living condition, accommodation etc

Hello Jason...

Working and living in Mumbai will be quite different as cof pared to your home country...Mumbai as a city is very vibrant, speedy lifestyle but fun to be...I have friends from different countries who have visit Mumbai and most of them like it...it depends on which part of mumbai you will  be living at? I am in mumbai for another month or so.please write if u need any more information....

Hello Jason and John,

Hoe you are doing well 

A new thread has been created from your posts on the Mumbai forum so that you may get some feedbacks.

Yes indeed as mentioned by John it will be better if you could give more infos.

However, you may read the topics already launched under the two following sections to get a broader idea :

- Find an accommodation in Mumbai

- Everyday life in Mumbai

Best of luck to both of you,
Bhavna

hello everyone,
I am in the same situation as Jason , - new role in Mumbai and will be starting work the moment I step down from the plane. I have never been to India and therefore not sure if I will have difficulties in dealing with the food and living conditions.
Hope to get some advice on accommodation and  food. All negatives tells me no street food. Are there shops like Westsfield, Coles and Woolies in Mumbai.
hope to hear ,,thanks.
philip

Hello Philip,

When are you coming to Mumbai?
I can suggest you locations like powai and bandra which have a huge amount of expat population.

As far as accommodation is considered, there is no limitation or scarcity over affordable hotels available in India. Even on short notice, one can easily get into ***

Hi! Guys , I lived in Mumbai for abt 5 years so can be of some advice. Mumbai can be thought of in 3 diverging lines with starting point as south Mumbai.
1.One goes straight up touching South Mumbai-Dadar-Bandra-Andheri-Goregaon-Malad-Borvili -Mira Bhayander
2. Diverges slight to right from South Mumbai -Dadar- Sion-Vikroli-Powai-Thane-Kalyan
3. Diverges almost to perpendicular right as South Mumbai - Dadar- Sion -Chembur - Navi Mumbai  - Pune

Commuting is the biggest pain so try to be closer to your office within your budget if case your work is on move then best to be in a central location like Andheri / Goregaon. Flat sharing is not too difficult but finding compatible roomies is the key...

Rents rise steeply as you move south and drop to around 20K-25K towards Goregaon / Malad and northwards....

Almost everything can be ordered for home delivery over phone from laundry, groceries , water to Booze...

Hey Jason, as far as talking about living condition in Mumbai, you will enjoy it and feel yourself calm working here. I think you will have to take care during monsoon or rainy days as you may found nastiest condition outdoor. You must keep your rainwears. I always recommend you to buy a branded rain suit, jackets if you are acquainted about quality of material and especially you are buying it from any online store. Monsoon is the best time to relish weekend gateway nearby Mumbai. So depending on the situation you can choose your favorite garment.

Dear i2consulting,

Mumbai is a city where quite a large no. of Expats reside( some for upto even a decade ) while keeping their roots in base countries in Europe etc intact. After being here for some time,they invite friends and relatives who may not be required to stay at a hotel and eat food in restaurants only and try find time to show them around.

They learn about the types of cuisine and restaurants thereof and can graduate to cooking  local staples & occasionally specials with the help of websites.They become comfortable in using public transport & personalised variations thereof. Some of them start believing that they have acquired the art of negotiating and haggling with vendors & sellers.

They are mostly used to do their own thing but with some person managemnt skills and money and quite some patience, they are able to get help at low cost. You can e.g. get a domestic help or a driver in about INR12,000/ month (a ball park figure which depends on  many things including the make of your car) and who doubles as interpreter while he is around or runs errands for you..

I think that instead of " well meaning nice people" offering help to you while in Mumbai,it is best if you use Expat assistance services. They are not necessarily costly.The cost depends on the nature of work to be done(renting house,Arranging carpenter,saving money while purchasing etc,Scheduling meetings). Given the fact that they have been at it for years,they understand the needs from your perspective & your "budgets" .

They can assist you at any point of time by offering on the minimum to interpret at least on the phone/mobile at no cost.

If you look for them you will find them and they will be able to spend the time as & when you will require their help.It is more like going to an available doctor who is M.D. or M.S.(specialists) rather than general practioners of medicine or " well meaning nice people"..

In any case Mumbai is a very good city if you have the "Dineros" and if you can speak neutral toned English.

Best wishes,
Art

Hi John

Thanks for the info. I was given a housing allowance and I on my own for the house hunting. I was told that I will be stationed at Wadala although my company office is at Navi Mumbai. Many advise me to stay at Bandra West but I'm not sure about the commuting from Bandra W to Wadala. An hour or more each way? Any recommendation for a trustworthy agent please?

Thanks in advance

Hi Pandey

Yes read a lot about the monsoon season and told myself never stay on the 1st floor apartment
Yeah will get myself prepare for the rainwear, high boots etc. but I guess the monsoon season should be over now.

Well I believe working environment should be good (I hope), I am working in Singapore now and it is a fast pace, high expectation from your superior, long working hours (you are expected to work late) environment. May be it is a high time for a change 

Thanks!

]Blueangel 71 wrote:

I'm not sure about the commuting from Bandra W to Wadala. An hour or more each way? Any recommendation for a trustworthy agent please?

Though the time depends on the distance for house from Bandra Station and also from Wadala station to the office,you can actually use a "harbour " train(Dont be alarmed.There are just 2 stations viz. Mahim & Kings Circle between Bandra & Wadala)It should take you about 1/2 an hour for one way travel,if you decide to stay in Bandra(W),which is the area liked by expats.

This harbour line connects Mumbai to Navi Mumbai

Alternatively you may look for a place in good areas such as Wadala,Matunga,Dadar etc. and chances are that you may be able to walk it out to the office or a short cabride would suffice.

You can also decide to try out Chembur as a possible place for stay if the housing allowance is modest.

Best wishes,
Art

blueangel, if you are still on the lookout for an apartment please do let me know.