Ahmedabad vs Gandhinagar — which city makes more sense for a fresher outsider near GIFT City
Greetings everyone! I've just moved here from Pune to study GIFT City, where I go to college 3 days a week, and I must admit that this city is slowly capturing my heart.
The people in this city are very kind-hearted. I have gotten lost a few times and random strangers have actually stopped to help me get on the right path—not just by saying "go straight" but by really going out of their way to help me! This kind of kindness does actually feel different as an outsider who is far away from their home.
The shopkeepers in my area are also very friendly; I have observed how the shopkeepers in my area talk to other customers and treat all of the customers. As an outsider, I have never felt that I am out of place or unwelcome. Although I am still not fluent in Gujarati, I have found that most people will switch to speaking Hindi without making a big deal about it, which I really appreciate.
I am currently trying to make a decision about where I would like to move to: Ahmedabad or Gandhinagar? I have recently made arrangements with my new roommate and now need to decide which city I would prefer to move into.
About Me:
- I just graduated and am not connected at all in this place.
-My college is located at GIFT City, so I only have class on 3 days and plenty of free time to look for a part-time job.
-I haven't been able to find any job opportunities, but I will continue trying until I do.
My Impressions of the Two Cities:
Ahmedabad - More alive and has more people and things happening, making me feel confident that I can find a job here if I work hard at it. The energy from other people in the city has really contributed to its warmth.
Gandhinagar - Very peaceful and clean; enjoyed my time there. I went on some nice night drives and experienced a completely different vibe from that of my previous city. I tried some of the food at Kudasan and Sector 6, and both places were worth eating at. The only downside is that transportation is a bit expensive and only until 7:30 PM the metro is running. Coming from Pune, where I primarily used the metro, this is going to be an adjustment and cause me to incur additional costs when travelling at night.
What I'm Looking For:
- Which city has more part-time jobs for new graduates or inexperienced workers?
- Where can I develop a network from the ground up?
- Where can I actually build a network from scratch?
- Which one is easier on the pocket for a student?
Would really love to hear from locals or anyone who’s been in a similar situation. Any advice on jobs, networking, or just surviving and thriving as an outsider here would be super helpful 🙏