22 year old Indian-American moving to Mumbai - looking for flatmate

SShah

Hey everyone...I'm 22, an Indian-American guy moving to Mumbai next month to start work for a large investment bank as an analyst (one year in Mumbai, and one year back in New York). My office is in Fort, and I would ideally like to find a place close by in South Mumbai to live. I have two questions:

1) I have a budget of up to around INR40,000 per month to spend on renting a flat. Is it realistic to even hope to find a place for this much in South Mumbai? I'm not looking for a fancy expat community; anything that is clean and safe would be more than sufficient.

and 2) Is there anyone else looking to share an apartment in South Mumbai (or who already has a place with a spot open)? A fellow expat would be ideal. I'd be looking for anytime from mid-September onwards.

Thanks for the help!

AvidTrekker

An entire flat in Fort area is out of question. Rs. 100,000 to 250,000 per month.

Move to within "fair commuting" distance, say Nana Chowk or Grant Road (30 min commute) and you can get a tiny flat for 40,000 plus some big advance amount.
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__________________
The Universe is an ellipsoid?... or a Spheroid?? If the sphere smiles... it becomes an ellipse. This IS Creation.

brishti

40k in bandra/khar will get you a 1BHK... [bedroom, hall, kitchen]... but its a looong way from FORT... and the commute -

40k around the FORT area is equivalent to 400 rupees, ok, perhaps a thousand bucks
avid is being polite and understating, when he says 'big' advance. check out how 'big' the advance actually is.



:brishti

SShah

Thanks for the replies! Theoretically, if I did end up getting a 1 BHK in Bandra (Bandra West perhaps?) how long would the commute to Fort be on an average day (say around 7am)? Also, what would be the quickest way to get there (car/taxi/train/bike?)

nosianai

Bandra-Churchgate takes about 20min by train. It is slightly faster if you choose a "fast" train which would skip smaller stations. Going by train is the fastest option, though not a very comfy one.

Besides, I was looking for a flat in Bandra West for 40k, but the flats the agents showed me were either dingy or rotten or both. That was in July 2007. Naturally, prices would have risen even further North by now. Look for shared accomodation.

crashnburn_in

1st and foremost, congratulations on this opportunity at varied rare experience.

I grew up in Bombay and have been living in the US for 7 years now. I am actually moving back to Bombay for good in August.

I am guessing you just finished college and want to make the most of it. Find a place that is Safe and allows you to step out to the nicer spots.

South Bombay (Worli, Marine Drive, Napeasea Rd, Nariman Pt, Breach Candy, Colaba)
Western Suburbs (Bandra, Khar, Juhu)

South Bombay - You could possibly find Pay Guest / Roommate situations to your liking. I am not the best person to ask but I have a friend who works with E&Y and stays at Worli in a PG. I'll put you in touch with her. I have a couple of friends in Dadar, Worli, Town that might be able to provide some leads as well.

If none of that works out... you can always do Bandra Khar as Brishti has suggested. Bandra / Khar is in fact home to LOADS of young celebs, movie stars, models, ad film folks etc .

The thing is do you want a place of your own or rather find a roommate / friend who could be a good guide. Do you want to cook etc. ? Figure out your..

MUST HAVES:
MAYBES:
NOS:

PGs have Pros & Cons:
- Some might be restrictive
- You could get awesome home made food - Then again.. Bombay has no dearth of great places to eat. 24/7. Ofcourse, the sensitive American Immune system will have to be "EASED" in-to it.

Good luck. Let me know if you have any questions.

SShah

crashnburn:

Thanks for your advice, it is definitely very useful. I have, indeed, just graduated college, and this great opportunity came up somewhat last minute. I'm very excited at the opportunity to be able to work in Bombay, and I know it will definitely be a great learning experience.

In terms of PG versus my own place: I ideally would like to have a flat that I am renting rather than stay with a family. That said, I think I would really enjoy having a roommate, either an expat or someone local who is similar to me in age. Do you have any suggestions of how I could go about finding a roommate in Bombay?

crashnburn_in

I understand, "family" stay can be a bit of pain.

I am assuming you have some period of "initial stay" covered by the company at hotels? Relocation I presume.

Let me know when you're set to arrive.

I'll try to get you in touch with some people who might be able to help.

But, it would be rare for you to be able to have a place before arrival. It might take some footwork with right people when you land. Just like NYC.. finding a decent place in Manhattan where you dont have to spend through your nose..

brishti

sshah:

pg does not always mean you'd be 'sharing' with the family.
pg accomodation with an attached loo/bath and a separate entrance are also available.
your room is private, personal - no interaction with the landlord/lady whatever.
[ you have to reiterate you want a separate entrance when you're enquiring about them places from brokers/friends/whoever ]
some pg's have a kitchenette as well

IMO - pg is best suited to your budget if you want to live in town.

but yes - as crashnburn has said - you'll have to scout around once you get here.


:brishti

vincent-mum

Hi !

I'm 22 yr old, french and i arrived 3 weeks ago, untill august 2009. I'm working in an indian company for a French one!

So let me know when u want to arrive in Mumbai !

Have you find something for sleep ?

CU !

Vincent

crashnburn_in

Hi.. I just moved back from the United States having spent 7.5 years over there. I've traveled US & Europe and worked with people from US, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific, Japan etc.

I'd be more than glad to connect with / help / guide any expats or Return to India people. Please feel free to PM me and we can share our local numbers.

Good luck to everyone. Bombay is an amazing city... it is no short of New York, LA, SFO, London, Paris or Barcelona or even Amsterdam.

Next trip.. I need to go to Athens.

vincent-mum

Hi !

You can contact me in this address:

vincent29.gueguen@hotmail.fr and yes with pleasure we can met us in Mumbai !

Let me know when u can, etc!

CU

Vincent