Moving to Delhi From Another City —
What No One Tells You

Moving to Delhi from another city is one of those decisions that sounds straightforward until you're actually doing it. Delhi is big, fast, and can feel overwhelming in the first few weeks. But thousands of women make this move every year — for college, for careers, for opportunities — and most of them figure it out and thrive here.

This guide is written honestly. We'll cover the practical things: where to start, what to sort before you arrive, how to stay safe, and how to find your footing. We'll also be upfront about the things that can go wrong, so you can avoid them.

Before You Move — What to Sort First

The single biggest mistake girls make when moving to Delhi is leaving the accommodation search until they've already arrived. This puts you in a vulnerable position — you're in an unfamiliar city, tired from travel, and may end up accepting something that doesn't meet your standards because you need somewhere to stay that night.

Pre-move checklist:

• Accommodation confirmed: PG or flat shortlisted, visited (video tour at minimum), deposit paid, move-in date confirmed
• Documents organised: Aadhaar, PAN card, college/offer letter, passport-size photos, last 3 months bank statements (required by most PGs and landlords)
• Emergency contacts set: At least two people who know your new address and can be reached at any time
• Metro card: Get a Delhi Metro Smart Card at any metro station on arrival — saves time and money immediately
• Bank account: If you don't already have one in the city, open one early — landlords and PGs often require local bank details
• Apps installed: Ola/Uber, Swiggy/Zomato, Google Maps (with Delhi offline), Delhi Metro app, PhonePe or GPay

The Move Itself — What to Pack and What to Leave Behind

If you're moving into a furnished PG like Kuriosity Homes, your packing list is much shorter than you might think. Here's what you actually need versus what most people over-pack:

Pack these:

• Clothes for all Delhi seasons — winters (Nov–Feb) are genuinely cold, summers are intensely hot, monsoon is humid
• All original documents plus photocopies (keep in a separate bag)
• One week's worth of any medications — pharmacies are everywhere but give yourself time to find one
• Comfortable walking shoes — you will walk more than you expect
• A small padlock for your bag or luggage (useful in transit)
• Your own pillow if you're particular about it — most PGs provide everything else

Leave these behind (a furnished PG provides them):

• Bedsheets, mattress, blankets — all provided at Kuriosity Homes
• Study table lamp (rooms are lit)
• Kitchen equipment — common kitchen has everything
• Bulky furniture or appliances

The First Week — How to Get Your Bearings

The first week in a new city is exciting and exhausting in equal measure. Here is a practical order of operations:

Safety in Delhi — What's Real and What's Exaggerated

Delhi has a complicated reputation when it comes to safety for women. Like any large city, it has areas and situations that require caution — and areas where you'll feel completely fine. Here is the honest picture:

What you should genuinely be cautious about:

• Travelling alone after 10 PM on foot in unfamiliar or poorly lit areas
• Using unregistered auto-rickshaws or accepting rides from strangers
• Sharing your exact address with anyone you don't know well
• Leaving valuables visible in bags in crowded markets

What is often exaggerated:

• The idea that Delhi is unsafe at all times for women — most residents move around freely during the day
• Fear of using the metro — Delhi Metro is generally one of the safest ways to travel, with women-only coaches
• The sense that you're alone — Delhi has a large, active community of women who've moved from other cities, and many spaces and communities are built around supporting newcomers

Building a Life — Community and Social Connections

The loneliness of the first few weeks in a new city is real and almost universal. Even extroverts struggle with it. Here is what actually helps:

• Your PG community is your first social network: The women you live with are often from similar situations — new to the city, looking to build connections. Be open. Attend common meals. Knock on a door and introduce yourself.
• Join an activity: A gym, a yoga class, a running group, a hobby class. Having a regular place to be with people you're gradually getting to know is one of the fastest ways to feel settled.
• Your workplace or college: Don't underestimate how much of your social life will come from here. Be proactive about joining lunches, attending events, and saying yes to things in the first month.
• Online communities: Delhi has many Facebook groups, WhatsApp communities and Reddit communities specifically for women who've relocated. Search "girls in Delhi", "Delhi new residents" or city-specific groups for your profession or interest.

Kavya, who moved from Hyderabad and lived at Kuriosity Homes, told us: "The friends I made in the first month at the PG are still my closest friends in Delhi, a year later. I wasn't expecting that — I thought it would be awkward. It wasn't. Everyone was in the same boat."

Budget Planning for Your First Three Months

Knowing what to expect financially prevents a lot of stress. Here is a rough monthly budget for a girl living in a furnished PG in West Delhi: