6 Tips to Know If You’re Moving to Pune, India

Settling in a new place is always different, and comes with a lot of unique experiences. Pune has its own charm and culture, idiosyncrasies and ways of life. Whether you move to Pune as a student or a professional, these are some of the things you need to know about the city beforehand.

When you move to Pune, one of the first things you notice is the weather, which is so much better than all other places you’ve been to. Yes, it does get hot in summer, but it’s still much more tolerable than what you’d find in Mumbai. The humidity isn’t bad, it rains often, and the greenery keeps the city cool all the time. Plus, you could always escape to the neighboring hill stations to enjoy some natural beauty.

If you are moving to Pune with school-going children, finding a good educational institution will be no problem at all. There are several well-known and reputed pre-schools and international schools all over Pune, with excellent facilities and trained teachers. Much like most parts of India, school sessions start in June. Some of the best-known schools in Pune are: The Bishop’s School, St Helena’s School, Loyola High School, Symbiosis International School, and the Mercedes-Benz International School. There are premier colleges too, including Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ferguson College, Symbiosis College, BMCC, MIT among many others.

Even though public transport is available all over the city, it requires dealing with the auto rickshaw drivers and the bus conductors (who never have change). So much so that most people in Pune prefer to have a two-wheeler of their own. A bicycle will help you get around within the locality, but getting a bike or a scooter will take you long distances. Having a license is great and getting one in Pune isn’t too difficult if you know where to look.

Pune is a melting pot of different cultures. Therefore, you get all kinds of food here, from Misal-Pav to beef burger. There’s so much to eat that you need more than 24 hours every day to get a fill of everything. Aside from the Vada-Pav, the chaat, the biryani and the Mastani, you have the famous Shrewsbury from Kayani’s and the Bakarwadi from Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale.

The people in Pune can be arrogant and indifferent sometimes, but being polite goes a long way, as does smiling and addressing people as mama or mausi. From storekeepers to traffic sergeants, calling someone mama or mausi is probably the best life hack you will need in Pune. It will also instantly give you local status.

Although Hindi and English are widely spoken in Pune, there are many people who still understand Marathi better. Arming yourself with a few lines of Marathi will be extremely beneficial, especially when communicating with the shopkeeper, bus drivers, or the traffic police.

Pune is a warm, hospitable place to live in. However, as is the case moving to any new place, Pune is also going to throw up surprises during your stay. Preparing yourself with these tips will make sure your initial days in the city are smooth and pleasant.