Mumbai

Juberry

Hi all,

A year or so ago I joined india mike as a friend had pulled out of our trip to India and I found a cool chick to travel with. When I returned I posted another thread in relation to how do I find work in Mumbai. A year later I am in Mumbai and in the process of interviewing for work and staying with one of the people that responded to my thread and its all GREAT. Thanks so much!!

I am doing well in my interviews and have only 2 left and narrowing it down to a couple that interest me and meeting them again next week - thankfully they are also interested in me too. all with varying degrees of money and perks. Some have said they will look after my personal life and some have not.

I have just spent the last hour or so reading the living in mumbai threads and its just mind blowing so much to take in, I knew getting the job would be the first hurdle with many more to come. Kinda of some of the same questions but will try not to be repetitive as I have taken what I need from all the other advice, I just need it a little more targeted for me please.

I am an Aussie girl doing this on my own so any sound advice is greatly appreciated. I do have mates here that are Indian but its nice to get the perspective of fellow IM's as this site has always helped me.

Totally get the costs of maids etc, just dont understand the best place to find one and one that speaks a little english would be helpful until I learn some hindi. Please advise?

Can cars be leased so I can hire a driver and if so where and what is the cost? I understand this should cost me no more then 20-25K p/m car, driver, petrol. small car only there is only me. I just cant negotiate taxis every day it drives me a little mad and of course they tend to take advantage of me, no meter, staring etc. I can handle my own but I want some peace going to and from work etc.

Taxes, I will also ask the company to look after this but can someone recommend a great accountant please that knows the expat/foreigner stuff so i can confirm it and ask additional questions to get the best deal.

Lastly the apartment thing - my gosh where do I begin. Bandra/Khar is where I want to live. Who are the best people to speak to for just this area? Are there any people out there that want to share and are liberal, clean and easy to get along with?

Gyms - where is there a great gym in Bandra/Khar area and what is the monthly cost please?

Supermarkets in this area, are there any and if so where?

All the rest I am comfortable with or will work it out as I go along. I need to come back in the next couple of days with some idea of what my salary expectations are so need to consider what I need to get by. I am aiming for around 12-18 Lakh a year even if they supply everything for me. I have worked hard to get here so want to ensure I am comfortable and safe.

Again thanks for just being - India Mike, you have all been super helpful - dreams can come true.
Cheers
Jules

shashank.aggarwal

hey Jules, good to read your experience..

but I guess to get that kind of money either you need to have a top of the line degree OR if you have a middle level degree than atleast 10 years of experience to back it up..

I Know its not related..but the headhunter in me could not avoid to post..

by the way you can negotiate for the car in the salary package, your company might provide you the same...along with the driver or without one....if its with driver that should impact your package by Rs.12-15k pm and w/o driver around 5-7K..

And if its a good company it might not affect at all...

If you are getting interviewed in some Indian company..you can PM me their name to check their reputation.. as an emlpoyer..lets see what I can help you with my limited experience..

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Random Reviews

AvidTrekker

Once you finalize location of your workplace, it would be prudent to select an apartment near it. Bandra is of course, almost "ideal"; which is why quite expensive. [only South Mumbai is more expensive]

Commuting in Mumbai is a real big hassle [and getting worse]; so much that people have changed residences to reduce the commute.

Recently it was rated the tenth most expensive city in the World to live in... but without World Class infrastucture.

If you are OK with the "expensive" part, we live in a friendly city.... get settled in office first, then the house, car, maid etc. will follow.

Welcome to Mumbai !!

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The Universe is an ellipsoid?... or a Spheroid?? If the sphere smiles... it becomes an ellipse. This IS Creation.

Familyonthemove

Did somebody mention Supermarkets!

The best are currently in Malad West ....

Hypercity for easy shopping and wide range, including some imported. Spencers Hyper in InOrbit Mall (next to Hypercity) for prices. Le Marche - just South of InOrbit for a bit of French Hypermarket style.

Sahakari Bhandar in Matunga, Juhu and Bandra for small, local, cheap supermarkets with a good range and with home delivery/phone shopping.

Foodland Fresh in Juhu for (expensive) Western foods ... and for carnivores.

Crawford Market for fruit and veg.

Local kirana for service and convenience - but you may have to build a relationship to ensure he stocks what you need.

As for good housekeepers - we found that the best way is a recommendation from someone else who is either leaving or who's current housekeeper has a sister, mother, auntie, daughter ....

And yes - as others have said .... try to live near work

madridfan

Well so many queries....... i cant even handle the amount of questions you have asked out there..

well about the shopping... i guess someone has already helped you out with those..... well malad is quite a nice place.. but its a place which has very little expat population..... so i aint too sure if u would wanna put up there... though i must admit.. it a great place with good options all around....

If you have any queries .. feel free to write to moi....