Rs 30,000 rent for a cramped Mumbai flat vs free 2 BHK: Doctor reveals why she left the city for a village

For many people, leaving Mumbai is almost unimaginable. The city represents ambition, opportunities and dreams for millions. But for Dr Garima Chauhan, an anesthesiologist and a Mumbaikar herself, the decision to move away was not about giving up on her dreams. It was about choosing a lifestyle that offered more time, comfort and balance.

Dr Chauhan recently shared a video on social media titled “Why did I leave Mumbai, first-generation doctor for a small town?” where she explained why she moved from India’s financial capital to a village despite having deep emotional ties to the city.

From crowded trains to a hospital vehicle

Dr Chauhan said many people often ask her why she left Mumbai when she was born and raised there. Sharing a glimpse of her current life, she explained that she had just returned from work in a car provided by the hospital where she is employed. She added that in case of an emergency, the hospital vehicle is sent to pick her up, making her commute significantly easier.


She then compared this with her earlier routine in Mumbai, where reaching work meant waking up early, boarding an overcrowded local train and standing throughout the journey. The situation became even more stressful when unexpected delays affected her salary. Dr Chauhan recalled that even a delay could lead to deductions at her previous workplace.

According to her, this exhausting daily commute and work pressure became one of the biggest reasons behind her decision to move away from Mumbai.

A Rs 30,000 rental home vs a free 2 BHK

Dr Chauhan also spoke about the difference in living conditions after the move. During her time in Mumbai, she lived with her husband in a cramped rented apartment that cost them Rs 30,000 every month. She described the home as a small, matchbox-sized space.

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A post shared by Dr Garima Chauhan (@garimachauhan09)

In contrast, her current role provides her with a spacious 2 BHK apartment with two balconies at no cost. The change, according to her, was not just about housing. It represented a shift towards a lifestyle with more breathing space and less daily stress.

Why she chose a smaller town over Mumbai

In her social media caption, Dr Chauhan admitted that leaving Mumbai was one of the hardest decisions she had ever made. She wrote that Mumbai is her home, where her family lives, and that a part of her heart will always belong to the city. However, after six months in her new life, she said she understood why she made that choice.

Dr Chauhan reflected that success is not always about living in the biggest city or following the path everyone expects. Sometimes, she said, success means choosing a life that provides peace, time and balance.

Choosing personal happiness over expectations

Dr Chauhan's story highlights a growing conversation around what success truly means. For some, it may mean chasing opportunities in a major city. For others, it may mean moving away from the hustle and choosing a slower, more balanced life. Her message was simple: people should choose the life they genuinely want rather than the one society expects them to follow.

She ended her post by asking others whether they would ever leave their dream city for a better quality of life.