Long-term (2 months) accomodation in Mumbai

hannahbw

Hi,

Tell me if you think this is crazy. I'm a twenty-year-old female college student, and I intend to spend June and July in Mumbai volunteering with a nonprofit organization called Akanksha. I've never been to India before. Since I'm not going through an official "volunteer program" (I think it's a little crazy to pay someone to let you work for free), I'm trying to set up my own accomodations. Ideally I'd like to do a homestay or go the paying guest route, but I'm having trouble figuring out how I can set this up ahead of time, how I can tell which places would be good for me as a single, young woman... etc. On the other hand, I'm also thinking about staying at least part of the time at the YWCA hostel. Any thoughts/advice? I'm worried that if I don't get my accomodations set up soon I won't have a place to stay when I get there, but I'm also trying to operate on a tight budget.

Thanks!

-Hannah

AvidTrekker

Commuting in Mumbai is hell.

Ideally you should stay as close to your work place as possible.

Folks at Akanksha themselves will happily guide you .... or you could ask them "which area" will you be working the most. Pick something close to your work place. Avoid commuting as much as possible.

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

chrisito

Finding accommodation in bombay indeed is hell... not sure what you can do beforehand- go to yahoo bombay expats group and ask the question maybe but don't fancy your chances. i think you're best staying in some cheap guest house and then get a list of people offering paying guest accommodation (from tourist office opposite churchgate station), and then give them a go. but remember as a paying guest you're the bottom of the ladder and don't expect smiley, friendly hosts- they might well be just interested in your money.

travel is difficult but not impossible. I would say make sure your accommodation is near a train station. You can always get a first class pass, which is not at all expensive and will save you the real crush.

hannahbw

Thanks. The folks at Akanksha are being helpful indeed. I figure Mumbai will be just like New York... but hotter and more hellish.

Oyar

What is your budget? Besides being very difficult to find accomodation - It is very expensive.

Where will your place of work be?

A friend of mine recently moved out of her paying guest accomodation. She was paying almost Rs. 11,000 per month inclusive of meals. But it was situated at quite a good area of Bandra.

I sugest you fix your budget & location first & then i am sure people will be able to give you more info.

chris123

Hi.. Good Morning and greetings from John - Mumbai - India.

I am in the social field and well accessed to Akansha (Mumbai), if you do not find any place you can stay with us at no cost, please let us know if you need pick up from airport on arrival.. apart being at Akansha you can also spend some time with our orphaned girl children at Amcha Ghar Trust. More details about this NGO at www.amchaghar.org , please let me know if this is acceptable to you..

Thanks in advance.

ananda2193

She's never been to India before. She does not even know you and you think that she's stupid enough to accept an invitation from a total stranger. She's a girl and your a boy. It sure sounds like your willing to help a little more than she would want.

Beware!!!!Hannahbw, and please go the legitimate route for accommodation if you choose to go to India.

You could always stay at the Salvation Army Hostel which has private rooms and is always full of other travelers who could help ease the culture shock and boredom.

Just some advice from the father of a daughter myself, who would never let her stay with a total stranger, especially a boy whom she never met!

NeeliAankhen

Does the Friends Society help people in your situation? this is probably very out of date information, but they used to arrange exchanges for students and if they still do I wonder if they keep references of nice families who take students.

Also if you are connected to a college or university I wonder if they have an exchange program of some kind, which would include their having access to resources where students find housing.

chris123

Hi. ananda2193

Good Morning and greetings from Dr. John - Mumbai.

I would like to invite you and your family to visit us in our "HOME FOR DESTITUTE GIRLS" located in Mumbai to experience our work for the under privileged.. Thank you very much for the quote related to inviting a stranger girl... For more info online.. feel free to visit www.amchaghar.org

At the moment we have overseas guest (Social work student) until May from Berlin, if this spanish girl wishes to access our service .. she can or she can be accommodated with our sister concern Spanish organization in Mumbai.. It would be better if you know a person and then comment on it.. anyway.. Regarding me.. I am not a boy anymore... I am married to a girl who works with the Central Excise Department - Mumbai as an accountant..

Hope this is clear to you.. thanks in advance

squidward

Right op... don't trust these internet friends, they are probably fine but who knows. Just stay in a normal guesthouse your first few days and pick up a Mid-Day daily newspaper -- they are full of adds for Paying Guest accomodation that you can see for yourself before getting into anything.

wonder wall

accomodation in bombay is definitely a major problem. avoiding or minimising the commute to work is the most important criteria. but given the constraints of finding a place, it often doesn't work out like that.

you should definitely try hostel accomodations like the YWCA. I have been living in a hostel for the past 8 months now, and its simply god-send in terms of the rent I pay and location (bandra). of course if the n.g.o. helps out on this front, then nothing like it.

the opoponax

Regarding the Salvation Army Hostel -- be aware that vacancies are few and far between. I showed up before 9AM and there was already no room in the inn, so to speak. Even in the dorms. They don't take reservations, and while the stay limit is a week it seems like nobody ever wants to give up that prime real estate...

You should expect to pay around 700 rupees per night in a 'budget' guesthouse, for a room without attached bath, in a relatively disreputable place. The YWCA is well over this and they don't take reservations without cash up front. (which kind of kills the point of a reservation, since if I can hand you cash then obviously I'm already here and don't need to reserve anything...)

With regard to commuting and the like, be aware that most cheap places to stay are around Colaba, in the far southern reaches of the city. If you'll be working in Navi Mumbai, this is just not going to fly.

Also, the thought that Mumbai is "like New York, but hotter" is wishful thinking. Mumbai is, population-wise, twice the size of New York. Also, it's laid out much more like Los Angeles, huge and sprawling and not always on a pedestrian's scale. There is no convenient and efficient subway/metro system, either (what exists seems to be more like a commuter train meant to get people between the suburbs and downtown). It also doesn't make sense the way Manhattan does. There's no grid or logical system of "Corner of 43rd street and 8th avenue" and all that.

With all of that doom and gloom, though, I do have one good idea for you -- check out couchsurfing.com. There are plenty of people all over Mumbai (more of them further outside the center, obviously), and lots of couples and women and non-sketchy folks.

mumbaihunter

HI Hannah.. looks you like u are all exited to come to India.. ...

nicknexus

Hey Wonder wall -

would u be able to let me know about the hostel u stay in - in Bandra? Thank u.

Anilk222

Hannah, if you are still struggling to find a decent place, then do let me know. Me and my family can host you. But I may need some letter from Akansha ( for my housing society purpose )