Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Pune, located in Maharashtra, India, is a vibrant technology and education hub often referred to as the 'Oxford of the East'. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 7.5 million. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 40 Mbps with many cafes and co-working spaces offering high-speed connectivity. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 INR ≈ 0.012 USD. ATMs and banks are widely available. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable. It's advisable to use bottled water. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type D and M sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Popular providers include Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone, offering affordable data plans. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Banks like HDFC, ICICI, and Standard Chartered cater to expats with various services. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from hostels to serviced apartments. Websites like Airbnb and OYO are popular. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards and mobile wallets like Paytm and PhonePe are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and OYO provide numerous short-term rental options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Zostel Pune and Backpacker Panda offer budget-friendly stays. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Areas like Koregaon Park and Shivaji Nagar are recommended for tourists due to their proximity to attractions. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Hinjewadi and Kalyani Nagar are preferred for their co-working spaces and amenities. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Hive and WeWork offer excellent co-working facilities with amenities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe Pind is known for its ambiance and Wi-Fi, making it a popular choice. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups and tech events are frequently held at venues like Pune's Startup Cafe. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups like 'Expats in Pune' and events from Internations provide great networking opportunities. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Ola are the most commonly used ride-hailing apps. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Services like Vogo and Yulu offer bike rentals in key areas. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Alibaug Beach is approximately 97 km away, about 2.5 hours drive. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | IndiGo is a major carrier connecting various regional destinations. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air India and Emirates offer many international flights from Pune. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Pune is well connected via the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Pune Junction is the main railway station connecting to major cities. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly passes for PMPML buses are available. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and trains are efficiently managed, making travel to nearby cities like Lonavala and Mumbai easy. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Sassoon General Hospital is the most prestigious public hospital. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Patanjali Chikitsalaya and Yoga Studio Pune are popular for yoga enthusiasts. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Cure.fit and Talwalkars are well-equipped fitness centers in Pune. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundry services like DhobiLite and Laundromania are available. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Swiggy and Zomato are the top food delivery apps in Pune. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Puran Poli is a must-try traditional Maharashtrian dish. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurants like Vaalvi and Shreyas offer excellent vegetarian cuisine. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale is famous for its authentic Indian sweets. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Shaniwar Peth market is great for budget-friendly grocery shopping. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon and Flipkart are popular online shopping platforms. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | BigBasket offers convenient grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Koregaon Park area is known for its vibrant nightlife and numerous bars. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Gateway Brewing Co. is a renowned local brewery offering craft beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Pune Wine Store offers a variety of local and international wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Vishram Baug and Janta Bazaar are famous for street food options. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Diners can find options for Italian, Thai, and Chinese food in various restaurants across the city. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Aga Khan Palace and Shaniwar Wada are key historical sites. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum showcases Indian art and culture. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Pataleshwar Cave Temple is an ancient rock-cut temple worth visiting. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Osho Ashram in Koregaon Park is a popular meditation retreat. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Pune International Film Festival hosts various films and events every year. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Koregaon Park is a vibrant area filled with arts, dining, and shopping. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Bal Gandharva Mandir regularly features plays and performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Laxmi Road and Fashion Street are bustling with shops and local vendors. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Pune has a lively music scene with venues like High Spirits Café hosting various acts. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Various walls in areas like Kalyani Nagar display vibrant street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Pune has numerous cooking classes where you can learn local cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Art2Day and Gallery 99 are prominent art galleries showcasing local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Pune's old Peth areas have many preserved architectural gems. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city is known for its rich Maratha heritage, particularly seen in its forts and temples. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Lavasa and Mulshi Lake offer beautiful escapes close to the city. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Bhima Shankar Wildlife Sanctuary is about 100 km away for nature lovers. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Pune University campus and Koregaon Park have scenic walking and cycling paths. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Vasota Fort offers breathtaking views for photography enthusiasts. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Khambaatki Ghat and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary are great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Mulshi Lake is a popular location for bonfires and camping. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DTDC and Blue Dart offer reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Repair services are available at locations like iFone and TechHub. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Indoor tables available at various sports complexes across Pune. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Institutes like Inlingua offer language courses for various levels. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Pune University library and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya provide study environments. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Pune has several community centers like the Indian Cultural Centre for events and gatherings. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming lounges like GameOn are popular among enthusiasts. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Though not prevalent, there are some gaming lounges offering entertainment. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₹6,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₹2,600,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₹4,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₹1,800,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₹5,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₹3,480,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₹4,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₹2,400,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₹5,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₹4,000,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₹3,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₹2,800,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% (subject to applicability depending on income and other factors) |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 20% for domestic dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income; non-residents are taxed on India-sourced income only. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 30% for income over ₹1,000,000. |
| 🧾 VAT | Goods and Services Tax (GST) is 18% on most services and goods. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | India does not have strict CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Based on the annual value of the property. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Stamp duty can range from 5% to 9% of the property's value, depending on the state. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | India has provisions for non-resident tax benefits; however, it requires compliance under the Income Tax Act. |