Moving to a new city in India: a practical checklist

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Moving to a new city for work, study or a fresh start means solving several problems at once: where to live, where to work, what to do with your things, and how not to get caught out. This checklist takes them in the order most people meet them. It is general advice, not a promise about any listing or price.

1. Two to four weeks before you move

• Pick two or three areas by commute to work or college, not by rent alone.
• Set a monthly budget for rent, deposit, food and travel. The rent affordability calculator helps with the rent part.
• Browse the city list to see which of your shortlisted areas have listings.

2. Choose where to stay first

For the first weeks, a PG is often the simplest start: quick to move into, usually furnished, with a short notice period. If you want privacy, a family home or a longer stay, a rented flat fits better. Many people start in a PG and move to a flat once they know the city.

3. Set up somewhere to work

Working remotely, freelancing or starting a small business? A coworking desk or cabin avoids a long lease while you find your feet. If you need a shop or an office of your own, look at commercial space.

4. Keep your belongings safe in between

If your furniture arrives before your flat is ready, or you are leaving things behind for now, a storage spacein the new city gives you time to decide without paying for a home you don't need yet.

5. Before you pay anything

• See the place in person, or send someone you trust to see it.
• Check who you are dealing with: the owner, or an agent acting for the owner.
• Get the rent, deposit, notice period and what's included in writing.
• Don't pay a deposit or advance before you have seen the property.
• Photos should match what you see. If they don't, walk away and report the listing.

Read how Bhavano checks listings, including what we don't verify, and use the Contact us page to report a listing that looks wrong.

Common questions

• Should I take a PG or rent a flat when I move to a new city?

  A PG is quicker and cheaper to start, usually furnished with meals and a short notice period, which suits the first few months in a city you don't know. A rented flat gives more privacy and control, and works better once you know which area and commute suit you. Many people start in a PG and move to a flat later.

• How far ahead should I start looking?

  Start two to four weeks before you move. That is long enough to shortlist areas and see places in person, and short enough that listings are still current when you arrive.

• Should I pay a deposit before seeing the property?

  No. See the property in person, check the owner or agent's details, and get the terms in writing before paying a deposit or advance.

• Where can I store belongings between leaving one home and settling into another?

  A storage space in your new city holds furniture and boxes while you wait for a flat or a longer lease. You can look for storage space on Bhavano alongside homes and PG listings.