For people tired of crowded cities, long commutes and the pace of urban life, moving to the mountains can sound like an ideal alternative.
But how much does it actually cost to live in a Himalayan village?
A couple living in Gazan, near Manali in Himachal Pradesh, has offered a glimpse into their monthly expenses, saying they spend around Rs. 50,000 a month while working remotely from the mountains.
Their experience provides a snapshot of one household's spending, rather than a standard cost of living for Himalayan villages.
Where Do They Live?
Divya and her partner Saurav live in Gazan, a village near Manali in Himachal Pradesh.
The couple shared details of their lifestyle in an Instagram video titled "Living in the mountains, episode 1", which showed how they manage their day-to-day expenses while working remotely.
The couple also runs a homestay and lives in a 4 BHK apartment. Divya said that people who simply want to rent a home in the area can reportedly find a 1 BHK for around Rs. 15,000, while a 2 BHK costs around Rs. 25,000.
How Much Does It Cost Them To Live In The Mountains?
According to Divya's account, the couple's monthly expenses come to roughly Rs. 50,000.
Their reported spending includes:
Rs. 10,000 on groceries
Rs. 5,000 on eating out
Around Rs. 3,000 on fuel
Around Rs. 1,000 on electricity and water combined
Around Rs. 2,500 on Wi-Fi and phone plans
Around Rs. 3,000 on mountain adventures and outings
Divya also said they generally walk to most places, which helps keep their fuel expenses relatively low.
Is Rs. 50,000 Enough To Live In The Himalayas?
There is no single answer.
The Rs. 50,000 figure reflects this couple's own reported expenses and should not be presented as the standard cost of living across the Himalayas.
Expenses can vary depending on the location, accommodation, transport needs and lifestyle.
Someone renting a smaller property and cooking most meals at home could have a very different budget. A person living in a tourist-heavy destination, travelling frequently or relying on private transport could spend considerably more.
Why Does Mountain Living Appeal To Remote Workers?
For people who can work remotely, living away from a major city can offer a different daily routine.
Instead of spending time commuting, residents can work from home while being closer to nature.
The couple's experience also highlights some of the practical advantages of their location. They say they walk to many places and make use of the surrounding landscape for their outings.
However, mountain living is not necessarily cheaper for everyone. Access to services, transport, accommodation and connectivity can vary significantly between locations.
The Cost Of Living Depends On The Lifestyle
The couple's reported Rs. 50,000 monthly budget offers an interesting look at one version of life near Manali.
But it would be misleading to use their spending as a universal figure for "the cost of living in the Himalayas".
The amount a person needs will depend on where they live, the kind of home they rent, how often they travel and how they spend their money.
For this couple, however, Rs. 50,000 a month is the reported cost of maintaining their mountain lifestyle.
And for people dreaming of swapping city life for the hills, that number may be the part of their story that gets them thinking.
Would you spend Rs. 50,000 a month to live in the mountains?
