Roti Kapda Aur Makaan: Things You Should Know Before Moving to Mumbai

chillibreeze writer — Neha Malude

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I moved to Mumbai in 2006 September when I got a job at ICICI Bank through campus placements, despite displaying only an average academic performance (or maybe it was BECAUSE I displayed only an average academic performance!). When I first learnt that I would have to move to Mumbai, I said to myself "Yeah, well, another year, yet another city", this because I have been on the run ever since I can remember since my father was in the Army and we never stayed at a place for more than two years. But nothing could have prepared me for the actual experience; it's as if one is standing right at the centre of a tornado.

The first thing that will strike you is the humidity. And well, that's the first thing you ought to know about Mumbai, and get used to it, because it's humid all the time, yep, ALL the time. Initially it will feel like someone locked you in a sauna, but once you are accustomed to it, you can enjoy being smug when you see someone new to the city, squirming due to the heat and pretend like it never bothered you. Now, when you do step out of the plane or the train, you are going to be attacked by auto rickshaw and taxi drivers to take you wherever it is that you want. Of course, no one ever informs you that they demand fares that are suitable only to them. You can haggle with them, but that's only when you have been in the city long enough to know what it'll cost to get to a place.

Finally! You are in Mumbai!

Lesson number two. Amchi Mumbai is a different city to every person depending upon their financial status. No, it's not that you will be looked down upon by someone if your lifestyle is modest. What I mean is this: To the rich, the city has all the fun to offer – discotheques, movies at Metro and PVR, dinners at expensive but great restaurants, and of course, most importantly a swanky mode of transport. The rich stay at posh bungalows and villas at Bandra, Worli, Colaba etc. Now do understand that I am not implying that only the rich get to have fun, but let's face it, I didn't exactly spend every other weekend at a discotheque, and well, I saw most of the movies at the more affordable theatres, such as Suburbia, G7 (which by the way has a great box theatre!) The point you should know is, if you are earning really well, you can afford a place like Bandra (on rent of course!), if you have a modest lifestyle, you may have to rough it out a bit, you could probably get a decent place in Dadar, Mahim, Matunga, Borivli, Gurgaon etc. But before you select a place, please please please make sure it’s as close as possible to work! Very, very important!

That's because you'd be spending a lot of your time travelling, because, as you probably have noticed on the map (dig out that map if you haven't already because you are going to need it!) Mumbai is geographically linear, unlike any other major city in India. So there's just one direction to travel in, no shortcuts!

Lesson number three: If you are planning to be economical, local trains are your best bet. Only economically so. Physically and mentally, I would suggest joining a military school at least a month before you step onto that train. It would make you tough, both by body and mind. I do not exaggerate when I say that travelling by a local is like going for battle. The ones who can fight and put up with it, will win, and the others, well, you will just have to get used to it! Sometimes, you wouldn't even have to TRY to get into or off a train; all you need to do is let yourself be led by the enormous sea of people around you. Trust me; it's much easier that way.

Lesson number four: This is especially for the ladies. If you are brand conscious, you may want to stick to places such as Inorbit, Shoppers Stop, Phoenix etc. for shopping. However, if you aren't, you should check out Bandra; cheap clothes, bargaining allowed, lots of variety; basically every woman's dream come true.

We have covered two out of three basics, namely, "Makaan" and "Kapda", let's talk food (which happens to be my favorite topic, by the way) Mumbai's biggest advantage regarding food is that it has people who hail from all religions, so even if you are a Punjabi who gorges on Idli Dosa, help yourselves at Matunga, the place has the most authentic South Indian food in the whole of Mumbai. Or if you are a hardcore non vegetarian, go to Kareem's (Colaba) (the place is open almost all night!), if you love seafood, Casa Soul Fry (Bandra) is your destination, and if you crave for Punjabi cuisine, check out Papa Pancho at Bandra (Their lassi is god's gift to mankind). If you are the kind of a person who likes to experience great ambience, then Out Of The Blue (Bandra) is one of the best. And lastly, to qualify as a true Mumbaikar, you HAVE to sample Pav bhaji at Juhu beach. In a nutshell, the city has something to offer everyone.

That covers the "Roti" part of it.

Mumbai doesn't have a lot to offer to a sightseer, although there are many places of historical importance in the city, such as Gateway of India, or the Jehangir Art Gallery. But what Mumbai DOES have, are a lot of places you can hang out with friends & family. Marine Drive, Worli Seaface, Carter Road, Bandstand (especially since it boasts of Shahrukh Khan's "Mannat") Not that I have ever SEEN Sharukh Khan, but you never know, right? You can even travel to Lonavla (just an hour or so drive), Pune (around 3 hours), Nashik (six hours), Alibagh (2-3 hours) in case you want a weekend away from the city.

So there you go, that's Mumbai, the city of indomitable spirit and never ending energy, and of course, a lot of fun. There's always something to do, and always somewhere to go! I loved the two years I spent in Mumbai, and hope that you do too!

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—About our writer:

Neha says, "I am from Hyderabad and I love to read, write and dance. I love adventure sports, meeting new people and hanging out with friends."

Roti Kapda Aur Makaan: Things You Should Know Before Moving to Mumbai

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