This one has no emotion involved. Pure logic and arithmetic, I swear. And you cannot even blame me over regionalism because these are simple facts, no ‘perspective’ (as many have been accusing me) whatsoever.
Let us state three different facts first for comparison basis.
Rent rate for a 3BHK in arguably the poshest locality of the area
In Lucknow- 14000 rupees/ month
In Gurgaon- 33000 rupees/month
In Pune or Chinchwad- 16000 rupees/month
So by the above statistics it looks like over all expenditure while moving to Gurgaon from Lucknow will change massively but to Pune will remain more or less same. Logical? Yes. Happening? No.
What does the average cost of getting your clothes iron cost in Lucknow? 2.5 rupees a piece. In Gurgaon? 2.5 rupees a piece, Voila! And in our dear Pune? SIX RUPEES A PIECE!!
Picture this scenario, maid walks in. Starts talking how much she will work. Yes not charge but only how much falls under her monthly MPA. Quotes a price. You can only stare at her first but then okay, you move on.
“You cook?” you politely ask.
Yes, she replies. “Fifteen hundred a month for two people one time.” she continues.
You exchange looks with your husband silently telling him he will have to continue eating the bad food cooked by his wife.
“Sabzi, roti, daal chawal?” husband ignores and instead puts up another heartbreaking question.
“No, No. Only sabzi roti. No daal or chawal. For daal extra charge, for chawal extra. And I will only cook dal tadka you put yourself,” she replies.
*stunned silence*
Moving on what is the cost of vegetables here? Please to ask.
One kg of peas is worth one hundred and twenty rupees! Yes. You heard me right. Poor husband went out shopping and came back without buying anything out of sheer shock.
And about autodrivers in Pune, please note a separate post will be dedicated to the Rajnikanths of the city. Craziness has new levels there.
So dear Pune, once again have you gone ahead and created your own exchange rate of currency? Mr. Rajan may need some help to control eh?
with not so much money,
newbie.
Interesting post! I agree – with the rent so similar, you would think the cost of living would be similar across the board! Goodness! Have you found anything that is actually LESS expensive in Pune?
Wow – what an adventure! And, a fun post – thank you for sharing interesting parts of the world differences and similarities 🙂
You know, Richa, Pune is a place I absolutely love and it has given me so much. But, rent has escalated to such a high and that’s why I am less willing to relocate there. Way back in 2005, you could get two BHK flat in Pashan area, semi furnished for 5,000 and amazing. My cook would charge 1,000 to cook, clean the house, iron and wash the vessels. But, guess things has changed on account of the IT boom. Still, it’s a lovely place, the people are good and I would say give it some time, you’ll be well settled..it’s a culture shock. Last time, I visited, it took me a while to get used to the place and be my normal self, traffic has become crazy. Rent is no different from places like Mumbai and Delhi now, it pinches the pocket. There were times when in 100 bucks, veg was managed for four days. The city is on a boom and, guess, things changes.
Cheerz
I am a born and bred punekar……. daily living is high here. The maids and sundry help like electrician plumbers are very high. Not to mention they come with big time attitude. Rs 16000 thts cheap girl where??? In KGP??? I heard they charge 25k plus there. U got a good deal on the house…..
Maids! It’s actually a gods gift if we ever find a good maid!
God ! “ Tadka you put yourself “ ! May be she charges extra for the tadka too 😀
Jokes apart, I know how difficult it is to relocate, because we’ve done that within India when my dad used to get transferred. Thankfully, there was no need for a maid back then, so no maid woes.
Rent, looks cheaper in comparison, but there’s always some catch, nahi ?
And 120 INR for peas…..shocking, but I guess that’s the case everywhere now 🙁
Hope you settle down soon, dear.
Your conversation with the maid sounds like a funny scene from a movie!! Extra charges for every spice she adds in, perhaps?? I lived in Pune for a year and the auto drivers were terrible, especially if you were travelling to or from the IT park.
WHAT THE HELL! How can anyone afford a maid nw 🙁
I pay 3k for two cooked meals, half the time I cook cos the help does not know how to make the chole, rajma or chicken our style. it is pointless having a cook. I now have a maid who just makes the rotis and chops everyything for me and I cook the food.
The joys of living next to a huge metro errr…my city! 🙂
😀 I haven’t heard my folks complaining about Pune. They’ve been there for decades
Please don’t say “Rajnikanth” 😀
But seriously Richa, I feel for you. It is exactly how we felt when we moved from Hyderabad to Bangalore. We died at the cost of living. 🙂 I even changed jobs just so we could afford it.
Come here = big tight hug to you.
(I hit publish too early in the earlier comment and couldn’t edit it)
Lol! it is so good to be back to read…and began with my favorite blog…I am yet to read rest of your posts but I know you are writing some love letters to the city. Like someone told me once, Pune grows on you, you will begin to like it slowly.
Well, never been to Lukhnow however these are common problems in every city which is new for anybody.
Pune is a place to settle down they say. Nice weather I must admit.
Everything is so expensive everywhere! Enjoyed reading the exchange although I have absolutely no idea how your currency compares to mine.
Totally agree.a good read though…
Thanks Rohini 🙂
haha…well I know what you mean..My sister is there and the worst part is the local transport which is not at all good…especially when women have to travel alone…
Reflections on A2Z Challenge-Random Thoughts Naba
Yes and often when you get the local transport they charge exorbitantly!
by blore standards , 16K for a 3BHK is cheap yea esp if u talking of a posh locality… welcome babe welcome 😉
haha Well I am never shifting to Bangalore then 😀
OMG!! The maid woes!!! You know reading this and thinking to self ‘ be prepared, your days are soon going to come!!’
haha well I would say yes girl your doubts are true! 😀
the maid has quite an attitude 😛 I stayed in Blore and used to have the same problem
Interesting post….Transfer woes are common until it gets settled!
All these new changes are outside effects, pune is no longer the pune we all used to love, it is getting crowded, polluted, dirty and overpriced. But despite all that, you will start to love the place, everyone does
gawd! thanks for sharing all this.. i’ll avoid Pune now 🙂