Things to consider while finding accommodation in pune

Hostels:

There are plenty of options but none offering a good standard at a cheap price. Universities have inexpensive private hostels for students where 4 or move students share a room. The rent almost always incorporates three meals at the canteen. Some university hostels offer private rooms and are of a better standard however every hostel has a warden and wardens have strict rules, such as an 8 pm curfew.

There are also Women’s hostels, YMCA and other hostels for working adults.

Shared apartment

Shared apartments are a great option. Pune has a lots to choose from, going from high end at 25 thousand Rs a month to really inexpensive 4 thousand Rs a month. Flat share is common and many students and working adults find this convenient and affordable. However room share is more common among college students. Often these apartments come with rules and guidelines such as

-    No male friends allowed at the apartment

-    Cooking non vegetarian food not permitted

-    Curfews

When looking for a shared house without a broker I recommend using the many flat share Facebook groups and looking for advertisements that specify “no restrictions”

1 BHK (one bedroom, hall, kitchen apartment) and Studio apartments

So far this is my favorite option. A private apartment without many restrictions in a good locality at a decent price can be hard to find but it seems as though with the right broker and some compromises in terms of restrictions this is possible. Prices range from 9 thousand Rs (horrid flats) to 13 thousand Rs a month (not exceptionally beautiful but well maintained and salvageable)  

I found this gem after looking for over a month !

Things to consider before moving in!

Neighbors and landlords: 

They can be interfering and very disturbing.

While flat hunting I met a landlady (an elderly doctor) that insisted that if I chose to rent her apartment she would send a cleaning lady every day to check on the house and mop the floor. This was non-negotiable and the service was included in the rent. She explained that I was a single woman and she needed to keep tabs on my lifestyle because I could presumably get involved in anti-social activities because I was naive and only 22. Therefore I had to have supervision and she would be happy to provide it. 

I obviously said NAMASKAR and NO THANKYOU!

Rickshaw/cab accessible

It’s so much more convenient to live next to a Rickshaw stand, so make sure you ask the broker to keep that in mind.

Western toilet

Many homes in Pune have squat toilets and it’s important you are specific when describing your requirements to the broker or else you shall spend half a day looking and rejecting flats that don’t suit your lifestyle!

Building Security 

I prefer living in a guarded complex with CCTV cameras and a security guard at the entrance.

Good paint job

Because everything else can be fixed !

Brokerage

Usually the brokerage is the same as the first month’s rent

Unfurnished/ semi furnished

Unfurnished apartments unfortunately are not that much cheaper than furnished ones. Use OLX and Quikr to find super cheap furniture.

Students:

 students apparently have a bad reputation in this city. A few brokers I spoke with made it very clear that as a student it would be almost impossible for me to live in a really good locality if I wanted to live without ‘restrictions’. Many housing societies don’t like singles and students to be occupying a flat. A broker even went on to say that I could probably try to convince the members of the society committee that I was honorable and had good morals! (If I had friends or men over I would be setting a bad example for the kids living in the housing society, this common and unapologetic mind-set almost put me off moving to Pune)

Water and electricity

power cuts shouldn’t be a common thing in a good society but water cuts are very common as the city doesn’t have enough water supply and therefore provides water once a day for a few hours. Buy some water storage equipment or a big cylinder as locals do. 

Good luck! Happy to help with any questions on divinitymalshe@yahoo.in

Why I chose pune?

 After living in megacities around the world such as shanghai, London, Wuhan and Mumbai, In 2016 I moved to a small town in china and loved the ambience and the easy going life that small towns usually offer. However my next destination had to somewhere that urban life was easily accessible but not draining.

 I also wanted to move closer to Mumbai to be able to see my family often. Pune has a reputation of being a safe city with a rich cultural history. I believe it is a perfect gateway to explore some beautiful yet underrated destinations in India.

 Accommodation was so much cheaper than I was used to and having an opportunity to go back to university was just what I needed. The oxford of the east was alluring, overflowing with opportunity and I was intrigued.