Posh Areas in Kolkata: A Comprehensive Guide

This guide explores the top 10 posh areas in Kolkata, a city known for its colonial architecture and vibrant culture. These areas blend historic charm with modern amenities, reflecting Kolkata’s rapid residential development.;

What is a Posh Area?

A posh area is a neighbourhood or locality that is considered fancy or upscale. These areas typically have high-quality amenities, such as luxurious housing, upscale shopping centres, fine dining restaurants, and well-maintained parks. Posh areas are often associated with wealth, prestige, and a high standard of living, attracting affluent residents and businesses.

Top 10 Posh Areas in Kolkata

Alipore

Alipore, considered to be one of Kolkata’s most posh neighbourhoods, features India’s largest zoo and The National Library of India. With its rich history reflected in its old bungalows and Victorian houses, it’s a haven for top bureaucrats and business tycoons.;

Key junctions in the locality include Burdwan Road, New Road, and the Alipore Railway Station. Loyola High School and Woodland Multispeciality Hospital cater to residents’ needs. Major companies like Wipro and TCS have a presence here. Average property prices hover around Rs. 13,850 per sqft, making it a prime real estate destination.

New Alipore

New Alipore is an upscale neighbourhood known for its diverse community and sense of unity. It offers excellent connectivity with nearby areas like Buroshibtalla, Chetla, Raja Santosh Road, and BL Saha Road.

Projects like Merlin Elements and Srijan Natura add to its appeal. Property prices hover around Rs. 7,500 per sqft, and the average 2 BHK rents range from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000 monthly. Its blend of culture, convenience, and upscale living make New Alipore a sought-after location in south Kolkata.

Ballygunge

Ballygunge, an upscale Kolkata neighbourhood, has a vibrant atmosphere with renowned restaurants like 6 Ballygunge Place and Serafina, alongside cosy cafes like Uns Cafe & Dining. Its average property price stands at Rs. 14,497 per sqft. Furthermore, it is surrounded by attractions which include Birla Mandir and bustling markets like Kasba and Gariahat.;

Key infrastructure highlights include prominent educational institutions like Kendriya Vidyalaya and notable healthcare facilities such as Fortis Hospital. The area enjoys seamless connectivity via AJC Bose Road and easy access to the metro from Rabindra Sadan station, which is only 3 km away. Luxury projects like Siddha Nirvana are known to meet modern life standards.

New Town

New Town is a prime spot known for its Western-style architecture. New Town secured the 8th position among India’s smartest cities. Properties here start at around Rs. 50 Lakh and are mainly favoured by NRIs. Major projects like DTC Capital City, Merlin Rise, and Purti Aroma contribute to the area’s allure. With modern infrastructure and attractions like shopping centres and parks, it’s a top choice for those seeking upscale living.

Salt Lake (Bidhannagar)

Salt Lake, also known as Bidhannagar, is a well-planned neighbourhood in Kolkata, admired for its cleanliness and greenery. Divided into blocks, each with its own amenities like playgrounds and markets, it’s a popular residential choice thanks to its vicinity to Kolkata airport.;

With multinational corporations headquartered here, Salt Lake boasts attractions like Nicco Park and Salt Lake Central Park. Infrastructure includes top-notch schools, hospitals, and malls like the City Center. Notable projects like Merlin 5th Avenue and Merlin the Fourth enhance its allure. Property prices average around Rs. 7,709 per sqft.

Park Street

Park Street boasts a variety of attractions, with an average property price of Rs. 13,688 per sqft, making it one of the upscale areas in the city. Noteworthy eateries in this vicinity include Flurys, Moulin Rouge, and Tricas, all of which are historic establishments predating independence.

Its vibrant atmosphere during festivals like Diwali and Christmas further enhances its allure. Additionally, with a bustling nightlife, Park Street is home to numerous clubs and bars. Its strategic central location connecting it to Park Circus and Esplanade further adds to its appeal.

Bhowanipore

Bhowanipore, located in southern Kolkata, is renowned as the city’s entertainment hub. The area boasts top-notch amenities such as Anandalok Hospital, schools, and markets. Notable residents include Subash Chandra Bose and Satyajit Ray.;

With excellent connectivity to all parts of the city via Harish Mukherjee Road and the Netaji Bhavan metro station, Bhowanipore offers a mix of beautiful bungalows, villas, and modern apartments. Key attractions include renowned restaurants like Lazeez, Bijoli Grill, and Balwant Singh Dhaba. The average property price stands at Rs. 12,763 per sqft.

Gariahat

Gariahat offers a vibrant blend of residential and commercial areas. The key attractions include the Gariahat flyover, featuring a chess-playing arena, and the Gariahat market (renowned for its saree retail outlets) adds to the allure of the area. It benefits from proximity to vital transportation hubs like Kalighat metro station and Ballygunge Junction railway station.;

Notable educational institutions in the area include Ballygunge Shiksha Sadan School and South Point School. With a plethora of dining options available, average property prices stand at around Rs. 10,778 per sqft.

Tollygunge

Tollygunge, a South Kolkata hub, thrives as a nucleus of the Bengali film industry, Tollywood. With a blend of towering apartments and cosy homes, it’s renowned for its metro and suburban rail network connectivity. Notable projects like Belani Sanctuary and Merlin Avana enhance its upscale aura. Featuring lush greenery and modern amenities, it’s a posh locale. Property rates hover around Rs. 11,500 per sqft.

EM Bypass

EM Bypass is becoming Kolkata’s luxury living hub with ongoing flat constructions. It’s a sought-after location with easy access to Kasba and Rajarhat New Town. The area boasts top hospitals like Peerless and Fortis, with a square feet rate of around Rs. 7,000. Connectivity to schools, colleges, and the airport makes it ideal for families. EM Bypass is poised to be Kolkata’s prime residential choice in the coming years.

Things to Know Before Moving to Posh Areas in Kolkata

Cost of Living in Kolkata

The cost of living depends on various factors, such as family size and lifestyle choices. For a family residing in a 2 BHK apartment, accommodation, food and utility expenses, including electricity, water, and garbage disposal, amount to around Rs. 40,000. The average price of movie tickets is about Rs. 290, while the monthly membership fee for a fitness club is around Rs. 1,500.

Accommodation in Kolkata

In posh areas of Kolkata, rental accommodation commands higher prices compared to central areas and parts of North Kolkata. A 2-bedroom apartment suitable for a family typically costs between Rs. 12,000 and Rs. 30,000, varying depending on the specific location.

Transportation in Kolkata

Kolkata boasts a well-developed transportation network comprising government and private buses, a clean and efficient Metro railway, modern taxi services such as Uber and Ola, traditional trams, and electronic rickshaws. Monthly transport expenses can be limited to Rs. 1,500.

The Cultural Heritage in Kolkata

Kolkata’s cultural heritage is rich and diverse, with the southern region embodying a modern metropolitan lifestyle and the north boasting colonial architecture. Traditional attire like sarees and dhoti-punjabis are popular, especially during festivals like Durgapuja and Rabindra Jayanti.

The Weather in Kolkata

Kolkata experiences a tropical climate with extreme humidity, particularly until October. Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures reaching 45 degrees Celsius, while the rainy season sees heavy showers leading to waterlogging. Winters are short and ideal for exploring the city, with temperatures cooling down.

Foods and Restaurants in Kolkata

Kolkata is renowned for its mouth-watering street foods like fuchka, kathi roll, and special mutton biryani, alongside a plethora of restaurants offering diverse cuisines. Bengali cuisine is particularly celebrated, with restaurants like Bhahohori Manna and Ami Bangali, located in posh areas, offering authentic dishes.

Conclusion

What is a posh area?

A posh area is a fancy neighbourhood offering luxurious housing, upscale shopping, fine dining, and well-kept parks. It symbolises wealth and attracts affluent residents and businesses.

Top 10 posh areas in Kolkata

• Alipore
• New Alipore
• Ballygunge
• Rajarhat New Town
• Salt Lake (Bidhannagar)
• Park Street
• Bhowanipore
• Gariahat
• Tollygunge
• EM Bypass

Things to know before moving to posh areas in Kolkata

• Cost of living in Kolkata
• Accommodation in Kolkata
• Transportation in Kolkata
• The cultural heritage in Kolkata
• The weather in Kolkata
• Foods and restaurants in Kolkata