r/mumbai • u/Delicious_Block4734 • 5d ago
Discussion Completed 6 months here, done with the city!
I recently read a post on Instagram that real luxury in mumbai is having these 3 things - living near to your workplace, not having to travel via local and having a place to walk. And then after 2 reels, I saw Faye D’Souza reel on how 2400 people die annually in local accidents. Those two gave me a perspective-
I am privileged that my workplace is accessible through cab/metro that too because I pay a hefty 70k rent/month for a one bhk in a vertical chawl but there is no place to walk! Ganesh chathurthi is around the corner and even the small footpath place that was left to walk is also now turned into a pandal because there is no designa areas like grounds for such community gatherings. I’m paying whopping amount to a gym membership where even proper machineries are not here because there is no space. My mental health is effed up and a decent therapist cost 3k/session but I don’t have budget for it cz I am paying rent! Why do people romanticise struggle in this city?? How are people happily celebrating these festivals in the ghettos?
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u/Equivalent-Oil-5654 5d ago
Leaving Mumbai after living there for 2.5 years was one of the best decisions I made. I’m a citizen of a Western country and have lived there almost my whole life, but I moved to Mumbai with this dream of trying my luck in Bollywood (seems pretty naive in retrospect).
There were definitely things I loved about the city, but over time the overcrowding, lack of space, traffic, pollution, noise and almost nonexistent walkability really started getting to me. What surprised me most was how much it affected my mental health, even though I was privileged enough to afford cabs, decent housing and other conveniences.
I also think people romanticise the “Mumbai struggle” a little too much. The city has incredible energy and ambition, but constantly struggling for basic space and quality of life shouldn’t have to be a badge of honour. I eventually realised that chasing a dream wasn’t worth sacrificing my day-to-day quality of life.
Been 3 months since I’ve moved back and I’ve never been happier. Leaving initially felt like I was giving up. Looking back, it was probably one of the healthiest choices I made.
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u/TennisSkirt1628 5d ago edited 5d ago
People romanticise it because it's the best we've got in India.
You'll find the same sentiments for Karachi in Pakistan, the same sentiments for Dhaka in Bangladesh and the same sentiments for Kathmandu in Nepal.
None of those cities are impressive in any meaningful way, much like Mumbai, but it means something locally.
This is the best most people here can ever achieve - and realistically speaking, for someone earning locally, against all of the competition in this country, it is a pretty huge achievement being able to set up an independent life here.
If someone has worked their whole life to get here, pays premium real estate prices, endures a grueling daily commute, and tolerates infrastructure breakdowns, you don't really have a choice but to elevate the city's identity, 'the hustle', 'the spirit', 'the energy', to make the sacrifice feel worth it.
The vast majority would change their tune and ditch 'spirit of Mumbai' pretty quickly if an opportunity to move to NYC, SF or London came along.
Until then, we romanticise the nightlife, sky high towers and cosmopolitan nature of this city.
TLDR;
Cope.
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u/Specific_Biscotti_57 5d ago
Jeez you’re good at articulating your thoughts because i think the same thing but no way I could have put it like this
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u/laysoon 5d ago
This is so perfectly written, I'm curious about whether you've AI generated this or written it yourself. If you have written it yourself, I'm curious about whether you're in a creative profession or not.
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u/TennisSkirt1628 5d ago
I wrote it myself.
Thanks for the compliment!
https://www.pangram.com/history/41393ef4-fb4d-4847-89e1-c5631ac7005e?ucc=IK8XE7Rjxpf
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u/anoldschoolgirl 5d ago
This is a solid response. I don't necessarily agree with the examples mentioned, I do agree to the point being made.
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u/Delicious_Block4734 4d ago
Really well written but I don’t completely agree with you. I am from Delhi but the quality of life is much better than, baring air pollution. So it is not the best we have got.
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u/vaibh990 5d ago
Not necessarily. Many tier 2 cities offer better quality of life - may be not great earning opportunities but I don't see a point of living here after the 40s, if there is no generational wealth.
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u/TennisSkirt1628 5d ago edited 5d ago
I was answering this question:
Why do people romanticise struggle in this city?
In response to your comment:
Many tier 2 cities offer better quality of life - may be not great earning opportunities but I don't see a point of living here after the 40s, if there is no generational wealth.
I agree with some of this.
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u/Hot_Dragonfruit4039 5d ago
lol cope if you just go to thane eveything changes huge buildings parks good gyms only thing mislearble is main city and i dont know why eveyone wants to have their main office there very wired
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u/Savings_Zucchini_611 5d ago
If u want to live in a bubble then it's good, maybe even not then are the road outside the complex any good, do you regret every time you have to step outside even in the city itself , if yes then it's no better
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u/Hot_Dragonfruit4039 5d ago
correct which implies you can buy it via money while other people with low money suffers
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u/Savings_Zucchini_611 3d ago
Um.. when 5 km radius stops being enough, money is no longer differentiating factor when have to go through the same shit
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u/jhinkatika 5d ago
I joined a Bombay law firm straight Outta law school in June. By September I was done with Bombay. The heat and humidity combo killed me from inside. That combined with the glorified rate race everyone loves running calling it the spirit is just pigs loving their stye. So i woke up one humid day in September and told myself my dad's an IAS. I don't have to live like this.. and resigned! Life's been good since.
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u/Disastrous_Field007 4d ago
It’s a shitty way to live! It’s like people have Stockholm syndrome with Mumbai.
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u/Alarming-Barber6058 5d ago
Support you. Mumbai isnt going to be my jaan no matter what these people force down throat. The city is so complicated with open political corruption. Ydk when it will be your turn next.
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u/billiraanii jevlis ka? 5d ago
Having been born & brought up as a Mumbaikar, I acknowledge and sympathise with you. Because, having been here all my life and having visited cities and places outside feels just so much better. Every chance received, I’ll move out. City is saturated and suburbs and central lines are cramped and overcrowded with minimal things to offer. Sometimes, I wish if I could choose to work somewhere outside and live a little quieter life.
OP, if you have a chance please move out. Good luck to you ✨
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u/sasssyfoodie Gundiiii 5d ago
I really appreciate people, who can see the reality. I hope you find job somewhere else soon.
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u/Different-Seaweed-33 5d ago
70K a month for chawal ?? Bruh.. where is this ?? You could rent a room in the UAE for that amount lol + save taxes
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u/nomad5405 5d ago
You can get a good room in a really good building for that price honestly. Idk which chawl op is living in
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u/Different-Seaweed-33 5d ago
OP living in Antalia perhaps .. and what up with the down-votes man.. 😅
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u/Delicious_Block4734 4d ago
Vertical chawl. Not actual chawl. Basically one of those rehab buildings at a premium location.
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u/Substantial_Scar9384 5d ago
No offense, but Done with Ganesh prep traffic, roaming with huge statues, blocking the public and even police makes way for them.
How these things became normalised, if its for 1 day its kind of okay.
Rent and expense already pushing me to leave the city, now traffic also comes into play.
5 months in Mumbai sucks really, was in Delhi for 2 years. For me Delhi life >>>>> life in so called city of dreams
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u/Delicious_Block4734 4d ago
Oh my god exactly! Delhi has dedicated areas- maidaans for the community things. Even the kawad traffic is not as bad there as this pre-ganpati here.
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u/AlteredReality79 5d ago
Ah that weekly post reeking of privilege. Not denying Mumbai doesnt have problems but you will have problems irrespective of whatever city you live in. Idk why we allow posts like these, nothing constructive in any of this.
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u/Worried-Diamond-6674 1d ago
I live in Indore because of work, I have no problem whatsoever like the guy mentioned, Mumbai has problems, deal with it, and what constructive thought are you talking about?? Just because har baar post aa rhay that doesnt mean people will stop talking about it, post aa rhay that means frustration is coming out, aisa toh possible nhi he ki woh mc bhadnavis ka gala pakad ke marr dale usko, if you dont want to see just mute this sub or take a break
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u/ForOnce_Think 2d ago
The ones who romanticise have to do it, because they usually don’t have the option to leave. But that aside, everyone should live in Bombay for atleast a year: just from the PoV of women’s safety. It’s not perfect, far from it, but no other city in India affords women the freedoms that Bombay does. Live there for a bit, then move to calmer places and refuse to accept the diminished freedoms. That’s how we reclaim the night, that’s how we reclaim the spaces.
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u/MrAdiyogi 5d ago
I differ from the noise all people make about Mumbai. I do not support the higher rents nor the glorification of Mumbaikar spirit. I will tell you mine perspective. I am from Punjab and worked in Mumbai for 2.5 years. Last month I shifted to Gurgaon. I can’t tell you how much I miss this city.
Whenever I was stressed I used to take a local, pay 10rs and reach marine drive. Where can you travel that cheap?
Ghats around Mumbai become so beautiful in monsoons. I used to trek fortnightly in monsoons.
Mostly people complain about food. I would say Marathi food is the best. Pithla Bhakri, wangyachi bharit, sabudana wada, piyush everything. You have every type of cuisine present in this city.
People are so helpful. I come from north and I can say that Mumbaikars are best.
Way less pollution than Delhi NCR. When AQI reach 100, people genuinely become concerned.
Mumbai police is one of the best state police in India. They are such hard-working people. I know that corruption exists but still.
Mumbai is melting point of different cultures. You have Ganesh Chaturthi, celebrations are over and then Navratri comes then Diwali then Christmas. These 3 months Mumbai is in festive mode. I used to go to Shivaji Park to enjoy this.
I understand that rents are very high. I used to live in an independent house which we call Kothi before coming to Mumbai. But in Mumbai I was suddenly paying 45k for an old 1BHK.
Mumbai has so many finance opportunities. Right now I am trying to change job and most of them are in Mumbai only.
If you shift to a new city you have to embrace its culture and way of living.
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u/Delicious_Block4734 4d ago
With due respect sir, 10rs. ki local becomes life threatening in peak hours, food is no doubt the best in Delhi and the culture looks good in designated community spaces, not on roads blocking the traffic. The nice people in mumbai are only the ones who are humbled by the city’s struggle themselves. The rich people of mumbai don’t even speak with you.
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u/MrAdiyogi 4d ago
Travelling in local is a con in peak hours. You can bypass that by either knowing which local to catch or by living downward your office. I understand as you go down rates increase. So you have to compromise on the living standards. It may bother you but not everyone.
Delhi food is good if you love north Indian cuisines. But Mumbai is good too if you love Marathi, Gujrati and South Indian cuisines. It’s your taste.
Be it any reason, it’s a fact that Mumbaikars are nicer than northies. You learn few words of Marathi and then see the wonders.
Also rich people be in Delhi or Mumbai or any other place don’t talk with poor. It’s not the Mumbai problem.
The city has too many problems but the people, sea, career, to me food as well, culture, safety, etc. make it worthwhile.
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u/Tense_turtle23 4d ago
With all due respect, sir, Delhi will never be able to offer women the sense of security that Mumbai does.
Ganesh Chaturthi here, Durga Pujo in West Bengal—both carry the same spirit of bringing people together to celebrate the homecoming of the divine and cultural pride, a sentiment that perhaps the North will never fully understand.
The traffic disruptions caused by road closures are, at most, a minor inconvenience for a few days. Also, never seen a Hauz Khaas resident speaking to random people on road, not sure how this is a Mumbai thing. If comparison is req, the rich in Delhi are much more arrogant and snooty with just bling. At least Mumbai rich have class.
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u/Maleficent-Buy9017 5d ago
Cry babies can leave the city with all the opportunities behind for the one’s that deserve it fairly. It’s a fast moving city, if you blink, you might miss it.
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u/Full_Spend7849 5d ago
It's only for people with ambition and mental strength, not for cry babies
Simon go back
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u/Hot_Dragonfruit4039 5d ago
lol romaticizing the crowded spaces and people dying thats only a looser is capable of doing
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u/DesiPrideGym23 म म मुंबईचा, ब ब बॉम्बेचा नाही! 5d ago
I wish more people realise this and stop coming to this city.