Mumbai: Low cost living?

snonymous

Nice costings Avid Trekker !

Martisha

Dhanyawad Avidtrekker.

just a faster replay; i´ll come back tomorrow. to check everything again. Cheers!!

AvidTrekker

I assume that Kingfisher Airlines is taking him as a pilot.

In which case he will draw some 350,000 to 500,000 rupees a month. Not exactly "trouble" compared to 30,000 per month budget which I have drawn up for the OP.

Mumbai is very hectic. Typical big city. People get caught up in the whirl.

Since he is with Airlines, you will have to stay within commuting distance of the Airport.

Most expats prefer Juhu, its terribly expensive. Second choice is Andheri East, I would live here. Third choice is Powai due to modern constructed buildings and "townships".

I don't feel you will have any trouble in Mumbai.

WELCOME to Mumbai
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jennifer sagoo

So being so different from everyone else in Mumbai...how are American Women expats received there? Honestly, are people friendly? Are there a few personal tips I need to know about people and culture?
Thank you!!!

AvidTrekker

People in Mumbai are quite friendly and helpful in general.

Be street smart and land up in Mumbai. You will pick up things very easily.
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brishti

i aint a mumbaikar - but i can vouch for the fact, that mumbai definitely is a user-friendly city


:brishti

Martisha

Navi Mumbai, downtown Vashi, sounds nice. However, is it ALWAYS compulsory those 12 months inadvance?? No way im going then! COuld you give me some nice and erasonable price/quality web pages to find a place to stay, i know some alreay though.

Without AC and a good fan, is it possible to "survive" summer heat? it would be my first time in India, i am not used to ... how many celsius degrees?!!

I dont need a cleaning person, I never did; is it "on the house"? I mean, can you choose not to get one?

No problems with not going to fancy places or drinking, a glass of wine could last hours!!

Forgive my "ignorance", How is Panvel like? Where about or how far from downtown Mumbai? You said it is a cheaper area, though, right?

THANKS again!!

capt_mahajan

Without a fan, close to impossible; Mumbai can get very humid.

Temperatures are in the 30's, centigrade, usually. Panvel may be slightly cooler.

Panvel to 'downtown' Mumbai will be a two hour railway commute, or more, depending on distances travelled from the stations at either end. Not that a car would be much faster.

The cleaning lady is optional.

And, if I may say so, Panvel is not 'typical' Mumbai, if that is what you are looking for. The commute, if regular, is likely to drain you if you are not used to it.

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brishti

railway commute in mumbai
of course, there're the first class compartments which are easier to get-on/off from!

4 wheelers have the traffic to contend with

panvel is faaar from downtown mumbai, as are all places in navi mumbai.
i believe navi mumbai is rapidly developing into this-mall and that-mall townships.


:brishti

Martisha

Not looking for typical Mumbai, or typical anything, really. Ready to learn and mix myself around. however, still to be confirmed WHEN and for how long. I need to go to London first, bl alablabla full of uncertainties!!

Panvel, maybe too far away if i want to have hindi, yoga and bollywood dancing lessons, i guess. Unless (...)

sthakur

This is what cost me for 6 months in Mumbai from Oct/06 to April 07:


Location: Dadar West
Rent: $0.00 (Family Owned)
Electricity: RS 15,600 (ac on most of the time)
Water: Included
Internet: Rs 8,000
First Class Railway Pass: Rs 6,000
(Dadar to Kalyan Junction)
Taxis (Dadar to Fort): Rs 18,000
Food (mostly resturants): Rs 75,000
Drinks and Nightlife: Rs 45,000
Misc: Rs 15,000

Total: Rs 182600 , monthly Rs 34,333

Considering I did not have to pay rent or any lodging costs (other the electricity and Internet) Mumbai is on par with Toronto or any western city. Locals may do it alot cheaper, but I couldn't, just too much hassle.

sthakur

Martisha

Thanks, but we are talking about diferent budgets here. Besides, though not a "local", i may not need many of the things in your list.

And you were there a couple of yeas ago, so now... sh*** even worse!!

DHANYAWAD, anyway.

AvidTrekker

For your budget, you CAN rent out a place in Vashi for around 6000 a month. It will be in an old building, quite small studio type apartment, (around 225 square feet), just a room with a small bathroom and kitchen attached. The walls might require minor repairs etc. .... buts thats all thats possible for 5000 to 6000.

Vashi is the centre of everything in Navi Mumbai. Yoga and maybe Dance classes too are in Vashi itself. Hindi don't know... but there are many schools and you can always contact the Hindi teacher of the school. The food and vegetable market are nearby and everything is within breathing distance.

If you live sensibly (thriftily) like lots of Indians, you can very well live in Vashi for around 25000 a month, even lesser than your 30000. It means not eating out in fancy places, no alcoholic drinks in hotels, no airconditioning, and so on.

Currently its 33 to 35 degrees Celsius, sometimes going up to 38 deg on some days. Thje humidity is around 60 to 85 per cent, which is the real killer. We get all sticky coz the perspiration doesn't dry out. It feels dirty and muggy.

Vashi is a nice and friendly place with people and markets nearby. For 30,000 amonth I would choose Vashi. It is "downtown Navi Mumbai" (Navi means "New") Small room is the only limitation... but one goes only to sleep at night, isn't it??

Although I live in downtown Mumbai, I have more friends in Vashi. Come down to Mumbai and get introduced to Vashi people. Your room will be fixed in around 15 to 20 days maximum. It cannot be done before you come because you will have to see it in person.

All the BEST of LUCK for your Mumbai stay.
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sthakur

Just a thought, a little off topic, but why would anyone from a developed nation want to live in India on a budget, when your earning potential is greatly reduced and the Western style of living is not cheap. It would make sense to make as much as money as possible in you own country, then migrate to India when you think you have a enough to live a good life there.

For example in an article I read, NRI's who decide to move back to India, in major metros need approx: $600k US just to sustain the level of comfort they are used to.

s.thakur

Jasmin

Is that per year? Or do you mean in order to move back permanently without needing to work?

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