Ah, Bandra. Our lovely suburb and the place we’ve always called home. But look around the suburb these days and you’ll realise that a lot of expatriates have also made Bandra their home. We asked a few why they chose Bandra.
Matthew Daniels, originally from Michigan, has been living in Bandra for 3 years. He says, “Bandra is very accepting place. I went all around Mumbai looking for a place but Bandra was the only place that accepted me – a foreigner and a bachelor.”
So what does Bandra have that other suburbs don’t? Capoeira teacher Nina Stone (born in England and brought up in the US) says, “Bandra is a great place; everything you want is so close by.” Matthew adds, “To be so close to the sea is a plus point, not to mention the cosmopolitan lifestyle and great mix of old and new world houses with a lot of heritage.”
Apart from these it is also Bandra great nightlife that attracts expats. Mathew says, “My favorite places to hang out would be Zenzi and Toto’s.” Talese Amer, who’s originally from London and has been in Bandra for over 2 years, seconds that. He says, “Everyone I know meets at Zenzi - it’s Bandra’s hotspot.”
And what makes Bandra unique? Nina says, “Everyone you meet in Bandra is into one art form or another – everyone here is just so creative.” Amer adds, “What I like most about Bandra is the people and the abundance of trees, which reminds me of the suburbs in London.” Mathew adds, “The culture here is really reminiscent of life in New York. If I do leave Bandra the thing I’d miss most are its energy and edge.”
- Rommel Albuquerque
