Comments on: Dhaka — vote on where Mikey should live

By: Kari

Kari — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 02:12:02 +0000

Hey Mikey! Been following your blog for a few weeks. My husband and I will be staying in Dhaka for about 6 weeks (late Oct-early Dec). We’re Americans living in the Netherlands. My husband is a water engineering student and will be doing research in Dhaka, and I’m a student of Phil and Religion/writer. Any leads on those house-sits you mentioned? If not, can you recommend any guest houses? We’re totally open to roughing it, but I need a decent internet connection as I’m currently in online courses. Thanks!

By: Mikey Leung

Mikey Leung — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 10:32:38 +0000

Thanks for all your suggestions guys… as it turns out I’ve found a low-priced housesit in Gulshan that was pretty hard to turn down! A massive apartment at a decent price…

and just today somebody else contacted me about another house sit… it seems these are around if you are willing to be migratory and people get to know you.

By: Shawn A

Shawn A — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 09:46:27 +0000

Hey Mikey!

Thanks for commenting on my blog – I’ve blogrolled you and linked to your site.

I’ve been looking around for places to rent and buy in Dhaka myself (on behalf of my parents who want to have a place to stay when they visit other than at the relatives). I’m rather fond of Baridhara (not Baridhara DOHS – although that was pretty good too from what I saw when I was there). Next I would say Gulshan. But those are both expat heavy locations.

And yeah, the air is MUCH better in Dhaka than it was before the CNGs. My God – I just choke when I remember it. It wasn’t just that I wasn’t used to it – seeing passengers on Rickshaws with a cloth to cover their mouth (or a mask) was a common site then. When we would come visit from abroad – we would use the A/C in a car in the hopes that it would make the air slightly more breathable. Walking on the streets would be unthinkable – but I do so now without a second thought.

Oh and Rezwan is right – the security zones for expats do have its benefits. During the curfews I was able to have strolls in the Baridhara diplomatic zone as I was staying with a relative who lived there. Although once I got to the edge of the security zone I got a bit of grief for carrying my camera (as to be expected I suppose).

By: Julie Chamberlain

Julie Chamberlain — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 06:07:03 +0000

yeesh. you have probably made a decision by now and i will be interested to hear what it is. you know as a non-’bubble’-ite, I’m biased — and the bias is towards staying out of the bubble. Rezwan’s post above says it all I think ‘you miss the yadda yadda yadda of REAL DHAKA.’
that said, if i had to commute everyday i might lose my mind. or become a master of meditation…
in short, i have zero help to offer!

By: Rezwan

Rezwan — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 06:33:53 +0000

Hi Mikey! I think the decision to live in a place depends on some points like how it is close to your workplace, neighborhood, proximity of groceries, infrastructures etc.

For example if you have office near Motijheel and you have to commute to Gulshan/Banani everyday then the long traffic jams will be boring. And for you security may be an important issue. Because at the time of political disturbances the diplomatic zones have added securities. I have read expat blogs that even at the time of curfew they could walk around their houses without problem.

For me the best place would be Dhanmondi or Eskaton. But I think Old DOHS/Banani is the perfect place for expats in Bangladesh for many reasons. Only you have disadvantage like the rent is way high, lack of public transport and you miss the buzz, noise, flavor and crowd of real Dhaka.

However for your bed and breakfast initiative a quieter and secured place like Old DOHS/Banani is the best option me thinks.