If you are a student and looking forward to rent a hostel in Bandra, Mumbai then it’s going to be a roller coaster for you if you don’t have the ultimate tool or platform to work around. As the days pass by, the soaring demand for PG hostels in this region is falling heavy on the shoulders of the property owners. This is because students prefer a PG hostel rather than on-campus hostels due to the high perks of the former as compared to the latter. A student opting for a PG hostel in Bandra needs not worry about the strict in and out timelines and he or she gets all the modern amenities that keep their hectic chores at bay. This is not the same in the case of on-campus hostels.
Bandra, known as the ‘queen of suburbs’ by the Mumbaikars happens to be one of the most expensive and premium residential localities in Mumbai. With respect to wealth, Bandra East was normally looked down upon, as the residents were mostly lower or middle class, whereas Bandra West had houses of the rich. However, the scenario is shifting, and Bandra East is catching up. The principal reason is the availability of space for new residential project development. This has been a breather for aspiring students planning to pursue their careers at the most eminent institutions like IIT Bombay, S.P. Jain [SPJIMR], and many more.
As a part of this guide, the landscape, transportation, and infrastructure between East and West Bandra will be the foremost topics to be touched upon. This will help you narrow down your search for a hostel in Bandra according to your preference.
- Key highlights of Bandra West and Bandra East: –
- The recently built Bandra Metro Station offers smooth connectivity to other parts of Mumbai.
- Boasts noteworthy IT parks such as Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and the International Infotech Park.
- Growth in high-rise residential developments that address the growing demand for housing in the region. They offer the residents with comfortable and upscale living experiences.
- Physical Infrastructure of Bandra West and Bandra East: –
- Bandra East has been holding the Bandra’s traditional older elements. It depicts the proper cultural heritage of the city. The locality has well-developed roads, sidewalks, and streetlights. The housing complexes in this region are older, and there needs to be more greeneries. However, prominent localities like Santacruz and Mahim are the soul of this region.
- Bandra West is a modern and more developed region. The architecture and planning are properly executed. There are wide roads, a good public transportation node, and ample green spaces. Some of the renowned localities in this area include Ranwar, Old Kantwadi, and Santosh Nagar.
- Commute systems of Bandra East and Bandra West: –
- Bandra East links to the rest of Mumbai through the Western Railways Network. The region has access to local trains and has several bus stops, making it effortless to commute to the other parts of the city. But the traffic sometimes gets congested.
- On the other end, Bandra West has flawless connectivity through the Western Express Highway and Bandra Railway Station. A plethora of flyovers and underpasses also minimize traffic congestion during peak hours. From this region, the Mumbai International Airport is only 8 km away.
- Proximity to renowned Institutes and Colleges- Whether East or West, here is a list of renowned colleges that are in proximity of around 5 to 10 km: –
- IIT Bombay
- SP Jain [SPJIMR]
- JBIMS Mumbai
- IIM Mumbai
- [TISS] Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai
- Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management, IIT Bombay- [SJMSOM]
- NMIMS University
- K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai
- Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research
- Amity University, Mumbai
Now that you have an idea about all the features and infrastructure of both East and West Bandra, let us go through the checklist that you should refer to before finalizing your dream hostel in Bandra. The rent budget will be your foremost criterion and accordingly, a sorted list of hostels should be chalked by you. Hence, the below pointers will mainly focus on the factors after you have shortlisted and scheduled your visit-
- Basic conveniences and facilities- When you have scheduled a visit to your targeted PG hostel in Bandra, check whether it is properly illuminated or not. Do the hostel rooms have proper ventilation and aesthetics to make you feel at home? Other factors like- wall paint conditions, quality of construction, and maintenance of shared spaces should be clarified from your end.
- Furnishings installed or not- You might know that the rent prices define whether you will be getting a fully furnished, semi-furnished, or none at all. But if you have opted for a fully furnished or semi-furnished one, make sure that they are all intact and not damaged. Starting from the beds, chairs, and tables to sofas, bean bags, or whatever, make a note about their condition and take pictures.
- Hostel mates and neighbors- Another crucial factor in your checklist should be to have an eye on the probable flatmates who would be staying adjacent to you. If possible, have a chat with them and try to identify if there are any red flags or if they are like-minded according to you.
- Sanitation and Hygiene- Make sure that you will be getting all the basic facilities to live a healthy lifestyle at your hostel in Bandra, like a water purifier, regular housekeeping for dust and pest control, etc.
- Proper Meal facility- Check with the property owner whether they are offering a timely meal facility. If yes, then what is the menu, and how healthy is it?
- Safety and Security- Whether the PG hostel that you have shortlisted is practicing proper safety measures against- theft, fire, etc. Do they have enough security personnel 24/7? Are there ample CCTVs installed at all corridors and corners?
- Lastly, the Guest Policy & Contract- You might want to have a thorough look at the guest policy before signing that document. Look for any hard-bound rules that indicate less flexibility in the contract timeline. Also, what about the policy if your family and friends want to join you for a day or two?