Settling down @ new place

This blog is for those who are planning to set themselves at a new location and either ready to travel or have already moved to their destination. The details below are in context to my experience and relocation to Bangalore as well as Pune city. The list of items below is also intended for those who are travelling abroad.
Blog Created date : Nov 2015 (BGLR)
Updated: Feb 2020 (Pune)

The following is the list of things/stuff/luggage/needs whatever you tell that will be required in order to start your new life.

Utensils (microwave compatible wherever possible)
Dishes/Thaalis	Garni, handler (saansi), vaatki
Steel and Melamine Plates	Aadni, Belan, knife, cutter,
Tea/Coffee cups, Spoons, Forks	Vegetable skin remover (cholaniyu)
Cooker	Chamcha, taavetha, bhaatiya, zaara, chaayni, dishes with holes
Vessels for cooking vegetables, daal, rice,tea/coffee/oats (tapeli/chaaliya)	Small bottles, containers for tea/coffee, salt/sugar,masala,daal,flour,rice
Plastic/Steel/Melamine bowls/water bottles and glasses	Plastic bags with zip (zip pouch)
Basket to keep washed utensils
Plastic baskets/boxes/Plastic ware to keep eatables
Kadaai (nonstick)

Electronics & Others
Laptops, Laptop Charger, Mouse	Luggage bags, Hand bag	ID Proof documents like PAN Card, Aadhar,Election card
Bluetooth device	Credit Cards/Debit Cards/ID Cards	Passport/Documents
Internet dongal/Wifi Dongal/USB Cables	Hooks for putting clothes on
Mobile phone, Chargers, handsfree	Light bulbs/spiral bulbs
Batteries, Torch
Iron, external hard disk
Wrist watch, clock, electrical outlet/convertor pin,
Pen drive, card reader, CD/DVDs

Medicines
Family doctor’s prescription	Medicines for Flu (paracetamol/metacin), headache-anacin, cough/cold, bronchitis, throat infection, body pain, vertigo, vomiting, loose motion, malaria, typhoid.
Dio-1 (cold), Crocin, Aspirin, Brufen, Combiflame,	Sunscream, borollin, soframycin, Dettol, sanitizer,
Cyclopain for loose-motion, pudin hara, Eno,
Gelucil, bcomplex-multi-vitamins, iodex,moov tube/spray, relispray, Benadryl cough syrup, vicks tablets,inhaler, bandaid, cotton dressing cloth, crep bandage/sprains, Roll-on,	Sudarshan tablet, Isabgul, pilex, pilorute tube, cremaffin, kayam churan, harde, kushal kanthil, inhale (nas tablet), Avil tablet for allergy, medicines for B.P, cholesterol
Also take prescription of your spectacles from your spectacle maker	Good night/mortein mats and its machine (for preventing mosquitos)

Child List
Trousers, Shirts, T-Shirts, Shorts, Undergarments	Water bottles,Milk bottles (with extra nipple set)
Warm clothes, Raincoat, Sweater/Jacket,	Tooth brush, toothpaste,toungue cleaner,
Socks, Shoes, Slipper,Monkey Cap, Caps,Blanket	Liquid cleanser to wash bottles, brush to clean bottles, Dettol/Savlon, Cotton,
Hand gloves,Thermowear	Dexolac 1-2 (milk powder), talc powder,Nail cutter
Diapers, Wipes, Ordinary Plastic bags,Body lotion	Doctor’s file and his prescriptions/medicines/syrup
Soap, Baby bath,Shampoo,Oil, Massage oil,	Quick dry cloth
Klinoderm dpr Cream,Plastic water glasses,	Doctor’s vaccination certificates
Toy Cars, Games, Puzzle games,	Rough books, Pen/Pencils, Color
Plastic/Rubber ball, soft toys	Puzzle/Learning Books

Others
Bedsheets (double/single), pillow covers	Ordinary/throwaway cloth, tissue paper
Blanket, doormats, needle/threads, towels	Nail cutter, screw driver, cap,water bottles,
Sunglasses, Handkerchiefs, Umbrellas, Matchbox	Brush/tooth paste/tongue cleaner, mirror
Candle, Lighter, small Plastic bags, tiffin box	Cellotape, cotton, cotton buds
Pen, Pencil, Diaries, disposable glass/dishes
Thread(nada or plastic thread) to hang clothes and plastic clips, hangers
Locks and keys, stapler, fewistik/fewikwik

Cosmetics
Vaseline, body lotion, ponds powder, Lip guard	Detergents, soaps for washing clothes-tide, Rin, Surf excel,
Soap-lux/pears/dove, Dettol, hand sanitizer	Shaving kit-Razor, shaving cream, after shave lotion, shaving brush, scissors, bowl, old/throw away brushes
Shampoo, soaps, conditioner, hair oil, hair comb,	Nail polish, eye liner, bindi, compact and foundation, eye makeup, veet, lipsticks, safetypins, Face pack, facial kit
Soap/liquid to wash utensils – Vim liquid,bar, scotch brite	Napkins, rubber band, deodorant/body spray

Grocery
Atta (wheat flour), Rice, dhokla, Chana flour,	Salt, Mirchi powder, Dhana jiru, haldi,jira, rai, ajma
Fada, Chavanprash	Mari, Laving, kesar, elaichi, tal, soonth, ganthoda,
Cooking oil(sunflower/safola,etc), Ghee	Honey,methi, Red/green chillies,
Garam masala- chat/panipuri/pavbhaji/chole	Sugar,tea,coffee,maggi,jaggery,imli/kokam,
Rocksalt,hing, chana, chole chana,vaal, mug/mag,	Soda,nimbu ful,poha/mamra, maggi masala pouch
Tuver daal, moong daal-green/yellow, adad daal	Potato, onions,garlic, adrac, pickles,
Masoor daal,chana daal,tuver, daliya, shing/chana	Readymade soup/sabji/idli/sambhar/vada/upma/uthappa packets

Clothes (Men)
Formals, Home wear,	Shoes/Slippers, Chappal
T-shirts, Trousers, Jeans, Tie	Belts, Tie, Wrist Watch,  Clock, Wallet, Cash
Raincoats, Umbrellas	Towel, Handkerchiefs, undergarments
Tracks, sunglasses, sweater, jacket, hand gloves, muffler, hat	Spectacles and its container (2 pairs if possible and its prescription in written by your spectacle maker)
Cap/monkey cap, thermowear

Clothes (Ladies)
Kurti/Legings	Sweater/jackets, shawls, hand gloves, scaff
Dress, T-Shirt/Jeans,	Monkey cap, blanket, raincoat, thermowear
Socks (thin/warm), Sandal, shoes, slippers	Hair pin, rubber band, chain, bangles, earrings
Night dress- Tshirts/pants, undergarments	Bracelet, bindi, lip liner
Cotton dupattas,napkins, handkerchiefs, sarees	Sunglasses, small/big purses, towels, wrist watch
Earrings, Ring, Ornaments

Most important thing you look for is the place where you are going to stay for long term – your home (rented or owned). The rented flats/appartments will cost you based on the area you select for stay. It can vary from Rs.8000 to Rs.15000 for 1 BHK unfurnished; Rs.13000 to Rs.20000 for 2BHK unfurnished). There are also fully furnished options available which may cost you around Rs.16000 to Rs.25000 with amenities like refrigerator, washing machine, and power backup. Things you need to check for before selecting a rented house :

·         Total rent (clarify whether the rent includes the maintenance cost or excludes maintenance cost)

·         Total deposit (can vary from Rs.50000 to Rs.1,20,000); mostly its 10 month rent in advance for BGLR; but mostly its negotiable to some extent.

·         Power backup facility available in the flat or not (because in some areas of BGLR, the power goes off every now and then; in such cases, you need to select a flat/apartment having 24-hour power backup). Clarify if power backup is only for general area (lift/club house etc) OR its for all appliances in home. For certain power backups, its only for general area, some flats provide partial power backup which on power cut off, puts your light (TubeLight/bulb/Fans) running.

·         Locality/Public in surroundings (mostly neighbours) – especially you are going to stay with your family.

·         Should have 24-hour water supply

·         Should have gas geyser in working condition (comes even under unfurnished house). Check the working condition of geyser. Also check the litre capacity of geyser. If it's a small geyser of 3 lts, you will have to turn on/off the tap for 2-3 times to make up a full bucket of hot water. A bigger geyser above 5-6 lts will fetch hot water continuosly.

·         1-2 Cupboards (comes even under unfurnished house). See if atleast one cupboard/warddrobe as a mirror on it.

·         Windows should be covered with grills (especially if you have a small kid). Also should be with a mosquito net in all windows so you can keep it open at evening and night time. Else due to mosquitos you might need to keep it closed during evening/night time.

•     You can consult with neighbours before shifting that are mosquitos problem frequent here, what about 24 hour water supply and power cut.

·         Bathroom/washbasin with hot/cold water taps and latrine with proper flush tank and working jet spray or hand spray (with normal/fast water force) - (comes even under unfurnished house)

·         Tubelights (atleast one in every room), fan (atleast one in every room) - (comes even under unfurnished house)

·         Sufficient electric plugs/sockets for laptop/mobile charging and ironing clothes.

·         Plug/input for washing machine and refrigerator and also aquaguard (if possible). Check with the owner for permission of drilling for aquaguard, stands in bathrooms, wall clocks, TV wall mounts, frames, etc.

•      Check the washing machine faucet/valve whether (if washing machine not provided already), your washing machine will fit here with pipe fitting correctly or not. Otherwise, you will have to either call washing machine service person or plumber to change the faucet.

·         Sink (in kitchen) with good water supply in tap

·         Platform size with small cupboards (based upon your need). Modular kitchen/kitchen trolleys is much preferred.

·         If gallery is present, check if nobody can easily jump into and enter your house; and whether it is safe for your child or not.

·         Curtain rods above most of the windows -(comes even under unfurnished house). See if the clamps and rods are in good condition (not broken or can easily fall over). 

•      Keep a measure tape with you always while visiting so you can measure distances and take a note of it like sofa measurement, curtain rod length, curtain cloth length, refrigerator area, washing machine area, etc.

·         Door with either a keyhole or a small chain or a small window besides the door (so that you/your wife can check once before opening the door). If there is an iron grill before the door, that’s even better.

·         Optional – Check if there is a grocery store, bakery, mall, megastore near to the house – that will add quite a lot of convenience to your routine.

Things that you would require to purchase:

·         Refrigerator – You can buy it a 2^nd hand one from either OLX or QUICKR; if you don’t have a requirement of purchasing a new one. A single door refrigerator  (any of these companies -Whirlpool, LG, Samsung, Kelvinator, Voltas, etc) is enough for a couple with a small kid (2 yrs approx.). If you are going through OLX or QUICKR, its recommended to visit the place/seller once and check the product before purchasing. I bought a whirlpool single door refrigerator at Rs.6000/- (from OLX). Things you can look/check for:

o   Cooling

o   Star (3-star, 4- star)

o   Defrost mechanism

o   Ask for original bill if possible so you can clearly find out how old is it and how much is it used.

o   If your area has a very frequent power cutoff/electricity problems, you need to take a stabilizer also for the refrigerator (if not already given built-in) to save it from voltage overheads.

o   Some of the points can be checked only after delivery; so note down the contact no. and address of the person and check the product immediately after delivery.

o   NOTE: For refrigerator, its recommended that you don’t tilt the refrigerator during delivery. There may be problem of internal gas leakage. If you have tilted it during transport to 2^nd-3^rd floor, start the refrigerator 30-45 mins later after being put in a stable position.

o   Transportation cost from seller’s place to your house (Approx – the van/truck person will take Rs.500 for normal 6-7 km distance; also assume Rs.200-300 labour cost if you want to take it to 2^nd-3^rd floor). Clarify the cost with him (including labour) before delivery. If he alone (van driver himself) with no other labourer comes for delivery, then Rs.500 + his labour cost of 150-200; if one more guy accompanies him, then Rs.500 + Rs. 300 (per person accompanying him).

o   While delivery, ensure that you accompany the van/truck person (recommended – u sit with him in his van only); else he can vanish away anytime J

·         Washing Machine – 2^nd hand from OLX or QUICKR (5.5 to 6 kg or 6.2 kg max should be enough for a couple with kid). Semi-automatic or fully automatic depending on your need. Fully automatic is more recommended to save time. Some recommended companies – Whirlpool, IFB, Samsung, LG. Same points to be noted as above. I bought a whirlpool 6.2 kg fully automatic washing machine at Rs.6500/- (from OLX). Things you can look/check for:

o   Before buying or making a deal, definitely check the TAP in your bathroom or kitchen where you are going to connect the input water pipe of the washing machine.

o   Most of the times, an ordinary TAP is required for input water suppy to washing machine and it may not be available in our kitchen or bathroom where we are going to place our washing machine.

o   Either u confirm this before delivery or you can get an ordinary TAP fitted in by a plumber once your washing machine is delivered.

o   Check there is no leakage when machine moves

o   Ask for original bill if possible so you can clearly find out how old is it and how much is it used.

o   Noise caused while rotating

o   Dryer functioning properly or not

o   Before starting usage, its recommended (precaution) don’t forget to cover the sensor/buttons given for operation on the washing machine; and be careful while removing the clothes from the machine; ensuring the water doesn’t fall over the sensor/buttons. Cover it with some plastic for safety so that it doesn’t cause early repairing cost.

·         Gas stove, Cylinder and Installation – This is a somewhat complicated process if you go and contact a government operated agency. This will require your permanent residential proof; original id proofs, photographs, etc to make your registered gas connection.  Most probably, your rental agreement copy will be accepted (but not sure).

o   You may also need to visit the govt agencies many a times to get your connection registered.

o   Instead, for now, you can contact a private gas providing agency (google out for the same in your city); just contact him and he’ll come at your place – with gas stove, filled cylinder and install it at your place.

o   I did the same – he came and installed it within 2-3 hours (Total cost – Rs.3800/- > Rs 900 cylinder, Rs.1800 approx gas stove and other installation charges, etc).

o   You can start up your routine (especially cooking) the same day itself.

•       Mostly in appartments where gas pipeline is already installed and activated, no worries at all but in all areas or appartments it might not be available. So preffered is with gas pipeline (installed and activated both)
•       My experience with Bharat Gas (in Pune) is very bad; I had to switch to HP Gas whose service was much better. Documents asked for: Agreement copy with police verification , govt id proof (aadhar will work), bank a/c no and ifsc code. They provide 2 cylinders with one regulator and sufficient length pipe. The HP gas person will first come and visit/verify your gas stove working condition and then on next day or after will further proceed with payment. He will verify if the gas stove (valves/regular) is fine and does not have any leakage, else you might have to replace it/change it for safety.
•        In my case, a leakage was detected in the valves so I had to replace it.
•        This is Jan 2020 I am talking about - so HP Gas takes 5200/- amount out of which approx 3000 is deposit and other charges include gas pipe, regulator and 2 cylinders.
•       One imp point to be noted is that which u visit a new home for purchasing or rent, take a note about the hole in the platform where it is provided. If not, get it done first through owner. And also, if hole is there, check the direction of the hole in platform - your gas pipe might be on right side and hole on the left side, this happened in my case. So I had to ask the same HP Gas person (who came to check the gas valves/regular) to change the pipe direction to right side instead of left. This is additional 150-200 rs cost.

·         Water Can/Aquaguard –

o   If you are very much cautious about drinking water, you need to purchase an aquaguard atleast (Others – Kent RO+UV water purifiers can also be installed but that may cost you upto Rs.16,000 to Rs.18,000). Aquaguard will be a lot cheaper but again, you need to check the water quality first that you are going to drink (provide input to your aguaguard/Kent RO). Because at some places there is a hard water supply; and in such cases a normal filter or aquaguard won’t help. In such cases, you need to purchase an RO+UV water purifier only.

o   Check with the supplier (aquaguard or Kent,etc ) person; he’ll come at your home and provide inputs over which kind of water supply is available; and which purifier you need to install for your requirement.

•   There is a TDS meter available online (costs only around 200-300 rs). Purchase it, just dip it in a sample cup of water and immediately will reflect the TDS level. 
• Ideal TDS count till 200 is fine for drinking. Any RO will reduce the TDS level to certain extent, so in your home if the regular tap water is having TDS level of 400, then RO can reduce it to 200 or 100 based on the setting/configuration made by the installation person. 
• Some RO with MTDS (Manual TDS) will allow setting MTDS level at the time of installation (like setting to 50% reduction in TDS). So that will reduce the total TDS count from incoming water to 50%.  But this too will vary. Some appartments supply drinking water in taps between 6 to 9 AM and 6 to 9 PM daily - this water has already a reduced TDS of around 100. And the remaining time of the day will supply around 400 TDS. So it depends on you at what time u switch on your aqauguard with RO. Also, in summer in case of water supply comes from tanker then it will have huge TDS level. So in that case too, your RO setting (based on configuration made) will reduce the TDS level accordingly.

o   Alternate option is – there are many water can suppliers; you can contact any of them (find it out at nearby place or google it out). They will provide you water cans. Initial deposit around Rs.250 + a water dispenser with tap and a water can over the dispenser – all totaling upto around Rs.350. When the water can gets empty (approx. 2-2.5 days for a couple + kid), u can call him up and ask for a new water can. (Mostly one water can charge would be approx. Rs.35-40).

·         Double Bed – You can definitely go for a new double bed but it may be expensive for setting down initially. I bought it from OLX itself for Rs.6500 (including mattress). Things you can check for are (apart from the points mentioned above for refrigerator) :

o   Ensure the legs for the double bed are not broken

o   Mattress quality

o   Bolts/Nuts/Washers/Screws for refitting once delivered.

o   No damage on the main layer where you are going to sleep

o   No damage on the inner (below/lower) layer where you can keep the extra luggage inside

o   If possible, carry a measure tap with you to measure the size (whether its 6x6 or 6x5 etc) and the mattress is fitted in correctly or not.

o   Before making the deal, don’t forget to measure your bedroom size and the door size from where you are going to move in your double bed. I have seen some cases where, after delivery the double bed (even after detachment) doesn’t come inside the bedroom.

·         Chairs  – I bought it from OLX itself. Two chairs for Rs.600 (I visited the seller’s place and found the chairs almost unused in an extremely good quality). Check the four legs of the chair and sit twice or thrice with a thrust on the chair to check its durability and then make the deal.

·         Iron table - I bought it from OLX itself for Rs. 600 (almost unused). Check :

o   The surface is not burnt anywhere

o   Its folding correctly

o   After unfolding, the legs of the table hold the tiles surface correctly. Should not be like 3 legs in contact with tiles and fourth leg remaining in the air.

·         Personal vehicle (2-wheeler/4-wheeler): I am not sure about the car but for 2-wheelers to be transferred from your state to another state in India is a problem.

o   I have read some procedure is involved in that to officially drive your vehicle in another state.

o   You need to take an NoC from your state (for ex: GUJ) for that.

o   Also, you need to pay road tax (may be Rs.1000 to Rs.4000) in the destination city RTO.

o   And even after this, in India its not guaranteed that the traffic police won’t catch you.

o   After following the above procedure, its possible that a traffic police might catch you for one or the other reason and may demand some of the other weird stuff which you might not have,  landing yourself into trouble; and ultimately you give Rs.300-400 to him to escape. This can happen multiple times.

o   This is not my experience but I have heard people saying this.

o   So conclusively, even after paying 4-5K, you may be caught by traffic police and pay penalty for one or the other cause (or newly create cause).

o   Better option is that you sell your 2-wheeler locally in your city and purchase a new one/2^nd hand one from the destination city.

·         Pest Control -  Check with the house owner once at what time the pest control was last done.                       It's good that pest control be done every year. Warranty for ants/cockroach control is around 6 months (costing around 1200rs). Complete pest control warranty should be around 1 year (costing around 3-4k).  I went for the ants/cockroach control as it was 4th floor for me. But I felt the difference - no ants, cockroaches appeared in the entire home for long time. The person sprinkles the chemicals in the entire house in max 15 mins and then applies a herbal paste everywhere at corners mostly. And it's done. You can go for house cleaning after this (next day or 2 days after). The effect will not go away or washed away. You can also compare price of local pest control guy with urban clap. Would cost approx the same.

• Deep cleaning - If you opt for a rented house which has been shut for around 5-6 months, then you may need to go for deep cleaning. As the person/tenant that stayed before might have not maintained it well or used it roughly.
• Local cleaning agency and urban clap  are good options. Compare price between them and select.
• Deep cleaning will ensure complete cleaning of all rooms including fans, tubelights, gallery, bathrooms/toilets, kitchen, etc. Will cost range between 3k to 5k depending on the house area (ex: 1000 sq ft) and furniture you have as they need to move furniture every now and then and clean it too.
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