Know the History of a Suburb called Ghatkopar!

Ghatkopar is a developing suburb in one of the most densely populated cities in India. This suburb, located in Mumbai, is showing steady growth with no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

In 1920s, Ghatkopar was a small village that slowly came under the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. Hence, one could say that it was not really a part of Mumbai. Back then, Mumbai's boundaries extended from Sion all the way up to Ghatkopar. Like most other small community villages, Ghatkopar had very limited connectivity to the rest of Mumbai. There was just one main road running through the suburb that connected it to Mumbai at the south end and to Thane at the north end. It used to be surrounded by creeks and hills. Ghatkopar derived its distinguished name from the fact that there were many ghats (small hills) surrounding it. Most people giving directions to this suburb would often say “Ghat ke oopar” (above the hills), and hence the name, Ghatkopar.

Most of the inhabitants of Ghatkopar belonged to two main sects. There were the locals, who came from Mumbai and were known as The East Indians. And then there are the richer immigrants like the Parsees, Bhatias, and Gujratis who bought many large plots of land here. In the beginning, population here was sparse and the town was a close-knit community. Many of the streets derived their names from the renowned residents of Ghatkopar. ‘Cama Lane’ was named after Lady Cama, ‘Khot Lane’ was named after people who performed farming activities in Ghatkopar and similarly, ‘Navrojee Lane’ got its name from Navrojee Sheth – a well to do Parsee.

In the early days, many of the streets in Ghatkopar did not have street lights. Instead, most streets were illuminated by petromax lamps. These lamps had to be lit by a man who religiously made rounds every evening. Would you believe that the roads in Ghatkopar were made of metal? What’s more interesting is that they were slightly elevated in the middle, so that rain water could drain more easily than on a flat surface. To maintain these roads and ensure they were kept clean, the municipality would wash them twice a day.

It was by 1916 that Ghatkopar had developed to quite a significant extent, so much so that a municipal council was founded. This administration had taken up the responsibility of being a ‘Collector’ with the "Suburban District". It was only until 1945 that Ghatkopar was finally assimilated as a part of Greater Mumbai.

Coming back to present times, we see a big difference in what the suburb was and what it has  become today. The addition of the Reliance Ghatkopar-Andheri-Versova Metro has significantly reduced the time it takes to commute between Ghatkopar and the other western suburbs. That is one reason why over the past few years the sales of flats inGhatkopar have been on a steady incline.

This increase in sales of flats in Ghatkopar has also attributed to the increase in cost of flats in Mumbai.

Apartment in Goregaon? Here’s why you should consider buying!

If you looking for a new home, it makes sense not to look beyond flats in Goregaon east in the city. With the price of property in Goregaon stabilizing over the past few years, the city’s real estate market has seen a measured revival. The cost of an apartment in Goregaon hasn’t changed much in the past five years and if current market trends are anything to go by; won’t change in the foreseeable future.

Why would you buy property in Goregaon though? What purpose does an apartment in Goregaon serve? The answer is multi-pronged. Property in Goregaon would not be a hard sell though, it is known for providing an incredible, value filled life to anyone who chooses the suburb as their residence. With its lush green gardens, open fields, pristine malls and well developed roads, it is slowly turning into the residential hub of choice for most Mumbaikars.

Goregaon is well connected to the mainland city via the Western Express Highway and the Swami Vivekanand road that runs from north to south. The Goregaon bus depot is one of the largest in the city and has services that run well into the night, providing a cheap, effective commute for millions of Mumbaikars. The suburban train station in Goregaon is used by huge numbers of people to commute to and from mainland Mumbai city.

The malls in the vicinity – Oberoi Mall, Hub Mall, Inorbit and Infiniti – 2 offer an incredible selection of brands to choose from, and allow shoppers to have an almost international shopping experience within the vicinity of their homes. The malls also feature some international heavyweight chains such as Starbucks that have opened stores to cater to the ever expanding urban culture in India.

Another benefit of buying an apartment in Goregaon is the abundance of hypermarkets in the vicinity. With increasing globalization and opening of the Indian markets by subsequent governments hypermarket chains are opening up across the country. The residents of Goregaon have access to the best international foods, produce and products at these huge stores.

For the nature lovers, Goregaon offers the incredibly tranquil views that are only possible at Aarey Milk Colony. With its abundant green fields and hills, Aarey Milk Colony allows residents with a green thumb to pursue their passion and bask in the glory of nature. Nearby, the Goregaon Film City lets movie fanatics experience the best of Bollywood and on rare occasions partake in the film making experience.

Goregaon is also fairly stable in terms of property pricing and with an abundance of schooling and college options to choose from, is easily a very good choice for working professionals and those with slightly larger families. Even if just an investment, the suburb should provide a decent return, especially in the real estate sector.

Why Juhu is a great place for you!

Juhu beach, which is located in the suburb of Juhu, is a prime attraction and also a great landmark in the quick paced metropolitan city of Mumbai. It has always been the first thought that comes to one’s mind when someone refers to beaches in Mumbai. Surrounded by Santacruz and Vile Parle to the east, Versova to the north, the Arabian Sea on the west, and Khar to the south, this suburb is centrally located and hence people flock here from every corner of Mumbai. Some of the closest railway stations to this area are Andheri station, Vile Parle station and Santacruz station on the Harbour and Western Line of Mumbai’s Suburban Railway system.

Juhu is amongst the wealthiest and well-renowned suburbs of Mumbai and is home to Bollywood stars. Some of the biggest names in Bollywood like the Bachchans own two bungalows in Juhu. One will often see fans standing outside these Bachchan Bungalows with gifts, hoping to get a chance to meet their idols.

As mentioned earlier, Juhu Beach is a beach that is well-known amongst every Mumbaikar. Would you believe that it has actually grown so popular amongst the masses that it has become one of the most iconic Indian beaches till date? It has also won the ranks of being one of the most-visited beaches in India. Being located at a mere 18 km from the city’s centre, it attracts crowds across this vivacious city.

Tourists frequent this beach to enjoy its scenic and eye-pleasing sights. A wide range of local street food or ‘chaat’ as the locals call it is sold in abundance at this beach. Everything from burgers & fries to panipuri and dosas; you name it and Juhu serves it! After a long and tedious day, most locals come to the beach to simply de-stress and unwind. Fine dining restaurants line the beach and serve a variety of cuisines.

It isn’t a wonder that flats in Juhu are in such high demand nowadays, thanks to its close proximity to the beach. The location is definitely worth your hard earned money, as the view of the beach is great and you’re just a stone’s throw away from it.

If you’re still looking for more reasons to convince you to settle in Juhu, consider the fact that it is strategically located and hence is well connected to all the other suburbs in Mumbai. One could simply take the Western Express Highway or take a train via Vile Parle station to then have access to the rest of Mumbai.

If you are in the market and looking at current projectsin Mumbai, consider taking a flat in Juhu. Try to get a house that is sea facing, else you may miss out on the tranquil view of the beach.

Residential Properties & Living in Mumbai

Mumbai is one of the cities in India that hasn’t stop blossoming. In fact, new infrastructural projects are constantly being taken up to cater to the needs of the people. Being the finance capital of the country, people from different walks of life come here for a better living. Therefore, Mumbai is constantly changing and trying to fit everyone in.

Taking this into consideration, many residential properties are cropping up everywhere, within the city and extreme suburbs like Mira Road and Bhayandar. Navi Mumbai, a planned township, was also developed in order to decongest the rest of the city. All the amenities like transportation, hospitals, major institutions, malls, and IT offices are located here. As more people are moving to Mumbai, one can definitely say that the city is also expanding.

If you are looking for upcoming projects in Mumbai, the trick is to have a resource that would offer you all the extensive information. It has definitely become easier to look for residential properties in Mumbai with the onset of internet. Apart from that, there are tons of listings, sponsored ads, and classifieds directly from real estate developers.

The upcoming projects in Mumbai are built with various amenities. Amenities usually include services like gyms, club houses, gardens, and playing grounds. Even though Mumbai is a big city, it is very congested and lacks space. So developers are trying to bring all the amenities under one roof for people residing in the complexes. Residents organize festivals and social gatherings throughout the year. Therefore, people of all ages can enjoy the cultural festivals celebrated in Mumbai of the happenings around them within the complexes.

Due to the upcoming infrastructural development in Mumbai like the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road, new Metro lines, etc, it has become easier for the common man to commute to their workplace instead of having to rely on limited transport and travel routes. Mumbai is considered to be one of the most expensive cities in the world. Therefore, with these developments, the cost of travelling within the city has reduced considerably.

Whichever part of the city one decides to live, you can be sure that you will find all the amenities required. Whether its vegetable vendors, supermarkets, restaurants or a movie theatre, you will find it.
One of the best things about living in Mumbai, no matter how vast the city stretches, is that you will always find whatever you require in your vicinity.

Looking for a home? Flats in Andheri are an incredible investment.

When looking for a home, the challenges faced by the urban buyer are numerous, but the rewards are incredibly satisfying. Andheri is home to people from diverse economic backgrounds, and as one of Mumbai’s largest suburbs, caters to an incredibly large and diverse audience.

Andheri is a northern suburb of Mumbai city and is a hub in terms of connectivity to almost all corners of the city. The suburban train station is a hub that sees an incredible footfall on a daily basis. Mumbai’s iconic local railway trains ensure that one is always connected to various parts of the city. With a new metro train to connect the eastern and central suburbs with Andheri travelling across the city has become incredibly convenient.

With Lokhandwala market and various shopping malls in the area and large brands catering to an individual’s every whim and fancy, it makes it incredibly easy for single people as well as families to live in comfort. Green building in the country has also led to the creation of vast open green spaces, where the elderly may congregate and bask in the beauty of their surroundings.

The diversity in terms of food is enormous; every corner plays home to street-food in the evenings, while the influx of migrants from various parts of the country, and the world has ensured that cuisine specific to each region has permeated through to the average Mumbaikar. With an increase in the average disposable income for each Mumbaikar, cafés and restaurants have started popping up all over the city and especially in Andheri. With prices of properties in Mumbai skyrocketing over the lack of available land to construct upon and people preferring to reduce their commute flats in Andheri are now highly sought after.

Infrastructure like schools and proximity to work spaces is an important factor when purchasing a property in Mumbai. Hospitals and medical facilities are easily accessible in Andheri thanks to mega brands like Reliance investing in creating the Kokilaben hospital. IB and ICSE schools are also nearby ensuring that children receive the best education and a balanced comfortable home life.

The major roadways passing through Andheri also ensure direct connectivity to all the other suburbs and the main city. The Western Express Highway extends all the way to Gujarat and divides Andheri in half. Flats in Andheri sell at a premium, but the premium is justified, given the proximity to almost all the amenities and services.

Andheri is a booming suburban hub, with an incredible future ahead. As India progresses and the cost and price of living rise, the need for incredible homes with great amenities will increase. Why not take advantage of affordable pricing now?

Make Andheri Your Home to be

The southern part of Mumbai has always been in hot demand in terms of real estate. Off late though, suburbs have gathered prominence in the real estate sector owing to some fine projects and better connectivity. Given the increasing number of people in the high income bracket, moving into a bigger home or buying one for investment purposes is perfectly understandable.

While all these factors are great, what exactly has resulted in this sudden interest in suburban properties? The first and the foremost factor is the limited number of new projects available in the town side of the city. The projects that are currently available are more or less re-development projects focused at accommodating existing residents. Fresh projects are hard to find.

The second factor is the huge cost of buying property. It is a well documented fact that South Mumbai boasts of some of the highest property rates in the country. And for someone aiming to buy his/her first home, the cost could be little out of his/her budget.

The third and perhaps the most important factor is travel. A majority of offices in the city are based in the suburb of Andheri or nearby places. Travel by train or bus can be hectic and can leave you exhausted at the end of the day.

When one sits down to select a property that best suits ones needs it is necessary to take into consideration all the above factors. But, what are the options that satisfy all the criteria and yet give a taste of the opulent lifestyle? The answer to this question is Andheri. Geographically well placed, the suburb is the newest hub of Mumbai’s real estate sector. There is a lot of unexplored land yet in the suburbs and this helps as the bookings can be done early to reduce the cost burden.

Travel to work in today’s time usually takes a lot out of the person. Andheri, in that regards is blessed with great connectivity to all parts of the city. The local train helps to cover the length and breadth of the city. Similar case is with the buses, due to a wide network of roads. The start of the Metro has added a new dimension to the lifestyle of the people having a property in Andheri. The proximity to the airport gives it an upper hand over other suburbs. The scenic Juhu beach is also an added attraction, something you can boast about when having a flat in Andheri.

All these factors have not gone unnoticed among the realtors and a slew of upcoming projects in Mumbai, particularly Andheri, have been started to tap into this growing market of high earners. It is safe to say that Andheri has become the nerve center of Mumbai’s aspiring crowd and the hottest property destination for you to lay eyes on.

Look East For a Property Feast

The maximum city Mumbai has infinite resources at its disposal or so it seems. Given the population explosion in the last 10 years, land has become one of the most prized possessions. Over the years, the trend has always been to snatch up the elusive and prized properties of South Mumbai, but off late things have taken a turn for the better. ‘Look East’ is the mantra and people are more than willing to give it a try.

So what exactly is this ‘Look East’ mantra? It is a simple, yet effective process of buying top notch properties in the eastern suburbs of Mumbai. Questions such as, isn’t the eastern suburb marred with water problems? What about connectivity to the city? Isn’t the central railway not as effective as its western counterpart?

To a certain degree, all these were pertinent questions. But the last 5 – 10 years have seen a sea change in the landscape of the region. A new development surge has resulted in the eastern suburbs becoming the hot bed of commercial & residential activity.

One look at the facts is enough to prove that the eastern suburbs are more than a viable option for property investment. Firstly, the availability of Metro train has resulted in ease of travel. The Central line has improved its services in the last few years leading to stable travel timings. As for those travelling by road, a plethora of buses plying across the length and breadth of the city give you plenty of options. The proximity to the Eastern Express Highway means the town side is well connected. The western suburbs are also well connected with the Jogeshwari -Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR). The water supply issue has also been taken care of as the Municipal Corporation (BMC) has put in place its plan to supply 24*7 water supply to Mulund, Ghatkopar and Vikhroli in 2012.

Finances often put a dampener on the situation. But given that most of the projects are backed by sound real estate developers, your plan to buy that dream flat in Ghatkopar can be less tedious because of easily available loans. An added advantage of buying apartments in Ghatkopar is the luxurious lifestyle and amenities that can be experienced which are no less than those available in the town side of the city. Having a hilly region in its midst also gives an opportunity for nature lovers to enjoy the wilderness.

With offices also shifting base, it is perhaps the best phase that the eastern suburb has seen over a long period of time and it’s only going to get better. All the above factors have resulted in bringing together an environment of hope and it would be fair to say that eastern suburb can be counted among the crowned jewel of properties in Mumbai. A golden opportunity like this is not to be missed out on. After all, nobody wants to be at the wrong end of the deal.