Delhi - I know what "touring" Delhi is like, what about living there?

mag

Hi Folks!
I'm new here but I'm loving this site.
Anyway, I'm moving to Delhi this September and am in need of advice.
First, which area is better to live in - Sunder Nagar, Lodi, or Defence Colony (I'm a single young female working in Sunder Nagar area - my colleagues would like me to live in a Pay and Guest house. I'm hoping to spend around 9000 INR with meals included (if living in Sunder Nagar)
Second, this isn't my first time living in India but my first time living in Delhi - is there anything you experienced India dwellers can tell me about life in Delhi (I've experienced the tourist side, what's it like to actually live there? Where are good places to meet other foreigners? How about other female locals?)

Thanks for everything!!

radz

Hi Welcome to Delhi.
Best area to live all 3 places u mentioned is good only,
But Defence colony,Lodi bit high on all aspects ,rent etc.
Its better go for paying guest accomadation with food.
Sunder Nagar sounds fine.
About how the life will be as foreigner living in Delhi,
i suggest you can ask "gweno'bribri "IM memeber ,
As she has been living in DELHI for last one year,
she may tell you exactely how it will be.

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Bonita

hi there..Welocome to Delhi..All the places you shortlist to live are excellent options. Sundar NAGAR is actually one of the lovleist neghborhoods, and one of the most exclusvie in Delhi..IT is quite central and located right across from the very expenive OBEROI hotel., and it is quite peaceful, serene, and Green!..yes!..Also, Sundar nagar has a cute little market area, filled with antique shops, clothing shops, art galleries, and a great little sweet meat place..Defense Colony is another great place to live, as it is located near a very happening a livey market area, Def colony market, filled with great resturants, bars, clubs, shops, and everything u need can be found in this market..IT IS one of my fave market areas in Delhi..It is more spread out then Sundar NAGAR, AS that is kind of a closed off, exlusive area...LODI IS ALso a viable option, and many foreginers live in south Delhi neighborhoods, such as Vasant vihar, South Extension, Great KALISH, cHANYAKPURI, ETC,,,maNY options..about living in dELHI, well, that is befitting of another post, and i am really tired now, but will write again/part 2/another day...Also, i would love to know, what type of accomdation u were able to find in Sundar NAGAR, Defense Colony,as i myself would like to re-locate to one of those neigbohoods this year..I HAVE been living on/off in Vasant vihar for many years, and i think i have had my fill of that neighborhood, so i am actully thinking of finding a new place..would appreciate your contacts as well...take care, and perhaps drop me a note so we can chat...I am a Amerian who has been living on/off in Delhi for many years..

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traceyam

Mag - I lived in Defence Colony a few years back. I'm a single female and I had a studio apartment. I lived near Central Park and the M-Block market (which had several good restaurants, including Chinese and Italian food). It was fine: safe, quiet, nearly tranquil. Not a happenin' hot spot by any means, but a nice neighborhood. Completely non-touristy. Neighbors were polite, not overly friendly and not terribly nosey, either. Cricket field down the block where the local kids played. The water went off once or twice but other than that the utilities were reliable. The block watch captains seemed on the ball and kept a good eye on things. The only time it was loud was during Diwali - for about a week firecrackers went off nonstop and taking a rickshaw anywhere was like riding through a war zone. Bring earplugs for that time.

I jogged the jogging path in Central Park nearly every morning. There was an assortment of "regulars" there, mostly middle-aged women walking the marked track in salwar kameez and middle-aged men walking it in velour track suits (heh). I didn't spend a lot of time wandering around the neighborhood by myself after dark, although I routinely walked back from the M-block market as late as 8PM and felt okay. A couple of feral dogs were the only danger. Hard to find a rickshaw after 10PM or so. Not a lot of shopping in the area but you can always take a rickshaw to Sarojini Market. Fresh fruit and vegetable wallahs came through each morning calling out their wares... ah, do I ever miss walking up to their calls!

My studio was furnished with a bed, desk, chairs, rugs, wardrobe, A/C, a cassette/radio (bonus! I love "All India Radio"), "Western" style bathroom with shower & flush toilet, a small fridge inside the studio, lovely huge balcony, and a complete locked kitchen around the corner. It cost Rs10,000/mo. which included breakfast and dinner and a servant who gave my studio and the locked kitchen a thorough cleaning and washed my dishes and clothes every day.

I would live there again, no question. Hope this helps.

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renedu

What is the best solution for 6 to 8 weeks? Is it better renting a room in someone's flat or getting a studio for that period??

Goldrush77

One reccomendation (maybe) for living in Delhi: you may want to think of buying a car or motorcycle.

But what does anyone else think of this? The metro seems to be actually picking up speed and, if it actually works as it says it will, will invalidate any need for a car or motorcycle (there are far, far too many in Delhi as it is). The corrolary to the whole too-many-vehicles thing, of course, is that it's pretty dangerous to drive. But nevertheless, I lived in Civil Lines North Delhi for six months and seriously wished that I had just taken the plunge and got a motorcycle.

traceyam

I think rickshaws and taxis are plentiful and inexpensive enough that you can do very well without a car or motorcycle.

vinayverma

Agree with Traceyam, for a short duration buying a car/motobike is waste and for a newcomer it might be difficult to srive around.
renedu: for 6-8 weeks, renting a studio or a room is not worth the efforts and money involved.
Try negotiating a long term deal(6-8 weeks) with one hte guest houses you like.

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spinnersingh

I think you would want to be here a good while before you would start DRIVING YOURSELF even Indians generally only drive around their own area. In Delhi it isn't realistic. Unless you are working for a charity a daily taxi should be thrown in for you.