Family moving to Mumbai?

So I have looked through here to try and understand what to do as expats in Mumbai, just I was wondering if any of you could give me more cateed advice to moving.
I've recently been offered a job in Mumbai and am now trying to prepare myself and my family (i have 3 kids, 10,10 and 16) for the move.

What type of accomodation is there mainly? (e.g. houses, bungalows, apartments)
What are the best international schools?
What do teenagers do for fun?
(e.g. Can I let my (16) daughter go out with friends or is it not safe?)
How safe is it? (e.g. home wise etc)
Any other comments on Mumbai living?

Regards Liz

Did you look here: http://www.indiamike.com/india/moving-to-mumbai-f101/

hey Liz..

Welcome to City of Mumbai..i have been born N brought up here and i have had a great experience living here as compared to other cities in India. Its safe and sound unless apart from other security issues which take place around the world as you know what i mean.

Well, life is too fast and busy over here in terms of work related matters so it would all depend on what sort of job are you gonna do as i dont think you will get time to involve yourself in any other social activities as you already have your kids to be taken care of..!

Yes, most of the people over here are quite friendly and would be helpful in matters concerning you as most of the people here are well educated...there are always an exception to this rule as it would all depend on what sort of people you hang out with and am sure you would understand them well once you have passed a few months here.

Regarding your children , i think they all are very young to go out alone with their friends ..it is surely not advisable as its a matter of serious concern specially if its a girl....!there are many entertainment hubs over here for children like parks, malls, theatres....you need not worry about your childrens play as they would enjoy it out here.

Lastly but not the Least...I deal in properties over here in terms of buying N selling of houses or on Rent..Expats mostly live here in apartments in good well maintained towers or buildings as it is safe for them also no one would opt for a bungalow as the cost of living is way too high unless your companny would provide you one...but not advisable , and aparments or buildings consist of high society people with whom you can mix around and even your children would get some friends for their company...rather being left alone in bungalows .

Again all of the above advice would depend on your stay of location and type and timings of job you are gonna do...life is sure good and easy here.. i wish you all the very best and luck..i hope my advice would help your cause..

Thank you very much!
I wanted to take the job as it is an opportunity of a life time, my daughter is the only one to have actually visited India (she went on a school trip last month) but she only visited the North (Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi) I;ve heard that Mumbai is quite different to that, is there any truth in that?

Thank you so much, I think my main concern was entertainment and how you go about that but I guess when the kids are in school I'll just go with the flow.

Thanks!!!
Liz

Sorry I have another question, thanks though for the advice it was most appreciated!

When my daughter went to India on a school trip, she commented that even in more western looking shops, that she had to haggle for items. Is this the case?
As in, if we were in a Mall, would we be expected to have to haggle for items as people will presume we're rich just because we're white?

Mumbai is different from the North in many ways just as any place in India is different (ever so slightly) from a place 10 km in any direction. Its a very crowded city with a very fast paced life and usual problems that you see in a large metro in India - Traffic, Pollution, shortage of civic amenities, overcrowding, lack of green spaces etc.

Mumbai has a wide assortment of options for entertainment - movies, theater, Music, pubs/disco, beaches, malls etc Better thn most other cities in India.

While bargaining (I won't call it haggling) is a way of life in most of india, it is not everywhere. Most large stores/malls have fixed prices and bargaining is not necessary or expected/encouraged.

It would help more if you mention more about the kind of work that you are taking up here, the area where your work place is and how far/close you plan to stay, your budget and any other like proximity to schools, hospitals, malls etc.

Thats correct, it can't be denied that indian shopkeepers presume that whites are rich ! be it in Mumbai or any other part of india. Western looking shops would be the same as they are manned by Indians only ! However, you can safely shop in a big reputed mall without haggling or bargaining.