Moving to Ahmedabad from Bangalore

Hello friends,

I am an IT professional relocating to Ahmedabad from BANGALORE in October 2012. My wife is a Home-maker. We are pure vegetarians.

Please let me know the information pertaining to my below queries:

A. How is the COST OF LIVING standards in Ahmedabad?

B. I am looking for Multi-storeyed Apartment (2/3 BHK) in and around Ellis bridge, Ambavadi areas.
What could be the approximate rent in these locations? Are there accessible amenities nearby? (such as Super-Market, Hospital, Bus-stops, Parks etc)

C. How do you rate Quality of Living Standards in Ahmedabad, in terms of Environment/Green Atmosphere, People/Public behavior, Humanity/Kindness elements, Work-Life culture etc. ?

D. In view of Transportation, how good or bad is it? Bus/Auto-rickshaw/Metro-trains (if any)

E. How do you find the basic necessities and their services on Newspapers, Milk/Water/Power supply, Cable-TV & GAS connection etc?

F. Please let me know about the weather conditions in all seasons


I appreciate your valuable time and patience in answering to my above queries.

Looking forward to hear from you soon,

Truly,
Narasimha

Hi Narsimha:

Do you mean, you are taking up a job in some IT company in Ahmedabad ? Is that why you intend to relocate ? Do you see that as short-term (<2 years) or mid-term (2 < term <= 5 years) ?

Look forward to your reply.

Thanks Saifi for your response.

Yes, I am taking up a job in IT company and intend to stay in Ahmedabad for more than 2 years. Therefore, I wanted to seek guidance in view of Cost-of-Living-Standards.

Narasimha
You have picked a nice town to move into. Of all the cities I have lived in, I like Ahmedabad the best. And the other 3 cities I have lived in are Metros. If I have to describe it one line: Ahmedabad is a very comfortable city to live in with a slightly less entertainment quotient. But then the idea entertainment differs from person to person. That its a dry city is all nonsense. You just do not have bars/pubs - otherwise you get most of what you get in other cities and door delivered. Now to your long list of questions:

1.Cost of living: Much cheaper than the metros. I paid half on housing compared to what I am paying now for a like for like location and flat. And I ate much more fruit there.

2.Flat: Ellis Bridge/Amavadi are good but slightly older locations and so will be flats. Check out in and around SG Highway, Prahlad Nagar, Satellite areas. They are newer and have the works. A good 3BHK in a good society in a good location should cost you around 20K

3.People: Good folk. Unlike other busy cities, you get to know your neighbors really fast and well. Easy to work with and very friendly. I like them.

4.Transportation: Public transport is virtually non existent. It sucks. Personal vehicles are must haves. Doesn't matter if its 2 or 4 wheeler. But the roads are very good and broad.

5.Traffic: I must write a line on this. The rules don't apply in this city. You can drive and park wherever you want. People coming from other towns love to talk and joke about A'bad traffic. The best part is there are no jams or snail paced traffic movement. Most of the places in the city can be covered within 15 to 30 mins time.


6.Infrastructure & Facilities: This city is No:1. It simply is. The average electricity cut is less than once a year. Now that is something. Amul milk rocks! No problem with any of the facilities you mentioned. They are same or better than most cities.

7.Weather: Every Rose has its Thorn.The summers are bad. I mean really bad. Reaches 45 degrees in May. Because it is not very humid, you get baked unlike Madras where you get boiled. But the winters are lovely. Very enjoyable.

That is it for today. Have fun.

Hello Weaknee,

Thanks for your message response to my post. After reading your comments, it certainly does help in making decision faster and further getting more confident/satisfied to make this move.

Are you a native of Ahmedabad? How long you stayed in this city?
How do you rate the quality of Education in Schools (CBSE Private) and Colleges?

Hope I am not bothering with too many queries. Its just that I want to be equipped with all related information before I make a final decision.

Again, Thanks for your solid support, patience and time.

- Narasimha

Hi Narsimha:

Whatever juice is left in the IT opportunity in India, is best available in Bangalore. We lived and looked at very close quarters in the IT sector across Delhi, Noida, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and Chennai.

If your choice of movement to another city is to diversify your IT experience then Pune and Hyderabad are very good options.

You may want to think through this !

Regarding the details about Ahmedabad or Vadodara for that matter.

• Post earthquake and riots, the city has been 'cleaned up'.
• Apartments will rent to 'veggies only', that you are.
• Your current choice of locality is fine.
• Lots of shopping opoprtunities and eating opportunities.
• People are like in any other Indian city, albeit with a sweet tooth for quick bucks.
• Cost of living will be less, but the gap in apartment rentals is reducing thanks to NRI investments and returnees.
• Schools are for school children but Gujarat board doesn't cut it. You'll have to locate a decent CBSE/ISC school.
• Temperature. It's hot ray, but so is Mumbai or Hyderabad. You'll sit in AC anyway.
• The theory is that Ahmedabad is a dry city, the reality is that Ratanpur is nearby :-)

Hope that helps. If you have any specific question, let me know.