Living Cost in Kolkata

lozissou · Aug 8th, 2008, 18:41

Hello!
I am a Ph.D. Researcher in Film Studies; I recently won a grant for a three-year Ph.D. at Jadavpur University in Kolkata and with this ICCR grant I will earn 4800 rupees per month, 9000 per annum plus 3000 per month for the house rent.

Do you think it will be a satisfactory amount of money to have a decent life in Kolkata? What about just the house renting?

Finally, is Jadavpur University a good University?

Thanks,
Roberto

nayan · Aug 8th, 2008, 19:02

I can personally vouch for the fact that Jadavpur is a very good university for science and egineering faculty.

Its reputed to be good for humanities too.... I dont know anything about its film studies(?)dept.

With 3000 per month house rent the best possible option for you will be a paying guest accomodation nearby the university.

At 4800 per month you will be living little better than a graduate student (I think that is the standard of living the stripend aims for

).

Just to give you an idea.... the starting salary(monthly) for a software engineer(fresh out of college)is about 20000 to 25000 rupees.

what is the 9000 per anum meant for?

gorigirl · Aug 8th, 2008, 19:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by lozissou

Hello!Do you think it will be a satisfactory amount of money to have a decent life in Kolkata? What about just the house renting?

I guess that depends on what kind of lifestyle you consider 'decent'. Most foreigners that I know live in 1 or 2 bedroom flats in South Kolkata (in middle class neighborhoods like Golpark, Gariahat, Hindustan Park, Ballygunge, Tirangular Park, Kalighat) and pay anywhere from 8,000 to 15,000Rs per month, just for rent.

singsub · Aug 8th, 2008, 19:25

i daresay it is not enough. you may have to spend some of your own money. JU is a good university though and not too far from the SRFTI.

lozissou · Aug 8th, 2008, 20:12

Thanks to everyone.
Well, decent to me means a clean, sufficiently big (not so big, not so small) one-person room/bedroom, possibly with an DSL web connection for laptop. I mean, basic things to be a good-profit student or sort of.
The 9000 per anum grant is just the general grant, I guess.

Roberto

nayan · Aug 8th, 2008, 20:33

Well Lozissou,
if you mean to live a student life style then 4800+3000= 7800 is a good enough amount.

You will easily get a paying guest accomodation in south kolkata(not the more "posh" parts though)for 3000. This means a room (with attached bathroom)within a family's house/apartment.

The net conection may be trickier. You may have to request your houseowner to get a connection for yourself. It shouldnot cost you more than 500 to 600 a month for broadband if you use it for surfing and not for up/downloading media.

4800 will last you a month if you live frugally ie.... eat at the university canteens or cheap cafes etc.

lozissou · Aug 8th, 2008, 20:43

Thanks, nayan.
Could you gently suggest me where and how I can surf to look for and hopefully find options for paying guest accomodation? Are there some websites for those, maybe? Let me know please.

Cheers.

nayan · Aug 8th, 2008, 20:56

I dont know any websites advertising PG. There are lots of advertisements in classifieds of newspapers like telegraph, statesman and times of India(kolkata edition).

The best solution would be to get it through some student's or proffesor's reference.

You will have to arrange it once you are in kolkata. you should not agree to a place without seeing it first and talking to the landlords. There are usually restrictions like "female visitors not allowed" and "come home before 10pm" and "no alcohol consumption in the room" etc etc.

kumar09 · Aug 8th, 2008, 22:47

How about hostel in Jadovpore university. Otherwise, you can take a small bedroom rent near university. Please search www.99acres.com or magicbricks.com for rent.You can discuss univ. authority for accommodation. Jadavpore University is very good and so is the campus.
Thanks

singsub · Aug 9th, 2008, 01:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by kumar09

How about hostel in Jadovpore university.

thats a good option too.

nayan · Aug 9th, 2008, 01:42

I dont think hostel in jadavpore university will be available for a Phd researcher. Usually undergraduate and Graduate students get preference and the hostels are usually full to brim.

singsub · Aug 9th, 2008, 02:46

in that case some other hostel perhaps....

nayan · Aug 9th, 2008, 03:03

Singsub,
Are you familiar with what "private hostels" in kolkata look like?

singsub · Aug 9th, 2008, 03:56

i havent stayed in one ever. but they arnt top class i know. well then what are his options then ?? paying guest in the jodhpur park area?? santoshpur?? somewhwre on anwar shah road maybe?

nayan · Aug 9th, 2008, 04:00

They will anyday be better than a "hostel". he will have a room of his own and some peace and quiet.

Lots of PGs available in Tollygunge area.

Aug 8th, 2008, 18:41	#1
lozissou Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Italy Posts: 6	Living Cost in Kolkata Hello! I am a Ph.D. Researcher in Film Studies; I recently won a grant for a three-year Ph.D. at Jadavpur University in Kolkata and with this ICCR grant I will earn 4800 rupees per month, 9000 per annum plus 3000 per month for the house rent. Do you think it will be a satisfactory amount of money to have a decent life in Kolkata? What about just the house renting? Finally, is Jadavpur University a good University? Thanks, Roberto

Aug 8th, 2008, 22:47	#9
kumar09 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: US Posts: 14	Jadvpore University How about hostel in Jadovpore university. Otherwise, you can take a small bedroom rent near university. Please search www.99acres.com or magicbricks.com for rent.You can discuss univ. authority for accommodation. Jadavpore University is very good and so is the campus. Thanks

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Aug 8th, 2008, 19:02	#2
nayan Forum Leader Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hyderabad/tokyo Posts: 1,930	I can personally vouch for the fact that Jadavpur is a very good university for science and egineering faculty. Its reputed to be good for humanities too.... I dont know anything about its film studies(?)dept. With 3000 per month house rent the best possible option for you will be a paying guest accomodation nearby the university. At 4800 per month you will be living little better than a graduate student (I think that is the standard of living the stripend aims for ). Just to give you an idea.... the starting salary(monthly) for a software engineer(fresh out of college)is about 20000 to 25000 rupees. what is the 9000 per anum meant for?

Aug 8th, 2008, 19:25	#4
singsub Account Closed Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: right next door to hell Posts: 1,163	i daresay it is not enough. you may have to spend some of your own money. JU is a good university though and not too far from the SRFTI.

Aug 8th, 2008, 20:12	#5
lozissou Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Italy Posts: 6	Thanks to everyone. Well, decent to me means a clean, sufficiently big (not so big, not so small) one-person room/bedroom, possibly with an DSL web connection for laptop. I mean, basic things to be a good-profit student or sort of. The 9000 per anum grant is just the general grant, I guess. Roberto

Aug 8th, 2008, 20:33	#6
nayan Forum Leader Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hyderabad/tokyo Posts: 1,930	Well Lozissou, if you mean to live a student life style then 4800+3000= 7800 is a good enough amount. You will easily get a paying guest accomodation in south kolkata(not the more "posh" parts though)for 3000. This means a room (with attached bathroom)within a family's house/apartment. The net conection may be trickier. You may have to request your houseowner to get a connection for yourself. It shouldnot cost you more than 500 to 600 a month for broadband if you use it for surfing and not for up/downloading media. 4800 will last you a month if you live frugally ie.... eat at the university canteens or cheap cafes etc.

Aug 8th, 2008, 20:43	#7
lozissou Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Italy Posts: 6	Thanks, nayan. Could you gently suggest me where and how I can surf to look for and hopefully find options for paying guest accomodation? Are there some websites for those, maybe? Let me know please. Cheers.

Aug 8th, 2008, 20:56	#8
nayan Forum Leader Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hyderabad/tokyo Posts: 1,930	I dont know any websites advertising PG. There are lots of advertisements in classifieds of newspapers like telegraph, statesman and times of India(kolkata edition). The best solution would be to get it through some student's or proffesor's reference. You will have to arrange it once you are in kolkata. you should not agree to a place without seeing it first and talking to the landlords. There are usually restrictions like "female visitors not allowed" and "come home before 10pm" and "no alcohol consumption in the room" etc etc.

Aug 9th, 2008, 01:42	#11
nayan Forum Leader Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hyderabad/tokyo Posts: 1,930	I dont think hostel in jadavpore university will be available for a Phd researcher. Usually undergraduate and Graduate students get preference and the hostels are usually full to brim.

Aug 9th, 2008, 02:46	#12
singsub Account Closed Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: right next door to hell Posts: 1,163	in that case some other hostel perhaps....

Aug 9th, 2008, 03:03	#13
nayan Forum Leader Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hyderabad/tokyo Posts: 1,930	Singsub, Are you familiar with what "private hostels" in kolkata look like?

Aug 9th, 2008, 03:56	#14
singsub Account Closed Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: right next door to hell Posts: 1,163	i havent stayed in one ever. but they arnt top class i know. well then what are his options then ?? paying guest in the jodhpur park area?? santoshpur?? somewhwre on anwar shah road maybe?

Aug 9th, 2008, 04:00	#15
nayan Forum Leader Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hyderabad/tokyo Posts: 1,930	They will anyday be better than a "hostel". he will have a room of his own and some peace and quiet. Lots of PGs available in Tollygunge area.