Living in Ahmedabad...

Hello everyone...

I've been reading these forums, which seem really helpful, so I was hoping I could get some advice.

I have been offered a teaching position in Ahmedabad, and I'd like to find out a bit more about what it is like to live there.

Firstly, after looking around these forums, it seems that the best areas to live are the complexes to the west (E.g. Satellite area), for anything between 15,000 and 25,000 rupees. Other than electricity and gas bills, are there any other costs involved with renting these apartments? I noticed the deposits are larger than the monthly rent, but are there any security costs, gym costs, maintenance costs etc?

What kind of people are living in these complexes? Are they very open friendly communities with a cosmopolitan feel?

I've been looking for a rough idea of living expenses, so I can see how much money we can save. Some quotes have been about 50,000 rupees. Is that an exaggeration? Is it possible to live on less? Are mobile phones expensive too?

Finally, I would be moving with my wife, who is Japanese, and we are worried about safety. My wife has found some horror stories and experiences for Japanese people. We know that she will get some attention, but should we be very worried?

I wasn't expecting to be offered the job so quickly, but we have to make a decision fairly soon. Some advice would be really appreciated!

Thanks!

50,000 rupees a month living expenses I would say is a bit on the high side (of course that depends on how you choose to live).

Electricity is probably the biggest expense - depends on how many ACs you have running. Our electricity bill is usually around 4 to 8,000 a month (April/May time when it's 45 - 48 degrees C - Ahmedabad gets damn hot then! One AC upstairs, one downstairs)

Otherwise food is cheap enough as are mobile phones. If you buy 'western foods' then you pay more (a jar of decent Nescafe Gold cost me around Rs 350 but that usually lasts me a couple of months) than you would for the 'local nescafe coffee granules' (which I cannot stand the taste of - personal choice).

Anything else you want to know about living in Ahmedabad - ask away! I've been here going on for 3 years now.

city is great. people are warm and flexible. i may have a bias, as i am from ahmedabad.

good areas to stay rent or paying guest will be near vastrapur lake, navrangpura, off cg road and ambavadi.

safety should not be a problem. even if traveling alone. ofcourse you will have to avoid places like railway station, bus station etc during really late hours.

costs for food, mobile phone connection and transport (Auto + BRT) are inexpensive and available easily.

electricity is a killer, especially in the summer months (March - July). A/C's are a must. And so are pools.

Thanks Ianscott and sidkinariwala!

This site seems quite helpful:

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living...ayCurrency=INR

Would you say some of these averages are accurate?

A/C in Japan is necessary too, so I thought the electricity would be high. How much are you paying for Gas and Water?

Having done some research on taxes, I have found that I will be paying around 33% of my salary on taxes including income tax, professional tax, edu cess and employees provident fund. Does that sound about right? Are there any other taxes I should be mindful of?

Also, do you know of, or have seen any Japanese people in Ahmedabad?

Thanks again!

Please be informed that cost of clothes and shoes far less then it shown. Ahmadabad is textile city.
Other cost you can say accurate.
There is no Zara and H&M.
For tax it is not flat 33 % tax.
You can calculate tax here.Since you will stay in rented house u will get tax benefit form it.
Give me your email id I will send excel file to calculate correct tax.

I would say most of the averages are reasonable from your website (remember no beer in Gujarat!), otherwise the restaurant prices are probably in reality a bit higher, Internet is more expensive (we're paying Rs 750 for 1Mbps connection), rents are higher (depending on the area - one guy I know is paying Rs 20,000 a month for 2 bedroom furnished place albeit in Satellite area).

Water is very cheap (mains line water), gas is around Rs 400 a cylinder - some places have piped gas.

There are some Japanese people in and around Ahmedabad.

I'm not sure about the tax at 33%. Usually there is a 'tax free allowance' (around 200,000 rupees/year), up to 3 or 500,000 rupees (can't remember which!) there is a tax of 10% and above that the tax rate is 30% - I'm sure others can correct me on those slabs/rates.

As far as I know - the edu cess deduction is quite low, as is the provident fund deduction.

VAT on goods purchased is around 5% (again - sure others can correct me on this).

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Ian.

I have seen quite a few Japanese perhaps coming in on work or as tourist. However I do about any that stay.

I will make certain inquiries and see if I can find out.

But quicker still might be if you can link yourself to Japanese Embassy in Mumbai or Delhi and / or with Japan Intenational Trade Organi. *(JITO) perhaps is the name - they surely will be able to confirm about Japanese living in or near Ahmedabad.

All helps, thanks!

I have asked the HR department of the company how much tax and other deductions will be, so hopefully they will get back to me soon. I think it will be around 98,000 a month. Will that be enough to live and save?

When renting, are there any fees other than deposit? In japan, they have "key money" in addition to arrangement fees.

I'm not sure how much you'll save - depends on lifestyle. Most landlords look for anywhere from 6 months to a year's rent as 'deposit' up front (although you might be able to negotiate this with the landlord). Better from what I've heard to not use an agent. There are websites you can look through to get some ideas of renting like magicbricks (http://www.magicbricks.com/bricks/ci...ad_real_estate) and 99 acres (http://www.99acres.com/Ahmedabad-Real-Estate.htm)

We would be able to help you better if you let us know your minimum requirements. As you have plenty of options in Ahmedabad.

Expenses will all depend upon your preferred lifestyle. And believe me there are lots of options in which ever life style you prefer.

Nice city but the old city has the worst traffic I've seen anywhere in India. Beware

For rentals you may even contact a company with the name, "Space Management - Ahmedabad", they have good contacts and always have a decent list of properties.

I have no experience with renting properties from the internet.

Traffic: Is bad during office hours 9.30am - 11.30 am and in evening from 6.00 pm - 7.30pm. Otherwise situation is infact improving as many public transport projects are being expanded.

I'm getting a very good picture of the traffic and prospective living costs. I have enquired with some of the sites suggested about particular properties. Hopefully they will respond with more details and pictures. I think our budget will be 25,000 a month for a place, cos we might have visitors, and space is always good. As for lifestyle, our plan is to cook at home a lot, in order to save money. Hopefully, my wife and I can find a balance between all of these things.

Thank you all for your help!

hi all
My husband may get a one year expat assigment and we are thinking of living in Ahmedabad. Does any one know which some of the best international schools. Our son is 8 years. Also what areas are the best for families. Do they have furnsihed homes, that have a pool and park in the development and young families living there.

Dear Shingou,

Good to know that you are gonna move to ahmedabad.
Ahmedabad is a good city, basically a safe one .
So please do not worry about it.
I moved to ahmedabad last year and I have thouroughly enjoyed ahmedabad, though its a bit hot in summers.
I can assist you in case you need any help.

Do mail me if you need any assistance.
And may be I can help you wife as well coz I am studying Japanese for the past 5 years and I am into that field.
So let me know if you need help in any case

Regards,
Kamakshi