Julia Dutta,

I thought I would share my personal experience.

I am sure there are better places to live.

Regards.God bless.

R.K.Datta

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Tanushri, One thing about money - if it belongs to you, it will find its way to you. No need to hold on to this or that! What is killing is also management of wealth, if you know what I mean. Good you got rid of that flat. I live in a DDa flat and know how bad it is to be in one, even though it is old and not the new ones which are good only for those who like to like in buildings which stand like a pack of card. I trust no one in Delhi, neither a buyer, nor a seleer, they just are not professional enough. My expectations as a one time Bombayite far exceeds these Delhites! Thanks for your comment, Julia

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Dear Mr Datta, Thank you for that comment with personal touch. I liked it very much. No doudt no one with any sense of aesthetics can want DDA flats but it is the only cheap option available. However, I have decided against it. Julia

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Daer all, I must confess, I am sorry for the delayed response to your comment. I have cut off the net connection at home as I was getting too addicted to Sulekha and ever since, I am happy, reading a lot more. Although I am forever late in replying to comments... You are right Bijaya, as a single woman, we really have very few rights which otherwise are given to people with family. Disgusting! Thanks for your comment though, Julia

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Hi Julia, Aeons back I'd booked a flat with the DDA. THis was in 1983. Then came a series of articles in newspapers that all DDA flats were falling down and the construction was very poor and I withdrew my application...They even deducted a chunk as penalty from my Rs. 10,000 deposit (which was a princely sum, then). Many of my friends scorned me and continued to hold on to their possession letter and sold the flats at astronomical amounts...They called me a fool for having withdrawn my application..You could have minted money, they said but I was no businesswoman... As for the reservations, I think we are yet to see the influx of the so called downtrodden into our lives in a big way...God forbid, if Mayawati becomes a PM, we'll have to live with her statues and her clan, no matter which way we turn...

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Julia Dutta,

I spent last 7 years of Working life in Delhi. I first lived in GK I M-block on the first floor of a house on 500yds plot.

Then I moved to C.R.Park where some land lords leased it to the individuals. I did this on the advice of the Admin. Manager. I lived there for 8-9 months of MNC life. It let save lot of money a 3 BR Hall ground floor id cost me Rs.18K.

After my retirement from MNC , I joined an Indian Co. Owners thought it was not worthwhile for me to keep fighting fior things my Electric Meter had the Landlord's connection. While they used their Acs I paid for it.

One of  College mates told me that was the Standard Operating Procedure. I had the same experience even in GK I house. I had to pay nearly Rs.200 K
for Electricity plus generator for two years.

My last 3 years was very nice ,I was living in a large house in gated property in Sainik  Farm - 6000 sq ft house on of the two the owner of the Co. had.

I explored many options in Delhi. The only place I could consider was certain areas of Gurgaon. I would not touch any of the recent DDA flats. Alakanada etc are OK ,most areas are not.

After a point , I quit my job and moved out of Delhi. I chose Nashik. I would say Mumbai ,Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad are better metros to live in. One is forced to live for working, I would not risk my money in buying some thing in Delhi.

Many of my age groups who settled down in Delhi after retirement,slowly moved out.

This might appear to be a lecture. 

Regards.God bless.

R.K.Datta

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Julia The sad part of every affair ( including housing) is the plight of single people. Even if they did not do any good to society, they have not contributed to the ominious population pool. But if you are is single, you dont even have the right to get an insurance for your parents or siblings. you simply need no attention

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Hi Nargis,
I think your FIl did well to sell the flat at VK....no water all the time. One has to get tankers or you will have no water. Second, the water when it comes is so bad that one is forced to buy Bisleri water. Nobody can live in a place where basic aminities and necessities are not available. Only in Delhi, they just adjust! 
As far as caste politics are concerned, I will tell you Nargis, you will have to be among the new Brahmins, so called Dalits to know how disgusting they can be about forever harping about their status. As if to say caste does matter really except that in India it serves as a political agenda. And as for those ( you know who we are taking about) they too are on the political agenda of Indian politicians and castiest neighbours. 
Thanks for your comment,
Julia

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Hi Julia............

     OMG.....Flat politics? Guess what, my Father-in-law bought one in 1985 in Vasant Kunj for maybe two three lakhs. But alas a few years ago he sold it. If only he hadn't! As for caste politics...here's a very interesting anecdote. With that same money he bought one in Sec. The day he occupied it a neighbour invited him over and hinted that they had to be careful to whom they sold the flat and thank god it was someone from their own community and not a....you know whatAnd mind you this was way back befor 9/11. Imagine that guys surprise when my FIL just banged down the teacup and stormed out of the house. I bet that neighbour must still be thinking what on earth happened He then came and related the incident to us and we all had a hearty laugh......Btw...my FIL, another of those rare species that are slowly going extinct. They sure dont make guys like that anymore....:-{

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Hi Maddss,
I am not sure that I will apply as I am sure of all the factors mentioned in my post and additionally, the burden of finding out that apart from the New Brahmins, called Dalits, I might have to also stay amoung juggi jhopadis, both of which are intolerable to me! For business it is a good proposition, if one gets, I will be rich
Thanks for your comment,
Julia

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