City Watch: Cost Of Living In Dehradun For Students

Nestled in the magnificent Himalayas, Dehradun is a serene and charming city where the urban life blends with the symphony of nature. From lively celebrations that bring people together to serene getaways that uplift the soul, Dehradun crafts a mosaic of experiences that draws people towards itself.

Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to major Indian cities. A number of factors, including the location of the home, the cost of housing, and the price of basic amenities such as food and transportation, can influence the cost of living in Dehradun. Let’s gain firsthand insight from Ashish Panwar, who completed his studies and lived there for more than four years and Deepika Farswan, a young graphic designer for whom Dehradun is her hometown.

Economical And Upmarket Localities

Ashish: I lived in an accommodation provided by my college but I used to go out on weekends and vacations with my friends. I have explored Dehradun a lot during those days. For students looking at affordable accommodation options, there are several options within the city as well as nearby localities. Budget-conscious students can choose from a variety of options available for accommodation amongst the localities such as Nehru Colony, Karanpur, Saharanpur, Parade ground, Nalapani and Prem Nagar.

Deepika: I live with my parents, so it is our own home. Being a native of Dehradun, I have seen variations and changes in the cost of the accommodations. There are several affordable housing alternatives for students such as hostels, PGs and flat sharing or renting. However, the cost of hostels and Paying Guest (PG) can start from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000 depending on the location and facilities they are providing. While most of the students take up accommodations such as flats and sharing apartments which range from Rs 5,500 to Rs 10,000 for 1 BHK and Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 per month for 2 BHK, also it can vary depending on the area and the current market price.

Upmarket localities in Dehradun, such as Vasant Vihar, Rajpur Road, Mussoorie Road, Sahastradhara Road, IT Park and Canal Road are few of the better options for accommodation if you are looking for quality living. Due to its better infrastructure, appealing locations, and availability of premium amenities, tend to have higher rent costs while few of the affordable housing options are still there. The cost of renting an apartment or a house in such areas could range from Rs. 10,000 to Rs 25,000 based on the size, condition, and location.

Food

Ashish: Cafe culture is very prominent in Dehradun as being the educational hub it has also become a leisure destination for college activities especially during weekends or special occasions. You can easily spend Rs 1000 to Rs 4,500 per month at these cafes. A lot of educational institutions offer reasonably priced meals to the students in canteens or mess facilities, which can range from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,500 per month. If they prefer to prepare their meals at home, they might have to spend between Rs 2,500 and Rs 3,500 on groceries each month.

Deepika: The cuisine of Dehradun is deeply influenced by the Garhwali and Kumaoni food traditions. Some famous local dishes featuring Aloo Ke Gutke, Gahat (kulath) ke paranthe, Phaanu, and Bal Mithai, a sweet made from khoya. Other than that, the city also provides a range of North Indian, Tibetan, and other cuisines. Moreover, there are several small restaurants, dhabas and street food options which offer affordable food options.

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Travelling Expenses

Ashish: Usually students also book a taxi for longer distances or special events, and they might use ridesharing services such as Ola or Uber. It may add an additional Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 to monthly expenditure but most of the time we use to travel from scooty if we want to go for a short trip towards mussoorie and other travelling spots. I have seen most of the other students doing the same.

Deepika: People usually prefer a three wheeler vehicle that they call Vikram or Tampo in their local language, which is blue in colour. Other public transport systems include shared auto-rickshaws and buses. Transportation costs might differ according to the distance travelled and the mode of transport. So based on that you can still count monthly expenses for public transport might range from Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 per month on average.

Leisure And Tourist Attractions

Ashish: Dehradun offers an array of leisure and tourist activities actually catering to both tourists and students. People can take part in trekking and cave exploration while relishing the refreshing water in Robber's Cave (Gucchupani), which is around 8 km away from Dehradun, and it is also one of the well-liked sites. Additionally, Sahastradhara, which translates to "Thousandfold Spring," is a beautiful location well-known for its sulphur springs and waterfalls. Besides that, Dehradun serves as a gateway to a variety of hikes and adventure activities in the nearby Himalayan area. People can explore hiking routes such as Chopta, Tungnath, and Nag Tibba.

Deepika: There are other spots for leisure, such as the Forest Research Institute (FRI), George Everest, Cloud End, Kimadi, Mindrolling Monastery, and Malsi Deer Park which is now converted into a Zoo. Vibrant marketplaces comprising Paltan Bazaar and Rajpur Road provide students with a lively environment to explore along with shopping and street food options. Additionally, students also plan short trips to these scenic spots on weekends or vacations considering Dehradun's close vicinity to well-known hill stations such as Mussoorie and Dhanaulti. Moreover, Mussoorie is also famous for Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, which is again one of the attractions for people.

Culture

Ashish: I have seen there are many historic temples in Dehradun, such as Sai Darbar Temple, Mindrolling Monastery, Tapkeshwar Temple, and Surkanda Devi which hold cultural and religious importance for the locals. Dehradun is also known for its traditional handicrafts such as wood carvings and shawls made by hand. Additionally, the city has numerous workshops and exhibitions featuring various works of art.

Deepika: The traditional music and dance of the Garhwali and Kumaoni people are an important part of Dehradun's culture. The dhol, damau, ransingha, and turri are examples of traditional musical instruments that lend appeal to local cultural activities. Other than that, festivals such as Harela and Basant Panchami are also celebrated with proper rituals and ceremonies.

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People

Ashish: Dehradun people are courteous, welcoming, and proud of their own traditions and practices. They can help you to the extent that you cannot even imagine if you found yourself in any kind of trouble. The people of the area take pride in preserving their traditional dance, music, and art forms, which represent a rich cultural legacy.

Deepika: Being the capital you will find it has a multicultural society where locals from Uttarakhand, commonly known as Garhwali and Kumaoni people, along with people from various other states and regions have settled here for work, education, and the ones settled after retirement. The richness and energy of the city are enhanced by this fusion of different cultures.

Top Educational Institutions

Ashish: I have completed graduation from University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun. Dehradun is still the best choice for anybody looking for a top-notch education as there are many reputed boarding schools and institutions that attract students from across the country. Schools such as The Doon School and Welham Girls' School, which nurture students with holistic approach towards education and personal development and they are also recognised as symbols of academic excellence. Additionally, the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) are the best option for youngsters looking for careers in the armed forces.

Deepika: Students who opt for graduation can find several options such as renowned universities such as Graphic Era University, IMS Unison University for business studies and Uttaranchal University can provide a variety of options in engineering, management, law, and rest. I have graduated from Shri Guru Ram Rai (P.G.) College PathriBagh, Dehradun.

One thing I would like to add to that, Dehradun, being a famous spot for travel and education, has also brought many negative aspects with it. There is a growing crowd in the city, which is influencing several other factors such as increasing pollution and the fact that you can encounter litter and garbage even on the roads. In my childhood, I used to enjoy the chilled breezes of wind following inside our windows. But nowadays, such is not the case, and we are facing drastic environmental changes that are gradually destroying nature. I believe people coming to enjoy the beauty of nature should also be responsible enough to preserve our mesmerising city and be more conscious about what can pollute our environment.

Central and State Universities in Dehradun

There are about 12 state universities that provide specialisations across streams, from medical, engineering and technology, ayurveda, horticulture and general graduate degrees such as University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) for Petroleum Engineering, Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) for Defence Trainings, and Uttarakhand Technical University for Engineering.

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