Delhi Living Costs

AusE

Okay, considering a job offer in Delhi, package is downsized to say the least compared to current gig, but if I want to stay in India... you gotta do what you gotta do.......!

So accommodation would be covered, however I would be paying for the following items so looking for some approx. prices please:

1. Electricity: 1 person, I don't take forever in the shower and use AC just to cool my place down a little, maybe 20 mins a day. Someone told me the companies bill bi-monthly?!

2. Maid: either full time to cook, (washing I'd prefer to do myself), or just someone coming for the floors etc

3. Personal transport: from what I've read radio cabs aren't that reliable? So for evening transportation I could fork out for a driver, or cab it? I'm quite happy roaming around in a rick etc in Bombay late at night, but have been advised not to do that in Delhi by many people

4. Food: are food prices more/less than Bombay?

I know accommodation etc is substantially less than Bombay, but how do the cities compare in terms of going out for dinner/drink etc?

At this stage would be living at Dwarka for a month, then moving into own pad.

Oh yes, and can anyone suggest an economical way to send all the gear I've accumulated to Delhi? courier? general parcel post? we would be talking around 5 or 6 large-ish cardboard boxes..

thanks for your help

delhiwala

Well ! I don't think you can manage Delhi summers with just 20 mins. of AC a day, however if that's the case, your Electricity bill should be within Rs. 1000 per month.

Cook - Rs. 1500 per month for one time visit.
Floors only - Rs. 600 per month

I would say,opposite of this. Radio Cabs are very reliable. I do not know your gender, but if you are a lady, late night Auto Rickshaws are not recommended.

I think, you mean groceries and vegetables etc... You will feel that prices are slightly lower in Delhi.


Depends upon the place. In a reasonably good restaurant (other than 5 stars) expect to pay around Rs. 500 per head. This does not include any alcohalic drinks.

Where will your own pad be...charges of domestic help will depend on the area.

Pack them well and book them on a train. It's the most economical and reliable method. Needless to say, crockery / vases etc will not reach in single pieces.

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Indojingai

Pricing an all are similar, its the differences in Delhi and Bombay culture that'll be bigger.

Delhi costs just slightly less to live in than Bombay. Essentially lower rents compared to best locations in Bombay.

Dwarka is close to Gurgaon/Delhi so finding own pad there will be a nice option too.

Using a local acquintance to setup maid, car wash et all. Will save atleast 50%!

Cheers!

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vgwals

Hi,

I second to indojingai!! I have been brought up in Delhi and am now working in bombay.. there is a huge cultural difference in the mentality and behaviour of people!! In Delhi you would find even the ricks and the taxi drivers being very aggressive!!

Although bombay has its problems with infra and all, it indeed has a system in place for almost everything,

On the contrary, i wouldn't discourage you to experience Delhi. Driving around is a pleasure. Even the Metro is good..I would rate Delhi much ahead in terms of eating outlets..From rentals to eating out, everything would be less expensive vis-a-vis bombay!!..

expat community is closely constituted in Delhi.. You would find most of them in gurgaon and South delhi.

Most welcome to know anything further,

V

AusE

Thanks for your replies, any suggestions for a club with a nice pool to join or something along those lines? what are the approx. costs? at this stage based in Delhi until end of monsoon or so, so not sure if they pro-rata memberships? just some general names as am not sure of location yet where I will be setting up my pad, after an initial settling in period in Dwarka.

and if I survive on just 20 mins of AC a day I will let you know! haha!

delhiwala

Getting into a Club in Delhi is very very difficult ! Consult some expats....

Nick-H

The whole point of clubs is to be difficult to get into!

yeayea420

We live in Gurgaon (2 people), the price here for a maid (about 2-3 hours a day) she come once or twice a day, depends on maid's availability, is about 1500 rupees a month. However, be aware, that sometimes they will overcharge (we are being charged 3000 for dishes, floors everyday...and bathroom cleaning twice a month). Everyone else pays 1500 tho, so like states before, get a local person to help you out. I believe 1500 is going price for Gurgaon and only gets cheaper in rohini, dwarka, etc (not too sure about that tho).
A word of caution, our maid speaks only Bengali (so if you know hindi, make sure your maid does too ), so I have to show her everything I want done (I know only hindi and english), not so bad but disturbing sometimes because explanation gets lost in translation, like use less soap, turned out to be, no soap at all .

Hope that helps.