Accommodation in New Delhi
New Delhi is the second-largest metropolitan city in India after Mumbai. Spread over an area of 1,484 square kilometres, Delhi has a lot of accommodation options to choose from. The city has been attracting people from all across the country, as well as from different parts of the world. Finding accommodation in New Delhi can be straightforward, depending on your budget and where you choose to live.
New Delhi's neighbourhoods
The city includes a wide array of residential neighbourhoods. For expats and other new arrivals, the sprawling city may seem confusing. However, each of these neighbourhoods has its own charm and unique characteristics.
Some of the areas highly preferred by expats include localities in South Delhi and suburbs. In fact, many foreign nationals have settled in these neighbourhoods and have formed strong https://www.expat.communities. The areas popular among the expats include Jor Bagh, Golf Links, Saini farms, South extension, Chanakyapuri, Defense colony and Vasant Vihar(which is home to many diplomatic missions).
There are many other options worth exploring as well, namely Sundar Nagar, New Friends Colony, Nizammuddin and Maharani Bagh. These are also quite popular neighbourhoods and include some of the most affluent localities, with several facilities in the vicinity including markets areas, restaurants, upscale beauty salons, pubs and also university and school.
To the west, you will find neighbourhoods like Dwarka, Janakpuri, Rajouri Garden, Paschim Vihar, Peeragadhi and Punjabi Bagh. These are planned developments with all basic amenities and good connectivity. Further, Greater Kailash, Green Park and Panchsheel Park are also popular expatriate neighbourhoods.
There are few options available in East Delhi, namely Mayur Vihar, Preet Vihar, Nirman Vihar and Yamuna Vihar. These are among the few good, planned, livable areas in trans Yamuna area. Although accommodation is affordable here, the neighbourhoods in east Delhi tend to be quite crowded and polluted.
Types of accommodation in New Delhi
There are varied types of accommodation available in New Delhi. While apartments are the most common in different neighbourhoods, you are less likely to find studios.
Newly constructed apartments and society flats are generally spacious and well-ventilated. Individual houses and villas that are mostly away from the city centre have verandas or small gardens that give you some personal, open space. Both furnished and unfurnished housing units are available in New Delhi.
Before you start house-hunting, take time to enquire about the different types of accommodation that are available in the city. It is also always better to compare rent prices, to determine which one will best suit your needs and your budget. Moreover, make sure that the housing unit is not very far from basic amenities, your place of work and your children's school.
If you are a single person and looking for affordable housing, you can opt for flat-sharing where a 2 or 3-bedroom flat can be shared between a few people. You can also check out the option of Paying Guest(PG) where food is included in the rent cost.
Rent prices in New Delhi
Rent prices in New Delhi, like in most cities, vary from one neighbourhood to another. The price also depends on the type of accommodation you prefer. However, in general, a single-bedroom apartment will cost you an average of INR 15,500 per month in the city centre and an average of INR 8,800 per month in the outskirts. If you choose a flat inside a society, then maintenance costs are added in the monthly rent price.
For a three-bedroom apartment, you will need an average of INR 41,000 per month in the city centre and around INR 20,000 per month in the outskirts.
There are options available for individual houses and villas in different neighbourhoods as well. These will be priced much higher.
Finding accommodation in New Delhi
Finding accommodation in Delhi will not be a difficult task. You can look for various renting options online or in the local newspapers. If you are new to the city, hiring a real estate agent can be beneficial as well. They will help you find an accommodation that best suits your needs in the shortest time possible. However, they charge one month's rent as their fees. Finally, networking and word-of-mouth may help if you have friends and contacts in the city.
Your house search process may take some time. So, you are advised to be very patient with the entire process. You may also need to fulfil certain renting formalities along with a payment of security deposit which generally equals to a few months' rent.
Note that the lease document is generally valid for two years, but it can be extended following negotiation with the owner if you wish to stay longer.
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