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ShoppingResidents don't seem to be prone to any particular regional ailment. Retired people find it very congenial. Chronic respiratory problems like sinusitis or asthma seem to clear up soon here. The dry plateau conditions are healthy. There are several hospitals and nursing homes, for instance Ruby Hall, Jehangir, Inlaks, Sancheti.
There are several clubs in Pune but they are rather expensive. Facilities in Pune include tennis, badminton, swimming pools, pool, and other games. Tennis/badminton courts can be booked for about Rs 30 per hour. Eating out is not really a great adventure in Pune. Neither is there a night life, really--there are no strip joints, but pubs are found. It is said the residents are a bit conservative in these matters.
The recently started pubs like 10 Downing Street and Black Cadillac are quite popular. Youth hangouts are called "katta' locally. These are usually small joints scattered in various locations.
The climate in Pune "makes for energy" and there are several opportunities to roam around the countryside. These trips are very rewarding. In fact it has become almost a craze in Pune to trek into the hills all around, and old time regulars have started grumbling about pollution by plastic bags on the hilltops.
Most of the fine arts in Pune are Marathi oriented, for instance theater. Hindustani music circles are very active - in fact among the best in India. Kathak classical dance is learnt by many students. The popular folk entertainment like Lavni, Powada and Tamasha are very entertaining and refreshingly down to earth. Marathi opera called Natya Sangeet is immensely popular and is based on Indian light classical music (hindustani) with a carnatic touch. Modern Marathi theater is advanced and progressive.
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People are mostly straightforward and sincere and work hard and have self respect. They are mostly frugal and satisfied with their lot and are NOT particularly ambitious about amassing a great deal of wealth in the shortest possible time. In short they are not on the make. On the other, hand some visitors say Pune people are "lazy". Some sections of Pune citizenry are part of legend for their cleverness and scheming, though.
The people are basically from a tough and hardy hillmen stock, slow to anger and action. There is very little crime or communal problems in Pune.
Who is it good for:
Opinions vary, but according to experienced HR persons a job in Pune for non IT professions is excellent for mature candidates above the age of 28 with a small family. Since the place is generally conservative younger people might find it a bit sedate.
The ambience is said to be particularly attractive to Marathi, Gujarati and South Indians and Bengalis in India. In the IT field Pune has a very high skill peer level so nerds would probably feel very comfortable.
People generally mind their own business, are courteous and helpful. Elderly people find it relaxing. Womenfolk are treated well and respected. There is no fake swaggering or a gender bias in Pune.
Ethnic concentrations: Pune is an unselfconscious, firmly 'Mahratti' city (they dont like the word Maharashtrian - too westernised, nor Marathi --too rural). The military camp areas show a larger proportion of North Indians. Parsees used to be found in particular areas some years ago but now they are scattered. The
Rajneesh Osho ashram area shows several nationalities and ethnic groups. The Bengali crowd organises the annual Pooja celebrations at many venues.
The IT crowd includes a fair proportion from Andhra- Karnataka and further afield, including Singaporeans and the USA.
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