A Bengaluru professional’s recent comments about life in the city have sparked a discussion among social media users. His take is centred on a simple question that many salaried workers can relate to: does a good salary always feel like a good salary once you start living in an expensive city?Shivank Goel, a content creator and product manager at an MNC in Bengaluru, shared his views in an Instagram video. He spoke about the way he experiences the city as a working professional and why he believes income plays a major role in deciding whether Bengaluru is affordable.
His advice for salaried professionals
Goel’s message was direct. He said people earning less than ₹1 lakh a month should not come to Bengaluru.Explaining his view, he spoke about the way people spend their free time in the city, particularly on cafes, events and hobbies.“If your salary is less than 1 lakh, you shouldn’t come to Bangalore. Because the definition of fun here is overspending and cafe culture. Every event is ticketed, and every hobby is a subscription,” he said.
‘12 LPA feels like 4 LPA’
Goel then compared the actual experience of earning a salary with the amount suggested by the annual package.“The city is so commercialized that a 12 LPA salary feels like 4 LPA, and stepping out of your home is just one long bill,” he added.He also raised the issue of rental costs, saying that a ₹2 lakh security deposit can be considered normal when renting a home in Bengaluru.Travel was another expense he mentioned.“Paying a ₹2 lakh security deposit is normal without anyone questioning it, as is paying ₹600 for a 5 km cab ride where you spend an hour stuck in traffic,” Goel noted.
Why he brought up Cubbon Park
Goel also responded to the idea of using public spaces as an alternative to paid entertainment.He specifically mentioned Cubbon Park, saying that visiting the popular Bengaluru spot is not always a practical option for him because of the time involved.“Don’t tell me to go to Cubbon Park, because that takes planning a day in advance and 4 hours out of my life,” he said.He argued that Bengaluru’s structural problems should be addressed instead of blaming migrants for them.
Social media reacts
The video received different responses from viewers. Some agreed with the concerns around spending, while others felt that Bengaluru can be enjoyed without paying for everything.“It’s a demand supply problem bro, doesn’t matter which city,” one person wrote.Another viewer said the idea of fun depends on personal preferences and pointed to affordable options available in the city.“I think the definition of “fun” really depends on what you’re looking for and how you choose to experience the city,” another person said. “There are cafés and spaces where you can get food at reasonable prices, communities that host free workshops and meetups, carnivals and festivals that don’t have entry fees or feel overly commercialised.”One viewer summed up their own experience with a joke.“I come there for 10 days and i spend my monthly salary in that time,” the viewer quipped.Disclaimer: The Times of India has not independently verified the claims made in the social media post. The views expressed are those of the individuals quoted.Thumb image: Instagram
