Moving to the City that never Sleeps!

I was asked to write specifically for women but when it comes to Mumbai it is a unisex city, men or women, the city treats you the same!! One of the aspects I so love about Amchi Mumbai. So read on all you men AND women folk!!

This one is especially for all you self proclaimed "singletons"…

1. Choose to be close to your place of work; you definitely don't want to experience Mumbai's worst nightmare as soon as you move – the rush hour!! Mumbai has a lot of interesting things to offer you, believe me commuting is not one of them.
2. Also take into consideration Mumbai's second worst nightmare – the rains – when you choose your location. It pays to do some research with your neighbours, friends and colleagues on the extent of water-logging in the area of your choice unless you want to spend a good part of July-August swimming back and forth from work.
3. Don't go looking for the ubiquitous top servant, dhobiwala, newspaperwala et al. You'd be seen as being too eager in which case there is no negotiation. Instead await patiently for your doorbell to start ringing just hours after you have moved in. Mumbai's enterprising community would know it the minute a vacant residence has been occupied. This way you will have a fair scope to negotiate.
4. It is always safer to continue with the servants and vendors employed by the previous residents of the house you move into. Unless you don't think much of the upkeep in which case I doubt you would have moved in at all.
5. Don't panic if the vendors do not come in for their collection periodically – just get used to one other of Mumbai's charm – trust in customers. You would very rarely notice a vendor hounding you for payment that is just a couple of days overdue. More often than not he is too busy to come by even once in two months.
6. The city offers interesting incentives and discounts for advance payments. If you are more on the road than at home I would suggest grab this option. Gives you and your vendor some much wanted peace of mind.
7. When you negotiate for anything – from your top servant's wages to the vegetables you buy do not fight for the pennies. It is much simpler to have your vendor throw in some freebies. Remember what matters is VALUE not PRICE and the city understands this the best!
8. It might be a good idea to let your neighbours know when you move in. Mumbai's unobtrusive culture will ensure that they don't bother you but you will make some very good friends if you show the initiative.
9. The best way to get to know your neighbors is by throwing a party on the weekend. If you don't believe your moving in is much to celebrate about cook up any excuse you may like. The city's busy life does not give your neighbors a chance to spend time with you save a few smiles and chit chat while waiting for or riding an elevator. The party will ensure they plan for it and take some time out to get to know you and you would discover that you've become the reason for some of your neighbors to get to know each other as well.
10. Tell yourself that you are going to fall in love with the city before you know….('cause you're sure to! The city just grows on you…)

Since the space this site allocates to writer's description is limited (however the site is more generous towards the write up than the writer and this writer has always too much to say about herself let us just say that this article is by Ms Kripa R, a Chennaiite by birth a Mumbaikar by heart and currently immensely loving her break from work and returning to one of her passions…writing!!". She can be contacted at kripa_ram@yahoo.com