Shimla - any thoughts?

BOS2SLV · Post by **BOS2SLV** » Sun Jul 25, 2010 11:18 pm

I am considering a return to Desh, and am thinking (seriously) about starting a new life in Shimla or in the hills. Any thoughts on the destination? Anybody know about the urban amenities situation there? Any contributions appreciated.

lsk · Post by **lsk** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 7:20 am

You have posted a question which can be interpreted in many ways. A more focused question might be better. Some focusing suggestions are:

+ are you relocating to retire??
+ are you relocating to work??
+ Have kids i.e. concerned about education??
+ Have not visited Shimla, but it has been a tourist destination for a long time. So, what kind of urban amenities are you concerned about??

etc etc

mudramantra99 · Post by **mudramantra99** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 7:54 am

Shimla is a big tourist trap with hordes of people decending from delhi and punjab.It has over the years become quite filthy.Unless you are a himachali,you cannot buy any property in himachal pradesh although people from other states do buy property in benami deals with the locals. You may be able to buy an apartment in shimla but the prices are exhorbitant. Very few eateries in shimla and health care facilities are dismal. also,shimla is plagued by very aggressive monkeys who will attack you without any provocation.Locals usually walk around with an umbrella to ward them off and avoid looking at their eyes.Property laws may have changed in HP in recent times. A better and more scenic area would be uttarkhand but in uttarkhand a non resident of the state can only buy 1.5 nallis of land. one nalli is about 2000 sq. feet if i remember correctly.There are also other areas in the country such as sikkim and arunchal pradesh where folks from other parts of india cannot buy property.Talk about discrimination!!!

BOS2SLV · Post by **BOS2SLV** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 4:42 pm

Thanks ISK, mudramantra99.

@ISK, I am not relocating to retire, not for a long time yet :) I am relocating so that I can work for myself and escape from this meaningless rat race that my life has become. So I will still need a sustainance providing source of income, minus the unhealthy side effects. I am thinking about organic agriculture or starting a resort. No kids yet, but will have a few (God willing) in the coming years, so primary (if not secondary) education will still matter. Some urban amenities I am concerned about are reliable water and electricity supply, access to financial institutions, medicine and health care services, availability of car fuel and service stations etc.

@mudramantra99, I was under the impression that unless I am domiciled in Himachal Pradesh (3 to 5 year process) I can not buy agricultural land in HP. I believe the same rule exists in Uttarakhand and other Himalayan states as well. And yes, there are "ways" to get around this rule. I have considered Uttarakhand as a destination, but have not been able to make up my mind. Dehradoon has become a hot and dusty place, I dont think I can bear with the heat and dust any more. In any case, HP has been a state for a long time, I just assumed that infrastructure and amenities in HP would be better. Please correct me if I am wrong.

mudramantra99 · Post by **mudramantra99** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 5:26 pm

only a himachali born in hp can buy agricultural land .period. Same goes for uttarkhand.By order of the supreme court,no more new construction in mussorie.In uttarkhand, a non uttarkhand resident can buy only 1.5 or is it 1.25 nallis.And if you decide to buy in uttarkhand,avoid middlemen and go directly to the villagers.IN all the himalayan areas ,scam artists thrive. Water is a fairly big problem both in uttarkhand and HP..Uttarkhand as of now does not have power shortage problems,unlike HP.And you are right about dehra doon.You may be able to rent a cottage in the Landau cantonement area of mussorie for about 15 k rs per month.Other expenses in the mussorie area would probably run about 20-25k per month for a modest lifestyle for a couple.Look into uttarkashi,mukhteshwer and ranikhet areas of uttarkhand for buying a small plot.Prices have gone up substantially in the past 3 years as delhites make a beeline to these places for a second home.Another area you may consider is Darjeeling,kurseong,kalimpong areas or the Doars area in west bengal which have no restrictions.But there is a severe problem with gorkhaland agitators in the darjeeling area and a potential naxal problem in the doars region. Many tata retirees have purchased plots and built homes in the Jhargram area of doars where infrastructure is just so-so.I.personally love Shillong for its beauty and friendly folks but unfortunately only khalsis can buy property there.