How to Survive in Mumbai

Apart from being the financial capital of India, Mumbai is also home to the thriving Indian entertainment industry.These dual aspects make the city bustling with life and people. Every day thousands of people come to Mumbai to look for work. The software boom in Bangalore has taken some load off the city, but Mumbai still continues to be a cosmopolitan hub with lots of job opportunities.

Instructions

1. To survive in a city like Mumbai, you have to get accustomed to living in a small apartment, preferably with folding furniture which takes up minimum space. Mumbai real estate values are at an all time high and shows no sign of slowing down.

2. The local trains are aptly called the lifeline of Mumbai as they are the fastest way to travel in the city. To avoid the highly congested roads, you need to be well acquainted with the train stations, the schedules and the fares. If you plan to take the trains on a daily basis, you could have a monthly pass made to avoid the long queues at the ticket counter during peak hours. The monthly pass works out to be cheaper too.Even if you decide on driving to work regularly, there may be days when you will have to hop on a local train so be aware of the system for your convenience.

3. If you are a newcomer in Mumbai, you will need the services of a "dabba wallah" in order to survive. Rarely will you have the time or inclination to shop for groceries and cook your own meals. If you are working and are new to the city, most of your time will be spend commuting or looking for a place to stay."Dabba wallah" actually means "box-carrier" and he is the guy who will bring you piping hot homemade meals at a reasonable rate. The logistics and quality control of the Mumbai Dabba Wallahs have been the subject of interest for many B-schools, both in and outside India.

4. One essential survival tool in Mumbai is music. You need to have some sort of music on you to make the long waits and longer commutes bearable. Cell phones which play music and i-pods are a way of life in Mumbai.

5. You may want to skip your daily commute to your office if it rains. Mumbai roads are famous for waterlogging and it is better to work from home than be stranded at one end of the city.

Tips & Warnings

• You can survive in Mumbai by speaking Hindi and English. Knowledge of Marathi, the State language is not mandatory.

• Always be alert for unidentified objects in crowded places.

Resources

• Mumbai Help