Elsa Angel Rose
Is Goa becoming more expensive with every passing day? Rent, food, travel, miscellaneous expenses, and more are skyrocketing according to some, while for many others, the money they earn is more than enough to lead a ‘susegad’ life here. People who have settled here from other cities and states (not all of them) tend to assume that Goa is somewhat like the countryside, and that living expenses will therefore be lower than where they come from. Expectations are not always met. Alongside these expectations, there are aspirations to work remotely, and of course, hit the beach or a nightclub every weekend, and sometimes even on weekdays. A software engineer took to the social media recently to reveal that she spends Rs 82,000 a month living alone in Goa and this has made people sit up and take notice.
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IS LIFESTYLE DRIVING THE COST OF LIVING IN GOA?
It is confusing whether it is the lifestyle of people here, especially youngsters, or the state itself that is actually costly. “Goa is a very happening place, going out, beach plans, cafés, social scenes, and when you’re around it all the time, it’s easy to feel like you should also be part of it. In my case, since I’m living away from home and managing work, there are times when I feel like stepping out just to take a break or not feel left out. Even a simple plan like going to a café or meeting friends by the beach ends up becoming a regular expense. It’s not always intentional, but it does add up and creates a subtle pressure to keep up with that lifestyle,” said Naget Sneha from Mapusa, who moved to Goa a year ago for her work. She added, “At the same time, I try to remind myself that it’s a choice and I don’t always have to follow it, but the environment does influence you a lot.” If you are interested in café hopping, joining workshops, and going partying every Sunday, then certainly the expenses are not going to be low. “It is definitely possible to live frugally in Goa, after all, many locals do so and maintain a balanced lifestyle. Certain parts of Goa and experiences can tempt you to spend more, but choosing whether to engage in that lifestyle is entirely up to you,” said Sneha.
EXPECTATION VS REALITY FOR MIGRANTS IN GOA
“I haven’t lived in Goa for a long time, but having moved here from Pune, a pretty developed city, I expected the cost of living to be on the lower side. However, every time I buy groceries, I find that the prices are similar. Most of the products have an MRP now, so they probably cost the same everywhere anyway, but even vegetables and fruits aren’t any cheaper. Flat rents are skyrocketing, travel is super expensive, and even going out to eat is expensive,” shared Sanika Malvi, a designer from Panjim who moved to Goa less than 3 months ago. She added that the rising cost of living is largely driven by increasing tourism and the influx of people from across the country coming to settle here, including herself. Another person, working in the creative industry who moved to Goa for an internship and is based in Porvorim, shared his struggles in finding a good apartment/PG in Goa. “I tried f inding accommodation online, which wasn’t helpful. In the end, I managed to find accommodation through a WhatsApp group. For my current accommodation, I pay Rs 10,000 as rent and Rs 10,000 as a deposit, which feels a bit excessive given the facilities and space provided.” The Porvorim based intern also emphasised the presence of tourists and migrants as the major reason for the increased prices. He said, “As the number of tourists has increased, whether it’s local or international tourists, people know that there is a market to make money and not wanting to be left behind, they charge more, which makes Goa expensive.” Another factor contributing to rising expenses is the limited connectivity of the transport system. Anyone who has tried to book a cab in Goa knows the struggle very well (which almost everyone has tried). Unlike major metropolitan cities, there are no online cab services in Goa except for GoaMiles. The public transport system here is not well connected. Most locals have their own vehicles. Any taxi you get from the airport or bus stand charges you an arm and a leg. “As an outsider, even basic things like getting around become costly. Using local buses can be difficult to navigate, so I often end up taking really pricey cabs. Also, most places aren’t easily accessible or nearby, so stepping out usually means spending more on transport,” said Sneha.
WHAT DO LOCALS THINK ABOUT THE SAME?
Locals in Goa have contrasting views when it comes to rising living expenses in the state. “Because of the influx of tourists, even if you go to an average café, you will end up spending at least rupees 500. In earlier years, I don’t feel there was such a huge footfall of domestic tourists in Goa. Hence, prices were still affordable, unlike now,” said Ananya, a social media manager from Margao. Commenting on the lifestyle aspect, she said, “If I want to learn something new, such as joining a pottery class or any other class, I have to pay a minimum of rupees 1000, which is sad, honestly.” When asked how some locals say that Goa is not expensive and that it solely depends on one’s lifestyle, Ananya replied, “If you don’t have a social life, if your entire life is centred around your work, and you go out only once in a blue moon, then yes, it will be easier to save money. But if you are someone who would like to go out, then Goa will certainly be expensive.” Aishwarya Satardekar, a dentist from Margao who is currently staying in Mumbai, said, “I don’t think Goa is a very expensive state. As I’m working in Mumbai, I can see a difference in the cost of living between the two places. Mumbai is much more expensive to live in. It could be influenced by the way people who come to Goa to settle choose to live.” She added, “Goa is more than cafes, beaches and nightclubs, it is much more than that.”
