hey,

lucky u…to be in bombay! u are in for quite a ride.

places i can recommend are worli, bandra, dadar, bombay central.

all not to close to town center and not too far away either.

these are just a few that came to my mind. there so many other places u could stay – it just depends on where ur work is and what it is u are interested in.

let me know if u have any more questions…i’ll be glad to help.

tattva

What’s the question? heh.

If you are moving to Bombay, let me inform you:

Brace yourself for a HUGE culture shock.

Arm yourself with a copy of “Maximum City: Bombay lost and found” by Suketu Mehta to get an idea of how foreigners can survive in this city. He’s an NRI who returns to a doifferent Bombay and he’s explained things neatly.

Coming from Shanghai, you are bound to feel a tremendous difference. My suggestion would be reach at least a week early and know the ways around, not just the locomotive part. And get used to standing in columns of exactly one squarefoot of space.

If you think I am kidding: well, all the best.

If you are not moving to bombay, open the windows and smell the warm, fresh air. Live healthy!

Regards,

Shri.

Oh yes I am very used to big crowds!!! This is not a big problem! I DO need to be central to everything especially hospitals…. I am on crutches, but have been successful in the most busy of global cities on them, they tend to open a LITTLE space around me ;-)

Thanks for the advice, the book sounds interseting, Shri.

And Tattva, I will be messaging you soon, thank you!

Hi there,

The answer to your question really depends on your budget and where you’ll work.

“Town” is obviously more expensive than the ‘burbs and some suburbs are vastly more expensive.

From nearly everywhere, though, you can use Bombay’s peerless (and now sadly bombed) rail system. it’s fast, efficient and very easy!

So my friends in Dadar (who pay low rent) can get to the financial district or elsewhere as easily as friends in Khar. I’d recommend using a broker to find an apartment and specifying you need to be close to a station.

Hospitals are not necessarily downtown in the financial district but are “townside” (Bombay being a long string has the suburbs totally on the other side). (Which also reminds me that if you stayed in the slightly less desirable areas of Dadar, Mahim, you’d be very close to the excellent Hinduja hospital) … so no easy answers here.

If you want the name of a broker, I’ll ask around for good recommendations.

Hi

Really depends on ur objective and what ur occupation in mumbai is going to be about. Mumbai has manay hospitals, big and small. Ur never too far away from a mid size hospital in Mumbai.

Unfortunately getting into Mumbai trains is not too easy during peak hours. So if, as u say, ur on crutches, its going to be difficult to get into the ‘general compartments’ during peak hours. You can use the compartments devoted to people with special needs.

The suburbs of Mumbai are well developed. You will find all kinds of shops and schools and hospitals and restaurants what nots in all suburbs. The town probably has more history than the rest of Mumbai, and probably looks more cleaner and beautiful.

Many foreigners who mean to be occupied in Mumbai do live in the suburbs while tourists stay in guest houses in the south mumbai area.

Besides the train you will find the autorickshaws of Mumbai (that ply in the suburbs, do not ply in south mumbai) are very efficient to get you from one place to another. Very suitable for short distances of a few kilometers. They charge 9 rupees a mile and seat 3 passengers. Taxis that ply throughout Mumbai charge 13 rupees a mile and seat 4 passengers. You also have cool cabs—air conditioned taxis. I have never been in one so I donno how much they charge ;)

Mumbai street food is really great. But u are better off taking all your hepatitis vaccines before u get into them. You will find chinese food on the streets which you might find a lot more indian than chinese – very spicy. But there are also authentic chinese restaurants here. The udupi restaurants are in plenty in Mumbai – good for a quick south inian snack of dosa or vada or puris or one good inexpensive lunch. Mumbai has the McD’s the Subways the Pizza huts Dominos and good coffee bars like Barista, Cofe Coffe Day and Mocha.

More laters.

Welcome to the maximum city :)

If u could be more specific about the purpose of ur visit and where u want to go, maybe we ppl can help u wit more tips and tricks!!!

Take care.

I suggest you get a place some where near andheri to villa parle. also ic coloney in borivli is pretty good. rent is about 4-5 thousand ($100 a month)

another tip you should join the http://mumbai.livejournal.com community.