India
Profiled in Mumbai · South Asia
Mumbai never sleeps, never slows down, and never stops surprising you with equal parts glamour, grit and Bollywood dreams.
Cost of living
What a month costs
India is cheap, but central Mumbai rent is not.
The scores
How it rates for a moving family
See and do
Top 10 in Mumbai
- Gateway of IndiaThe grand seafront arch where every Mumbai visit begins.
- Marine DriveThe Queen's Necklace promenade that glitters at night along the bay.
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj TerminusA UNESCO Gothic railway palace and the city's busiest station.
- Elephanta CavesAncient rock-cut Shiva temples on an island an hour by boat.
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu SangrahalayaThe city's great museum of Indian art and antiquities.
- Haji Ali DargahA white marble shrine reached by a causeway into the sea.
- Dhobi GhatThe vast open-air laundry that is a sight in constant motion.
- Siddhivinayak TempleThe city's most beloved Ganesh temple, packed on Tuesdays.
- Sanjay Gandhi National ParkA forest with leopards and the Kanheri caves inside the city limits.
- Juhu BeachSunset crowds, street chaat and Bollywood mansions nearby.
Where to go
Weekend escapes
- LonavalaMisty hill station two hours east, famous for chikki and monsoon greenery.
- AlibaugQuick ferry across the harbour to beaches and weekend villas.
- MatheranCar-free hill town with a toy train and red-earth walking trails.
- PuneLaid-back university city with cafes, forts and cooler evenings.
- NashikIndia's wine country with vineyard tastings a few hours north.
Coffee
Best cafes
- Leopold CafeColaba institution serving beer and people-watching since 1871.
- Cafe MondegarOld Colaba haunt with Mario Miranda murals and a jukebox.
- Kala Ghoda CafeTiny arty spot for good coffee in the gallery district.
- Prithvi CafeLeafy theatre courtyard in Juhu for chai and Irish coffee.
- Blue Tokai Coffee RoastersSpecialty single-origin roaster with a growing city following.
Restaurants
Where to eat
- TrishnaLegendary Kala Ghoda seafood, famous for its butter garlic crab.
- Britannia & CoBeloved Parsi cafe known for berry pulao and slow-cooked dhansak.
- The Bombay CanteenModern regional Indian in Lower Parel with a great bar.
- BademiyaLate-night Colaba grill for smoky seekh kebabs and rolls.
- Mahesh Lunch HomeOld-school Mangalorean seafood done simply and superbly.
- KhyberGrand Fort restaurant for rich North Indian and Mughlai classics.
- BastianBuzzy Bandra seafood spot that draws the film crowd.
Morning
Best breakfast
- Kyani & CoCentury-old Irani cafe for bun maska, chai and akuri.
- B Merwan & CoGrant Road classic famous for its melting mawa cakes.
- Yazdani BakeryFort bakery loved for brun maska and ginger chai.
- Ideal CornerHomely Fort Parsi cafe with weekday dhansak and akuri.
- Cafe MadrasMatunga favourite for crisp dosas and filter coffee.
- Ram AshrayKing's Circle temple to idli, dosa and daily-changing chutneys.
- Jimmy BoyFort Parsi kitchen serving proper wedding-style breakfasts.
- CandiesAll-day Bandra hangout with pastries, eggs and shaded terraces.
- The NutcrackerKala Ghoda brunch spot for pancakes and healthy plates.
Residency
India has no simple residency route, so most newcomers arrive on an employer-sponsored employment visa or a business visa tied to activity here. People of Indian origin can instead apply for an OCI card, which grants near-permanent right to live and work.
Tax
Once you spend enough days here you become tax resident, and India taxes residents on worldwide income at rates reaching about 30 percent plus surcharge and cess. New arrivals often qualify for a couple of years as resident but not ordinarily resident, taxed only on Indian-source income.
Thinking about moving here for real? See the verified India residency and citizenship routes →
Curious what you would actually pay? See the India tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →
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