How to Choose Between A House, Apartment, Or Homestay in Dehradun

Finding a place to live is at the top of most people’s lists when moving to a new city, but when you make the leap to a new country the process can feel overwhelming. Are there cheap housing options? What are the best neighborhoods? Who can I trust to lead me through the process?

But the most important question when moving to Dehradun may be one that you hadn’t considered: what KIND of housing are you searching for? In this article, we’ll break down your options and the pros and cons of each.

Whole House

Many foreign families gravitate towards renting an entire house (sometimes referred to as a kothi or bungalow) because of the obvious privacy advantages and to give themselves more freedom to create their own private refuge from the day to day craziness of the city. It’s an especially good fit for larger families as it is common to have 4-6 rooms or more giving everyone their own space.

However, renting an entire house can be a comparatively expensive option as it can be quite difficult to find homes with 2 bedrooms or less because of the Indian tradition of several generations living together under one roof.

House Flat

Renting a single or multiple floors within a home can be a great compromise between price and privacy for smaller families, and it’s the choice that my wife and I have made for the past 3 years. Similar to “mother-in-law suites” in the US, flats combine a private living space and entry with shared garden and parking areas. This can be a great way to experience local culture up close, as you may be subject to some of the rules of the house including how and where to park and (especially for singles) sometimes even a curfew!

House flats may not be right for anyone wanting to use the yard and garden extensively, who need a bit of extra space, or who might lose their cool if a bit of paint accidentally finds its way onto their new motorcycle while the homeowner is painting (ask me how I know).

Apartment

Apartments in Dehradun typically range from 1-3 bedrooms and are generally designed with more modern tastes in mind. You’ll often have access to amenities including communal meeting areas, pool and recreation facilities, and even restaurants and shopping options built into the complex.

The biggest drawback for apartment dwellers may be that they miss out on the rich culture that can only be found in the small streets and neighborhoods of India.

Homestay

Homestays are great for anyone looking for a deep dive into Indian culture as you’ll live with an Indian family, sharing living space and meals with them. Some find that the lack of privacy and needing to abide by house rules means that a homestay isn’t right for them long term, but for an insider’s perspective nothing beats it!

Once you’ve settled on which kind of housing interests you, you’re ready to start thinking about neighborhoods and the rest of the rental process!

ABOUT CARLTON
Carlton moved to Dehradun in 2017 where he fell in love with the Himalayan mountains. He especially enjoys riding motorcycles and hiking in the mornings with his dog, Malay.

Carlton is the Director of the top school for foreigners learning Hindi in Dehradun. Students learn from Indian teachers and help support young people beginning their professional careers while getting the best Hindi instruction in the city. To learn more about Heritage Institute of Languages click here.

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