Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital city of the Indian state of West Bengal, known for its vibrant culture, colonial architecture, and historical significance. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 14.8 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed of 30-40 Mbps with some providers offering up to 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 INR ≈ 0.012 USD; ATMs widely available, major cards accepted. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type D/Type M sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone are popular providers; prepaid and postpaid options available. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, and Axis Bank have services for expats; online banking is recommended. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include apartments via Airbnb, Zolo, and Nestaway; prices vary from budget to luxury. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, digital payments like UPI, Paytm, and Google Pay are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available on platforms like Airbnb, Oyo Rooms, and local real estate agencies. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Near Me and Zostel Kolkata offer affordable dormitory options. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Park Street and Esplanade are popular for tourists due to proximity to attractions and nightlife. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Salt Lake and New Town are recommended areas due to coworking spaces and a tech-friendly atmosphere. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork Kolkata, 91Springboard, and Innov8 are top-rated coworking spaces. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Kookie Jar and The Coffee House provide good atmospheres and Wi-Fi for work. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups and tech conferences happen regularly at venues like The Bengal Chamber of Commerce. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups like 'Kolkata Expats' are great for community events and meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Ola are widely used for local transportation. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Rentals available via Bounce and Yulu for eco-friendly commuting. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Digha Beach, approximately 180 km from Kolkata, accessible via train or bus. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | IndiGo and SpiceJet operate flights to key destinations. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air India and Emirates connect Kolkata to various international cities. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | National Highways 6 and 16 connect Kolkata to other major cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Howrah Junction is Kolkata’s primary railway station, connecting to various states. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Kolkata Metro and bus passes are available for monthly and daily use at nominal fees. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and trains are available to nearby towns and cities; Popular services include State Transport buses. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals is known for quality care and facilities. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Kolkata Yoga House and Under The Sky are popular for yoga enthusiasts. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Gold’s Gym and Talwalkars offer good fitness options for locals and expats. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Top Clean and Laundrywala provide reliable laundry and ironing services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Swiggy and Zomato are the leading food delivery apps in Kolkata. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Kosha Mangsho (Mutton Curry) and Rosogolla (sweet) are must-try local delicacies. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Bhojohori Manna and Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick offer extensive vegetarian menus. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Mithai and Flurys are famous for sweets and desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | New Market and Gariahat Market offer budget-friendly shopping options. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon and Flipkart operate successfully and offer extensive choices. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | BigBasket provides grocery delivery services across Kolkata. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Park Street is the hub for nightlife with various bars and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Doolally Taproom and The Biere Club offer local craft beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Wine Company and La Maison are popular for wine enthusiasts. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Golkenda and Vivekananda Park are known for vibrant street food scenes. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Peter Cat and Barbeque Nation provide diverse international dining options. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Victoria Memorial and Howrah Bridge are iconic landmarks of Kolkata. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Indian Museum and Academy of Fine Arts showcase rich cultural heritage. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Writers' Building and Marble Palace are significant historical sites. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Dakshineswar Kali Temple and Belur Math are important spiritual attractions. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Durga Puja festival attracts tourists and expats alike each autumn. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Kolkata's cultural hub includes areas like Kumartuli and Shobhabazar. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | My Kingdom and Nandan are premier theaters showcasing local talent. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Burrabazar and New Market are famous shopping areas for local handicrafts. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Fablab and The Someplace Else are popular live music venues. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Street Art at Bhuleshwar area presents various urban art forms. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Kolkata Culinary Academy offers cooking classes specializing in local cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Gallery K in Park Street showcases contemporary art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Great Eastern Hotel and Raj Bhavan are remarkable architectural marvels. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Kolkata is famous for its unique blend of cultures and historical richness. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Sundarbans National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is about 100 km away. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Sundarbans is also a national park known for its unique ecosystem. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Rabindra Sarobar Lake offers scenic paths for walking and cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The rooftop of Victoria Memorial provides lovely views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Sundarbans is a prime spot for birdwatchers. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Eco Park allows bonfire activities in designated areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Blue Dart offer reliable courier services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iRepair and One97 provide tech repair services across the city. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Table Tennis Association at Maidan is popular for enthusiasts. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | The British Council in Kolkata offers English language classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The National Library of India is the largest in the country and an excellent place to study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Panchayat Samiti Community Center hosts various events and activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Geekattire provides gaming spaces for enthusiasts. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Royale and The Golden Gaming Lounge are prominent casinos. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₹11,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₹4,400,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₹7,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₹3,000,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₹9,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₹5,400,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₹6,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₹3,600,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₹8,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₹6,400,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₹5,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₹4,400,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% on company profits. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 10% on dividend distributions. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income, while non-residents are taxed only on Indian income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 30% for income over ₹15 lakhs. |
| 🧾 VAT | 17% standard rate. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules apply under Indian Income Tax Act. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax varies by municipality; generally based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 6% on property transactions. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No special tax system; general tax laws apply. |