Any student after passing Class 12, races to secure an admission at a top university of their choice. Delhi features as a top choice as it offers the most preferred and the best universities and institutes. The city is the home to Delhi University (DU), IIT-Delhi, National School of Drama (NSD), National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), AIIMS, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, etc.
So if you or someone you know is planning to move to Delhi for higher education, the experiences of four students as captured in this article are sure to help. .
Rent is based on whether you live in a PG or at a hostel.
Nidhi Singh: I study at Kirori Mal College which is in DU’s North Campus. My accommodation is a PG which is a walking distance from my college. The monthly rent for this area’s PG facilities is Rs 7,500.
Korou Angam: As a student of DU’s South Campus, I currently live with three friends in a 2 BHK flat in Govindpuri area. Our living costs come up to Rs 12,500 per month as rent for the flat plus Rs 1500 for electricity and water bill.
Kim Benrilo: I opted to live in a college hostel near Gulmohar Park in a twin sharing room for which the rent is Rs 4,000 per month and it is inclusive of food services.
Anurag Sajjan: Here the cost of rent depends on locality and how big the apartment is. I live with five friends in a 3BHK apartment located in Sudhir Bose Marg. My apartment is a 20 minutes walk from the campus and pays a monthly rent of Rs 15,000.
Also Read: Scholarship Handbook: Eligibility, How To Apply, Official Websites Of Maharashtra, Delhi
Nidhi Singh: I get decent quality food three times a day in my PG so, I hardly eat outside. On weekends, I spend around Rs 1,500 per month on snacks and food.
Korou Angam: Initially it was difficult to adjust to North-Indian food habits but gradually, I got used to it. On weekends, my flatmates and I visit these restaurants that serve North-East food and enjoy our favourite meal. I spend around Rs 4,000 per month on food which includes both my regular food as well as my expenses on food on weekends.
Kim Benrilo: The hostel offers food facilities but I prefer the outside food. Over time, I found restaurants that serve delicious North-Eastern food like Masor Tenga, Kangshoi etc. Each week, I spend roughly about Rs 500 to Rs 700 on food.”
Anurag Sajjan: Since we stay in an apartment, we have kitchen duties delegated to each one of us. Delhi is an expensive city and so, we rarely eat food from outside. Every month, we spend Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 on groceries. If for some reason we have to depend on the college canteen it would cost around Rs 200-300 per day for one person.
Nidhi Singh: Not a single penny if I have to go to college as I live at a walking distance. But I love to hangout with my friends and for that I travel a lot via Delhi Metro and cabs which costs around Rs, 1,500 per month.
Korou Angam: I use shared auto for going and coming from my college. Apart from this my weekend hangout travel expenses is roughly around Rs 1,000.”
Kim Benrilo: Traveling in Delhi is amazing, it feels like I'm living in my own state (Assam). There are free commute services provided in Delhi to the women. So, I spend very little money for travel purposes, that is to reach the metro or to catch a rickshaw. It costs me Rs 100 to Rs 300.
Anurag Sajjan: My college is 20 minutes away from my apartment so, most of the time, I walk or sometimes I book a Rapido bike taxi service to reach the college
Nidhi Singh: I go out with my friends often. Sometimes to shop or to explore the city, sometimes to watch movies. I guess I spend around Rs 2,000 on weekends excluding my expenses on food and travelling.
Korou Angam: I spend around Rs. 1,500 on weekend hangouts.
Kim Benrilo: For each week, I would spend approximately Rs 700 to Rs 1,000 including food and drinks
Anurag Sajjan: On weekends, we go for movies and visit my friends home to spend time together. I also try to visit a new cafe each weekend. I spend Rs 300 to Rs 500.
Nidhi says, “Apart from all the other expenses that I had told you, I spend around Rs. 2,000 on things like cosmetics, mobile recharge, medicines, chocolates etc.”
Korou’s miscellaneous expenses are not much. He says, “Every month, I spend around Rs 1,500 on miscellaneous expenses like wi-fi recharge, mobile top up, ice-creams, maggies, drinks etc.”
Kim says “My monthly expenses on mandatory amenities would fall under Rs 3,000 which includes the expenditures on cosmetics, materials regarding my course, medicine, clothes etc”.
Anurag, a student of Hindu College, says, “I go for resorts, concerts, car races, long drives with friends, and buy clothes for myself”. Overall, it costs Rs 5,000 to 7,000 per month”.
Nidhi Singh: Delhi has a lot of shopping markets with products at very reasonable prices. However, do not make it a habit to visit these places often. Palika Bazar, Karol Bagh Market, Sarojini Market, Kamla Nagar Market are popular hangouts but young students can get addicted to shopping so beware.
Korou Angam: Delhi lifestyle and nightlife is very enticing. You can enjoy going to the clubs and pubs at Connaught Place, Rajouri Garden, Saket, Hauz Khas, Vasant Kunj etc. But remember to keep yourself safe and your expenses in check.
Kim Benrilo: You will find a lot of things here that may attract and engage you keeping your studies aside. So, you should be very careful and always keep ‘studying’ your priority.
Anurag Sajjan: After coming to Delhi, most students get addicted to smoking and drinking alcohol so, one must refrain from these and be with good friends and in a good company so that you have a support system to fall back on.
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