Cost of Living in Lucknow for Students

City Watch: Cost Of Living In Lucknow

Edited By Rahul Shrivastava | Updated on Jun 28, 2023 03:30 PM IST

Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, is a city steeped in history and culture. Known as the "City of Nawabs," Lucknow showcases a unique blend of traditional elegance and modernity. Famous for its warm hospitality, the city is also renowned for its architectural excellence, cultural heritage and culinary delights.

City Watch: Cost Of Living In Lucknow

Lucknow is also an education hub, with prestigious institutes and universities offering quality education in various fields. Students from across the country come here to pursue their higher education in multiple disciplines. For students coming from outside of Lucknow, queries regarding accommodation, food, culture, people, transportation etc in the city often linger without answers. To shed light on the actual cost of living in Lucknow, we have Avinash Rai, a second-year undergraduate student at Chandra Bhanu Gupta Krishi Mahavidyalaya in Lucknow.

In this article, Avinash shares his firsthand experiences and insights as a student living in this culturally vibrant city. He provides valuable information on various aspects such as rental expenses, food costs, transportation options, popular tourist attractions, shopping destinations, local cuisine, and the city's overall cultural vibrancy.

Economical And Upmarket Localities

Some of the low cost areas of Lucknow are Alambagh, Jankipuram, Rajajipuram and Aminabad. The average rent of 1BHK and 2BHK in these areas are in the range of Rs 7,500 - Rs 8,500 and Rs 9,000 - Rs 12,000 respectively. Additional charges for water, electricity, and maintenance apply. On the contrary, the upmarket localities of Lucknow, are Indira Nagar, Gomti Nagar Extension, Hazratganj, Mahanagar, Aliganj and Amar Shaheed Park etc. The rent at these places start from Rs 16,000 per month. It must be noted that maintenance and other charges are additional.

Apart from these, few famous areas for students are Nirala Nagar and Kapoorthala. These localities are famous for PGs, hostels and affordable accommodation for students. Average monthly rent at these places range from Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000.

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Expenditure On Food

Students residing in PGs or hostels usually avail themselves of food services provided within the premises. On the other hand, those who live by themselves or with other students in shared flats either cook their food on their own or hire a maid for cooking food and doing other household chores.

A student’s average expenditure on food ranges between Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000. A majority of students take tiffin or mess service. The monthly expense for two meals per day ranges from 3,000 to Rs 4,000 per month.

Travelling Expenses

Lucknow has a well-connected public transportation system, including Lucknow metro, buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws. Public bus fares typically range from Rs 5 to Rs 80 (both ordinary and AC buses included). Monthly passes are also available for regular commuters. Auto-rickshaws and taxis are slightly more expensive and can cost around Rs 50 to Rs 200 for short distances.

Other expenses

In addition to rent, transport and food, my expenses encompass electricity, water, and internet etc. On an average, my monthly expenses on these amount to somewhere in the range of Rs 1,200 - Rs 1,500.

A small portion of my budget goes for miscellaneous expenses like weekend outings, entertainment, participating in sports, shopping, and medicines. These expenses generally amount to around Rs 2,000 - Rs 2,500 per month.

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Leisure And Tourist Attractions

Lucknow offers a plethora of leisure and tourist attractions that captivate visitors. Some notable attractions to explore are - Bara Imambara, Chota Imambara, Rumi Darwaza, Lucknow Zoo, British Residency, Ambedkar Memorial Park, Janeshwar Mishra Park, Husainabad Clock Tower, State Museum, Gomti Riverfront Park, Jama Masjid and Constantia House.

Lucknow is widely acclaimed for its exotic jewellery, accessories, ittar (the local perfumes), toys, lampshades, dry fruits, fresh fruits, bags, apparels, fabric, traditional Nagra footwear, Chikankari suits, and handicrafts. Hazratganj, Chowk, Nakhas, Janpath, Alambagh and Aminabad market are paradise for shopaholics. They offer a vibrant shopping experience with a wide range of shops, boutiques, restaurants, and street food stalls.

Food

Lucknow offers a wide range of delectable dishes that showcase the culinary heritage and richness of the region. Some of the famous cuisines of this city are awadh biryani, tunday kebab, galouti kebab, sheermal, Lucknowi korma, kebab paratha, malai makhan, kulcha nihari, chicken shawarma, shahi tukda etc.

Coming to the street foods of Lucknow, the city offers a wide array of flavours and delicacies. Some popular street foods of Lucknow include basket chaat, pani puri, kulfi falooda, aloo tikki, rabdi jalebi kebab, dahi tikki, malai paan and many more.

Culture

Lucknow is known for its rich cultural heritage. The city embodies a harmonious blend of traditional and modern influences. Lucknow is renowned for its courtly manners, and etiquette and that’s why it is also known as ‘the city of tameez (manner) and tahzeeb (etiquette)’ meaning the city where citizens are well mannered and cultured. The city is celebrated for its classical music, dance forms like Kathak, and Urdu poetry, which have thrived for centuries.

Lucknow is also known for its architectural marvels that include the grand palaces, intricate mosques, and beautifully adorned gardens built during the periods of Mughals and nawabs. The culture of Lucknow is deeply rooted in its history and traditions, creating an enchanting atmosphere that captivates visitors and residents alike.

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People

The people of Lucknow are very amiable and helpful. They are renowned for their warm hospitality and graceful demeanour. They embody the essence of "pehle aap" (you first), a courteous and respectful approach towards others. They are known for their courteous and polite nature, making interactions with them a delightful experience. So far, my experience in this regard has been very good and I enjoy hanging around with my Lucknowites friends all across the city.