Mumbai: Advice on area to live?

christian

Hi all,

I know these or very similar questions have been asked before but I'll try to be as specific as possible to get answers that I couldn't find yet. First a bit of background: I'm a single European male in his 30's, lived here and there (Australia, Europe, Singapore) in the last 8 yrs working as a scientist. I'll be starting a new job in Powai in February 08. During my visit for the interview I stayed in Hiranandani Gardens and quite frankly, I don't think that's my area. It looked more family oriented. I really couldn't find a bar other than aurora in my hotel which was dead when I yearned for a drink after the interview. So, I'm trying to juggle the three most important factors for me: relatively peaceful area (my hotel room was basically ON the round-about there), bars/nice cafes/shops in the vicinity, no horror commute (I imagine I'll be driving/being driven). And now let's see the questions:

- I was looking at Juhu and Andheri as possibilities. How dodgy is the drive to and fro Powai? What time are we roughly looking at? 30 min without rain? Is there a huge difference between Andheri E or W or Juhu regarding getting through the traffic northbound, cross the railway tracks? Looks easy going on google maps

- Is it realistic to find a place (1 or 2 BHK) in a relatively quite street, modern appartment, sea view (yeah, right) on a budget of 40,000 to 60,000/mth in Juhu? There seem to be appartment in that bracket on magicbricks but I'm not sure how dodgy they would be.

- I guess Bandra is completely out of the question re driving to Powai?

Thanks for reading this far. I'm sure more questions will pop up later... All comments will be highly appreciated.

Hope to see some of you guys and girls early next year!

Cheers,
Christian

capt_mahajan

Yes, consider Juhu, Andheri/Versova, Vile Parle and such ... but the Western side... most of what you are looking for is in the West.

Budget.. 1BHK should be possible, but wait for better informed posts..

Any drive is dodgy in Mumbai, sp. rush hour. And east west transits can be full of traffic snarls in small lanes.. till you hit the highway. I would put the drive at 40 mins, if you are living close to the sea on the Western side, to Powai.

Living in the East may make the drive much easier. But then, if the east, Hiranandani (I know ) is a decent option. Bars etc are there near the domestic airport (hotels). I would relook at Hiranandani again.. it will be convenient for everything else, and you can always be driven into the Western suburbs.

Quiet and peaceful apartments are at a premium in Mumbai, but I am out of touch with todays rental rates, so will leavet that question.

navinkurian2002

The first two point are easily satisfied .It is points 3-4 which are tough.

1. relatively peaceful area (my hotel room was basically ON the round-about there),
2. bars/nice cafes/shops in the vicinity,
3. no horror commute
4. 30 min without rain

lets see
Malad? Taking the jogeshwari flyover to work and back.Could do it in 30 min
Andheri west (evening can be hell in the traffic at times). It would all depend on the route and the traffic cops not switching off the signals.
Bandra . taking the highway to work .and back.. looking at 1-2 hours .(good if you have a chauffer driven air conditioned car)

You would be able to get a good deal for 20k/month for 1BHK

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mairangi_vice

going east-west across mumbai is especially bad during peak times, as most main roads run north-south. having said that, of course, going anywhere in mumbai is a nightmare at peak times, or anytime, sometimes.

40-60k per will get you a nice apartment, though maybe not with a sea view. There are lots of new buildings going up in Oshiwara/Malad area which will fit your needs. But from there you will needs to allow at least 40 mins for the commute, probably up to 1 hour if its extra bad.

christian

Thanks a lot to all of you for your input. So it'll be 45 min to an hour for anything that's in the West. That obviously feels quite off-putting if you're facing that everyday.

I'll look into Hiranandani again I guess. Who knows, maybe I'll become a great bowling and in-door cart racing fan. And maybe there are some attractions I haven't found the first time around.

Malad might be a good option but seems a bit far out of town. But if it means a little piece of trannquility it could be worth it. Will have a look at it after arrival.

Thanks again and a great New Year!

Christian

Felicity

So Christian, have you moved in powai finally?
I might be pretty much in the same situation soon, and just can't think of staying in Powai. No point staying in a happening and sea city like mumbai to be isolated in Powai.
I am thinking of a sea-looking apt in Juhu/Bandra too and would be glad to know about your experience and final choice.
other question is, what are peak hour in Mumbai? i am staying for three years in India and my experience taught me that people reach office around ten. Coming at nine should help.
Any input?
Cheers

christian

Hi Felicity,

Apologies for the late reply but I just got my internet connected at home. Everything takes it sweet little time...

I have to admit I took the easy way out and finally moved into an appartment close to work. I had been staying with a friend in Hiranandani for three weeks and just got used to being able to stroll to work. Now, I live in Chandivali which is still a short commute by auto. Oh and yes, "night life" really stinks in this area.

Weekends I spend mostly in Juhu and Bandra which is a bit of a nightmare to reach (but on Sundays surely better than in peak hours - which seems to be pretty much all day) but I surely wouldn't like that experience every morning. But hey, that's me and I might change my mind once the first year is over. We'll see.

Let me know your experience. You work in Powai area? If you want to meet up some time for lunch or so let me know! I'm just about to start to get some form of social life again...

Cheers,
Christian