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Moving to a new city is always exciting, but may also make one feel nervous about living a life there. When you talk about fast paced, metropolitan cities like Mumbai, many people can find it daunting, especially if they’re not used to the lifestyle. Mumbai has its own quirks and is different compared to most other cities, but as you spend time here, most people fall in love with the city. You get so used to it’s lifestyle, it becomes a way of life. Having knowledge about what you can expect before you move to the city will always come in handy, and help you feel prepared. So here are things you must know when you’re moving to Mumbai.
1. Cost of living
Mumbai is an expensive city to live in. The prices of housing are very high, especially in prominent areas. People prefer living in the suburbs because accommodation there is much cheaper. If you’re new to the city, consider sharing rental homes in Mumbai, and opt for options like co-living. This will help you save a good amount of money. Food in Mumbai is also not the cheapest, while street food is comparatively cheaper, and you can get a vada pav for Rs 10, most other things will cost you more than other cities.
2. Traffic
Traffic is a nightmare in Mumbai. You’ll have to get used to spending at least an hour stuck in traffic during peak hours. With numerous people coming to Mumbai daily, the city is over crowded, leading to traffic everywhere. If you need to head out for an important event, keep a good buffer time as most likely you will get caught up in traffic. Avoiding peak hours is the only way to reduce your time spent in traffic. Although there are traffic police at most locations, people still break rules, which results in even more chaos and traffic.
3. Public Transport
Public transport is what keeps the city going. Not everyone here has private vehicles, and even if they do, they ditch it while going to work. The local train is a much faster and cheaper way of travelling from the suburbs to the city, and is used by almost everyone in Mumbai. The BEST bus service may not be the best, but they are the cheapest. AC BEST buses are also heavily subsidized, which makes it more convenient to travel. Rickshaws can be shared too, to cut cost. You can always depend on public transportation in the city.
4. Personal Space
In this over crowded society, the concept of personal space barely exists in public spaces. In public transport during peak hours, consider yourself lucky if you find space to occupy. You’ll have people peeping into your phones and almost pushing you as they try to get past you. Whether it’s street shopping or an exhibition, be rest assured that you will never be alone here.
5. Less interference
Although personal space might be a problem, people do not get into what you’re doing. It’s mostly “live and let live”. Of course you will find people occasionally interfering, but most of the time, people do not have time for anything, as they’re trying to catch up with the city themselves. If you’re someone who’s looking from an escape from the constant interference, Mumbai may be ideal for you!
6. Small Spaces
The cost of real estate in Mumbai is unbelievably high and the city is extremely crowded, which is why small compact spaces are normal here. Be it houses, cafes, colleges, you might be surprised how much they fit into small Spaces. Then again it depends where you’re located in the city. So, when you’re moving to Mumbai, keep in mind that the place you’ll stay, will most likely be smaller as compared to other cities.
7. Climate
Mumbai’s has a humid climate, and summers can get really hot here. Winters are pleasant and temperatures are not too low. Now coming to the monsoons, they’re a nightmare. The city floods due to poor drainage even with slight showers. Potholes make it even worse. Travelling during the monsoons can be difficult, so make sure you have a sturdy umbrella, footwear that covers most of your feet and a change of clothes handy.
8. Language
Although almost everyone in Mumbai will speak English and Hindi, learning basic Marathi will definitely help. Marathi is of great help when talking to government officials. Learn basic Marathi words so that you know what they mean and will be able to respond if anyone speaks to you in Marathi. Words are similar to Hindi, and until you learn, you will still manage well using English and Hindi
9. The City Never Stops
Mumbai is one city that goes on no matter what. There is no time for people to stop due to the fast pace of the city. Be it rail accidents, terrorist attacks or floods, the city goes on. This is one thing that must be kept in mind while moving to Mumbai, no matter what, you go on with your daily routines. If you want to carve your niche in the city you have to keep hustling.
Mumbai is a city that many people want to live in for various reasons. These were a few things to keep in mind before moving to Mumbai. The people are welcoming and helpful and you’ll surely find your place in this city. No matter what it’s cons are, the pros always over shadow it. Hope you have a great stay in Mumbai!
If you’re looking for the best stay in Mumbai, without spending much, here are the 10 best coliving spaces in Mumbai.