Top 5 locations to buy a home in Kolkata

The city of joy has always been an embodiment of class and culture where you just enjoy roaming around the city, talk about nostalgia, take a lazy stroll by the riverside and then move on! No one bothered to consider investing here seriously.

Recently, significant infrastructure development has contributed to a flourishing real estate market in Kolkata. As the main city area is reaching a saturation point, developers are coming up with fresh projects in the fringes of the city. Improvement of road condition, better connectivity and extension of metro services can be the reason Kolkata is witnessing a steady recovery of the real estate market.

image:primarc.in/realty

There are certain areas where many top developers are investing without a second thought. The areas have come under focus mainly due to the planned development activities and improvement of social infrastructure. Due to such tremendous growth opportunities, demand for property in these parts of the city is also witnessing an increase. The first thing that is considered while buying a home is the location. Though the definition of a good location is perspective, few areas are gaining much popularity than others for all the right reasons.

Let’s check out the most booming localities of Kolkata for buying a 2BHK apartment:

1. Newtown:

The satellite city is becoming one of the real estate hotspots for the investors and gaining prominence owing to the rapidly growing IT sector in that area. Newtown is a planned township divided into three Action Areas comprising of commercial and residential spaces, central business district, IT business parks etc. Infrastructural advantages and job opportunities owing to the proximity to Saltlake sector V attracted buyers for premium apartments as well as affordable homes in Rajarhat. Superb connectivity through proposed metro, bridges, roads and close distance to the airport is another reason for the flourishing demand of the area. Educational institutes, hospitals, shopping malls, retail outlets are also contributing to attracting investors.

2. Central Kolkata:

Living in the heart of the city is still preferable by many home buyers. Park circus, Topsia, Tangra along with EM Bypass Park circus Connector are the most expensive areas of the city and experience a continuous property price appreciation of more than 10%. The areas still hold great value for investments due to great connectivity. Expansion of the metro railway is in the process which will stimulate better connectivity to the airport. In addition to that, progress work on flyovers and widening of EM Bypass will smoothen the traffic in the near future. The area is no longer only a place for safe investments, but it is a destination to reap high profits.

3. Dumdum:

Located at a distance of 10kms from the centre of Kolkata, Dumdum enjoys close proximity to the domestic and international airport. The locality is well-connected to nooks and corners of the city through Ground Rail, Circular Rail, and Metro Rail as well as improvement in road infrastructure. Dum Dum has emerged as a very convenient neighbourhood, considering easy living conditions and the presence of a number of recreational amenities. Schools, hospitals and other social amenities are also making it a lucrative market to invest in.

4. Southern Bypass:

Southern Bypass in Kolkata is becoming exceedingly popular among prospective home buyers due to the enhanced connectivity, easy accessibility to the markets, hospitals, prominent malls, restaurants, multiplexes, educational institutes etc. Property prices scaling to new heights from Jadavpur to Garia, this area has evolved as the most happening destination for the home buyers. Accessibility to world-class health care facilities, parallel accessibility to Kolkata metro railways, EMU line Sealdah south section and other public modes of transport and convenience made this among the most preferred destinations in the city.

5. Joka:

Joka is one of the fastest-growing real estate locations in South-West Kolkata. Residential properties in Joka are still available in at competitive price points yet the location is witnessing large scale infrastructure developments. If you invest in a flat in Joka now, it is most likely to give good rental returns and handsome price appreciation in future. Joka covers all the major public transports in the city and it is strategically located and well connected to other prominent areas of the city. It is also home to many good educational institutes, quality health care facilities and modern amenities and offers a relatively pollution-free environment.

Cheap Places in the Philippines to Buy a House and Lot

One thing that any would-be house owner in the Philippines thinks about is affordability. Face it, finding the ideal house and lot you would want to be investing in would mean finding a location that is also affordable or at least well within the budget you have set for yourself. Whether it's a house and lot for sale in Cavite or somewhere else in the Philippines, your best decision will only be as good as the amount of research and preparation you have put in to find the right location.

To help you in your search for a place to call your own, here are some places in the Philippines you would do well to look for a house and lot you can afford.

Paranaque 

To start, Paranaque is one of your best options if you want a cheap yet upscale area within Metro Manila. Paranaque has a good balance of amenities and tranquility because of the relatively low infrastructure level in the many districts that can be found here. Despite that, your needs will surely be met because the city is ever-developing. You are looking at different kinds of decent residential properties that don’t exceed the PHP 10 million mark. Whether it’s a multiple-story house with different bedrooms or a 2-3 bedroom bungalow, you can definitely find the ideal dwelling in Paranaque.

If you that has piqued your interest, then consider looking at Betterliving Subdivision first. It is ranked number 1 in terms of affordable districts in the whole Metro Manila, while still providing classy neighborhoods. Factor in the continuous development of the area, then it really is no mystery as to why families are settling down in Betterliving and Paranaque City in general.

Cavite

Moving a short hop, skip, and a jump away from the Metro, a house and lot for sale in Cavite can be the key to your residential dreams. While the aforementioned Paranaque City is on the south side of Metro Manila, Cavite is a province that is further south.

Because it is outside of Manila, prices are naturally much lower in terms of real estate. Aside from that, being away from the hustle and bustle of the city means a more private and quiet residential experience without the compromise of safety. However, living in Cavite doesn’t mean you can’t be part of the city life you may or may have been accustomed to. Metro Manila is just a couple of hours (or way less) away, so you still won’t be missing anything.

Valenzuela

Next up is Valenzuela City. If you really can’t stand the thought of being more than an hour away from the exciting ruckus of metro city-living, then Valenzuela is your next best option. It draws many parallels with Paranaque in that they are both 1st-class, highly urbanized cities that have a great number of residential districts. The only difference is in their position within Metro Manila in terms of cardinal positions. If Paranaque is in the south, then Valenzuela is in the north.

Just like Paranaque, PHP 10 million seems to be the upper limit of the majority of properties in the area — making it the 2nd most budget-friendly city in the whole of Metro Manila. If you consider yourself more attuned to the north, then finding a dwelling in Valenzuela could be the best decision you can make.

Davao

Luzon and Metro Manila, in particular, may be the go-to in terms of attractive places to live in the Philippines. However, there are also places in the other island groups in the Philippines that are great for a house and lot purchase. One such place can be found in Mindanao, Davao City.

Compared to other cities outside of Luzon such as Cebu City and Cagayan de Oro, Davao still has cheap options for housing and residential properties. Davao boasts great weather, economic progress, peace and safety, and its fair share of tourist attractions. There is also an abundance in multicultural exchanges and traditions if you appreciate that kind of experience. If you are looking for a wholly different lifestyle, while at the same time keeping things affordable, then Davao is one of your best bets for a house and lot purchase. 

Key Takeaway

Aside from the places and cities mentioned above, the Philippines has so much more to offer in terms of a cheap or affordable living experience. The key to finding such a place is doing meticulous and diligent research as well as an open mind. If it means finding the ideal living situation for you or your family, then the endeavor deserves no less than that.

5 Ways You Can Reuse Plastic Shopping Bags

When shopping, sometimes we forget to bring our own recyclable bags. When this happens, we tend to accumulate or throw away these bags. In reality products from made with plastic and plastic injection molding in China can actually save the environment when used properly. Accumulating these bags isn’t actually a bad thing if you know what you’re doing. Recycling plastic bags can be easy and here’s how you can do it on your own.

Garbage Can Lining

Upcycling is a great way to make use of your accumulated trash bags. Plastic bags come in all shapes and sizes. It can fit a number of trashcans in your home. It’s expensive to buy trash bags in bulk and you’re not really contributing to saving the environment with these. Reusing your trashbags as lining for your garbage can save you a lot of money compared to buying trash bags in bulk.

Scooping Pet Waste

When you’re out and about with your precious pets, they’re bound to take a poop in some obscure corner. Don’t worry about this. Just grab some extra plastic shopping bags and use that to clean up after your pet. Some companies sell pet cleanup bags but you don’t need to use that when you have excess shopping bags at home.

Easy Showerhead Cleaning

Showerheads can accumulate minerals and hard water around it. It can be a bit of a challenge to remove on your own without the necessary materials. Instead of buying expensive chemicals, try opting for natural methods instead. A showerhead wrapped in white vinegar can melt off that excess grime, minerals, and hard water. You can do this by grabbing a plastic shopping bag and filling it with white vinegar. Then carefully wrap or dip the showerhead in it. You can use a bowl at home to stabilize it if the showerhead is removable. Leave it overnight in the vinegar and use an old toothbrush to remove excess scum and mildew. Remember to turn it on to remove the sour vinegar smell.

Protect Shipped Products

Shipping can be heavy. It can damage the items you’re planning to ship because of the rough conditions it goes through. Instead of buying bubble wrap and styrofoam peanuts, plastic shopping bags can be used as a cost-effective alternative to protect your shipment. Fragile items can be protected while you save some coin on the packaging. It’s a win-win situation for you when you upcycle plastic shopping bags for this purpose.

Plastic Bags For Plants

There are so many ways to use your plastic shopping bags for your plants. You can create a miniature greenhouse. You can protect plants against frost. It can also be used to help you plant potatoes.

For the miniature greenhouse, you can create the ideal conditions for your plants to help them thrive. Upcycle a plastic shopping bag with wire coat hangers. Create 2 u-shaped hoops with the hangers-on either side of a properly watered potted plant and cover it with the plastic bag. Tie the handles or tuck the edges of the plastic bag underneath the pot to create the ideal warm, moist, mini greenhouse your plants will surely appreciate.

If you live in cold climates, shopping bags can protect your plants from frost. If it’s that time of the year, your potted plants can use an extra layer of protection. This can be done easily by placing the plastic shopping bag over the potted plant and tucking the edges away to keep it secure. Like the miniature greenhouse, you create a warm environment that can protect your plants from the killer frost.

Potatoes in plastic bags? Who knew you can do it so easily. The type of bag you should pick for this project should be thick and sturdy. This allows you to easily grow potatoes in the plastic shopping bags instead of transplanting it in the garden. Fill your plastic bag with a mix of soil and compost. It should be filled up a couple of inches to accommodate your potatoes. Plant your seeds and cover it with more soil and compost. It should be an even mix since this is a root crop. Make sure to keep the soil moist. Once the soil is at the brim and the flowers are nearly gone, dump out the compost and soil. Now you’ve grown your own potatoes with just upcycling with your plastic shopping bags.

Key Takeaway

In this age, it’s important to practice environmentally friendly habits. Plastic bags and products made from plastic injection molding can be used in a number of ways to make sure that your environment is protected and preserved. The steps you take with these products should positively impact the environment. It can be difficult at first since we’re inclined to throw away the products once it’s done but it’s important to preserve mother nature with good practices.