 15/20 mins commute)?

Margao is in general quite safe and you do not need to worry. If you are staying in Colva or Benaulim, then hiring a scooter would be the best option. If you are not comfortable using a scooter then you can take the bus. Keep in mind that there is no bus service after 8.30pm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by puffin_26

Weather - everyone says it will be hot, and potentially wet - will it be actively unpleasant?

It will most definitely be hot and humid. Won't be wet although you may get one or two showers at the end of May.

One point to be noted about Margao is that it is the most congested town in Goa and traffic jams are common.

puffin_26 · Mar 11th, 2008, 02:39

That is really helpful, thank you so much for such a detailed reply. I would appreciate details of the apartments, if you have them to hand. In terms of hiring a scooter - if I am reasonably confident on a pushbike, am I safe on a scooter (in heavy traffic), or will I end up maimed?

the opoponax · Mar 11th, 2008, 02:49

Keep in mind, if you do opt to commute in from somewhere like Colva or Benaulim, that it can be difficult to get around via public transportation (whether bus, auto, whatever) very early in the morning. You might want to have your own transportation if you opt to live out there.

I also have to say that Benaulim had the worst food of anywhere I stayed in India. I have suspicions that I picked up some minor intestinal creepy-crawlies there. You should avoid restaurants geared towards the many package tourists.

Which is the other thing about Colva/Benaulim. The crowd definitely skews 'retiree'.

puffin_26 · Mar 11th, 2008, 03:00

Thanks guys - quick question, is this actually going to be any fun? apart from at weekends when I can go on adventures/leave my retirement village?

the opoponax · Mar 11th, 2008, 03:08

If you opted to live in Margao itself, I would guess that you wouldn't feel you were living in a retirement village - plenty of people of all ages there. While I've heard it said that it's more convenient to stay in Benaulim or Colva if you have a few days' business in Margao, it doesn't seem like that would also be the case if you were working there every day.

Also, after noticing a certain pattern with guidebooks and their lodging recommendations, I don't wonder that all this "Margao has no good places to stay!" talk doesn't really mean "If you stay in Margao, you will see a lot of brown people, and none of them will be doing your laundry or bringing you a fresh lime soda."

I passed plenty of hotels on my two buses through Margao, and from the outside at least they looked perfectly reputable. And I assume that, if you're moving there for work, it would probably be better to get something a little more long-term than a beach holiday guest house.

I can't give very good recommendations about Margao itself. What I can do is tell you about my couple of nights spent in Benaulim.

GoanCanuck · Mar 11th, 2008, 08:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by the opoponax

I also have to say that Benaulim had the worst food of anywhere I stayed in India.

I have to disagree with your assessment. My experience with the restaurants in Benaulim has been very good.

GoanCanuck · Mar 11th, 2008, 08:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by puffin_26

In terms of hiring a scooter - if I am reasonably confident on a pushbike, am I safe on a scooter (in heavy traffic), or will I end up maimed?

From your reply I am assuming that you do not have a scooter/motorcycle licence and as a result I will strongly advise you not to try your luck renting a scooter.

One thing you need to keep in mind is that Margao is not a city which has good bars and restaurants as compared to Panjim although it must be said that Margao is an excellent city for shopping.

PeakXV · Mar 11th, 2008, 08:48

Some of those old homes on the the outskirts of Margao are absolutely superb ..... we got invited to a party(State Minister's) in Lutolim one night - that still stands out in my memory.

GoanCanuck · Mar 11th, 2008, 09:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeakXV

Some of those old homes on the the outskirts of Margao are absolutely superb

Yes indeed.

puffin_26 · Mar 11th, 2008, 14:15

I think it is a good idea to avoid a scooter - details of apartments would be great GoanCanuck.

"Also, after noticing a certain pattern with guidebooks and their lodging recommendations, I don't wonder that all this "Margao has no good places to stay!" talk doesn't really mean "If you stay in Margao, you will see a lot of brown people, and none of them will be doing your laundry or bringing you a fresh lime soda."

- Opponax, while I agree with you completely and would have originally preferred to stay in Margao, the lack of old school guesthouses (as there are in Panjim) means that what I can afford would be unlikely to be a particularly nice place to spend two months....

the opoponax · Mar 11th, 2008, 21:09

Yes, it's true that Margao doesn't seem to have a lot of "backpacker crash pad" type lodging. This comment is going to sound silly, but I guess you are going to have to settle for the beautiful tropical beach village, then!

Just, seriously, be careful about restaurant food.

Mar 9th, 2008, 21:25	#1
puffin_26 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: UK/US/Italy Posts: 6	Margao - questions Hi All I am moving to Margao for two months in April and May to intern and have a couple of questions (background, I am female, UK/US, late twenties, lived in Moscow/Karachi/Western Europe and but only been to India for maybe a month in total before, on holiday mostly in Kerala). Accomodation - since its only two months I am reluctant to go to all the hassle of renting an apartment, but the drawback to interning is that you don't really get paid. Can anyone suggest a niceish guesthouse, or somewhere with some charm where I could be a semi-permanent resident for GBP 20ish/night? City - I only got told I was coming to Margao about two days ago and can't find that much about it on the internet/LP except that it is the transport hub for the area. Not intending to start a long discussion about the girl that just died etc. but as single female, presumably if I take standard city precuations, it isn't essentially dangerous. Would it be nicer to stay on one of the nearby beaches and commute in? (not really up for more than a 15/20 mins commute)? Weather - everyone says it will be hot, and potentially wet - will it be actively unpleasant? Any suggestions as to the above (or anything else relevant) would be most gratefully received. thanks

Mar 11th, 2008, 08:48	#9
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 4,187	Some of those old homes on the the outskirts of Margao are absolutely superb ..... we got invited to a party(State Minister's) in Lutolim one night - that still stands out in my memory. __________________ We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time. T.S. Eliot Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

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Mar 11th, 2008, 02:39	#3
puffin_26 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: UK/US/Italy Posts: 6	That is really helpful, thank you so much for such a detailed reply. I would appreciate details of the apartments, if you have them to hand. In terms of hiring a scooter - if I am reasonably confident on a pushbike, am I safe on a scooter (in heavy traffic), or will I end up maimed?

Mar 11th, 2008, 02:49	#4
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,054	Keep in mind, if you do opt to commute in from somewhere like Colva or Benaulim, that it can be difficult to get around via public transportation (whether bus, auto, whatever) very early in the morning. You might want to have your own transportation if you opt to live out there. I also have to say that Benaulim had the worst food of anywhere I stayed in India. I have suspicions that I picked up some minor intestinal creepy-crawlies there. You should avoid restaurants geared towards the many package tourists. Which is the other thing about Colva/Benaulim. The crowd definitely skews 'retiree'.

Mar 11th, 2008, 03:00	#5
puffin_26 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: UK/US/Italy Posts: 6	Thanks guys - quick question, is this actually going to be any fun? apart from at weekends when I can go on adventures/leave my retirement village?

Mar 11th, 2008, 03:08	#6
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,054	If you opted to live in Margao itself, I would guess that you wouldn't feel you were living in a retirement village - plenty of people of all ages there. While I've heard it said that it's more convenient to stay in Benaulim or Colva if you have a few days' business in Margao, it doesn't seem like that would also be the case if you were working there every day. Also, after noticing a certain pattern with guidebooks and their lodging recommendations, I don't wonder that all this "Margao has no good places to stay!" talk doesn't really mean "If you stay in Margao, you will see a lot of brown people, and none of them will be doing your laundry or bringing you a fresh lime soda." I passed plenty of hotels on my two buses through Margao, and from the outside at least they looked perfectly reputable. And I assume that, if you're moving there for work, it would probably be better to get something a little more long-term than a beach holiday guest house. I can't give very good recommendations about Margao itself. What I can do is tell you about my couple of nights spent in Benaulim.

Mar 11th, 2008, 14:15	#11
puffin_26 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: UK/US/Italy Posts: 6	I think it is a good idea to avoid a scooter - details of apartments would be great GoanCanuck. "Also, after noticing a certain pattern with guidebooks and their lodging recommendations, I don't wonder that all this "Margao has no good places to stay!" talk doesn't really mean "If you stay in Margao, you will see a lot of brown people, and none of them will be doing your laundry or bringing you a fresh lime soda." - Opponax, while I agree with you completely and would have originally preferred to stay in Margao, the lack of old school guesthouses (as there are in Panjim) means that what I can afford would be unlikely to be a particularly nice place to spend two months....

Mar 11th, 2008, 21:09	#12
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,054	Yes, it's true that Margao doesn't seem to have a lot of "backpacker crash pad" type lodging. This comment is going to sound silly, but I guess you are going to have to settle for the beautiful tropical beach village, then! Just, seriously, be careful about restaurant food.

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