Rs 20,000 rent, Rs 45,000 monthly expenses, quiet village life: Freelancer breaks down the real cost of living in South Goa

Picture this: Endless stretches of golden, sun-kissed sand, fringed by leaning coconut palms dancing to the rhythm of the Arabian Sea and the salty breeze slapping across your face as you whizz past colourful buildings on a scooter. If this sounds like the perfect beach escapade, then South Goa may seem like an idyllic place to call home. But beyond the postcard-worthy views, if you are eager to shift to the coastal paradise, then one question is likely to be on your mind: how much does it actually cost to live there?

Fret not, as freelancer Sejal Luthra, in one of her Instagram posts, has offered a glimpse into the financial realities of living in South Goa. Sejal, who moved to the tropical destination a few months ago, has shared a detailed breakdown of her monthly expenses, ranging from rent and groceries to electricity, Wi-Fi and dining out.

Daily essentials and domestic help cost

Sejal Luthra revealed that she has rented a 2BHK apartment for Rs 20,000 in a small village in South Goa. The freelancer, however, admitted that she got lucky with the pricing as most 1BHK apartments in North Goa come under a price range of Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000. Domestic assistance plays a significant role in her routine, with a monthly expenditure of Rs 16,000 for full-time house help.

An additional Rs 3,000 is reserved for the cook who handles the preparation of one meal a day. For daily essentials, Sejal Luthra’s grocery bill hovers around a modest Rs 5,000 per month, while exploring the scenic village lanes on a scooter remains highly economical, costing just Rs 1,200 for 3 full tank refills of petrol.

Seasonal utilities and leisure costs

Utility bills in Goa are incredibly unpredictable and heavily dependent on the weather, noted Sejal Luthra. She revealed that during the scorching summer months of April and May, heavy AC usage drives power costs up to a staggering Rs 11,000. In stark contrast, the pleasant winter months of December and January see this figure drop to a mere Rs 250.

Meanwhile, other essential utilities remain stable, with high-speed Wi-Fi costing a flat Rs 1,200 monthly and LPG for cooking averaging about Rs 200. For leisure and personal care, Sejal Luthra allocates Rs 7,000 a month to enjoy Goa’s vibrant culinary scene at local cafes and restaurants.

The sustainability challenge

An additional Rs 5,000 is dedicated to miscellaneous expenditures, covering shopping, salon visits, and home decor updates. With this, Sejal Luthra’s overall average monthly expenditure stands at Rs 45,000, exclusive of her rent. But navigating these expenses comes with a unique set of challenges due to her profession.

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A post shared by Sejal Luthra (@sage.sej)

Because her salary as a freelancer inherently fluctuates, Sejal Luthra candidly admitted that she is still actively figuring out how to balance these monthly costs with a variable income, aiming to discover how to make this dreamy, tropical lifestyle financially sustainable over the long term.