Moving to Mumbai - Need guidance

[sunnyt_9]

Hello,

I am moving to Mumbai for a year from US. I need your help and guidence.

I will be travelling to Andheri West and Navi Mumbai and also Airports (both domestic and international) frequently.

My daughter is almost 5 years old and I would like my daughter to go to an good american or western schools.

I would prefer to live closer to school.

1) So, what's the best area to live? Is Bandra or Powai a good place?

3) How to find a good agent who can help me in finding the place?

4) Are furnished apts. available in Mumbai?

5) Are serviced apts. available in Mumbai? This is an option if I can't find furnished apt. readily.

6) About car, is it better to buy a car and get a driver on a monthly salary?

Or is it better to get a leased car with a driver?

Any other tips will be appreciated.

Thank you....

[r2i_Jan_2008]

For travel to airports and Andheri, Bandra should be just fine. Anywhere from Andheri, Parle, santa cruz, khar, bandra, juhu are good locations. Really u need to narrow down the school and then decide the house. traffic is crazy you being close to school is a very good criteria.

Some schools that I had thought about for my son -

Podar in santacruz
dhirubai ambani in bandra
vibgyor in Malad/goregoan - this might be a bit far for u

I hear getting admission in Podar is relatively easy. The folks seem to be considerate dealing with people returning from the US. Ambani is a bit difficult to get in...admission might even be done for this year.

I don't know much about rental apts. I have heard there are many rental available, furnished and unfurnished. When are u planning to go to mumbai. I might be able to find out if u need some agents.

Again, we always had a car and a driver on a montly pay check when in india. Since u are only going for one year you have to see is lease works out cheaper. I vaguely remember members discussing the lease option in some posts. I am sure others will chime in.

good luck