Pune Calling? How Students from Outside Adapt and Enjoy City Life with Real Ease!
From finding the right food to the perfect study spot, here’s how students from outside Pune ease into life in the Oxford of the East.
Pune, often called the Oxford of the East, is a dynamic city filled with youthful energy, academic excellence, and a unique blend of tradition and modernity. Every year, it welcomes thousands of students from across India (and abroad) who come here for higher education. While the thought of moving to a new city can be overwhelming, most outstation students find themselves surprisingly at ease in Pune and here’s why.
Warm and Inclusive Culture
Pune’s culture is a beautiful fusion of Maharashtrian roots and cosmopolitan vibes. Locals are generally warm, polite, and helpful, especially to students. The city values learning and curiosity making it naturally welcoming to young minds.
Traditional festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, and Gudi Padwa are celebrated with enthusiasm, and students from other states often get to participate, gaining cultural exposure and friendships that go beyond classroom walls.
Language Barrier? Not Really
Worried about Marathi? Don’t be. While Marathi is the native tongue, most Punekars are fluent in Hindi and English, especially in educational institutions, hostels, and cafes. Picking up basic Marathi phrases like “Kasa Kai?” (How are you?) or “Majet ahe!” (All good!) is easy and fun, and locals always appreciate the effort.
Accommodation Is Student-Friendly
Pune has evolved into a true student city with plenty of PGs, hostels, shared flats, and co-living spaces across areas like Viman Nagar, Kothrud, Karve Nagar, Wakad, and Hinjewadi.
While Koregaon Park and Deccan are slightly more upscale, areas around Fergusson College, Symbiosis campuses, and Savitribai Phule Pune University are packed with budget-friendly options. Many come semi-furnished with Wi-Fi, laundry, and food included — a big relief for newcomers.
Commuting Made Simple
Auto-rickshaws are everywhere, but for longer distances, PMPML buses, shared rickshaws, and metro connectivity (gradually expanding) make things affordable.
Students also widely use bicycles, scooters (Vogo, Bounce), or cab apps like Uber and Rapido. Many areas are walkable — so if your college is nearby, commuting may not even be an issue.
Hangouts and Hideouts
Pune is full of budget hangouts and chill zones:
- Vaishali on FC Road – legendary South Indian food.
- Goodluck Café – Irani chai and bun maska heaven.
- Vohuman Café – known for its breakfast vibes.
- JM Road and FC Road – shop, eat, stroll.
- Koregaon Park – for cafés, open mics, and a boho vibe.
- Viman Nagar’s Phoenix Mall – perfect for a weekend movie or retail therapy.
Students also find calm in places like Osho Garden, Sarasbaug, or Khadakwasla Lake when they need to breathe.
Coping with Homesickness
It’s natural to miss home, especially in the first few months. But Pune offers:
- Cultural societies: From Bengali to Tamil associations, cultural communities host events that make festivals feel like home.
- Home-style messes: Many PGs offer regional food options (like North Indian thalis, Kerala meals, Gujarati khana).
- Affordable counseling and wellness centres at many colleges help students adjust mentally and emotionally.
Study + Fun = Balance
Whether you’re at COEP, MIT, Fergusson, Symbiosis, or any of the dozens of other institutions, Pune helps maintain a healthy work-life balance.
The pleasant weather, the mountains nearby, and the ever-curious student crowd make it easy to plan treks, café study sessions, group projects, or solo walk
Pune Grows On You
Most students arrive in Pune with a sense of uncertainty but leave with a heart full of memories, friendships, and a second home. The city doesn’t just teach you what’s in the syllabus, it teaches independence, diversity, and how to navigate life with joy.
Whether you’re coming from a small town or another metro, Pune has something for everyone and it’s only a matter of time before you start calling it “home.”
