Experience in Islamabad, Pakistan by Rizwan

What is it like to live in Islamabad? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Islamabad is well planned and srounded by natural beauty in the form of "Margla Hills". its capital and most modern city of Pakistan.

Wondering about how is it to live in Islamabad is totally valid because it is so much different than the rest of Pakistan. I have lived in Islamabad since 2009. Its only when I moved from Gujrat and I realized how different my perspective was, even from people in Rawalpindi which is an adjacent city to Islamabad. The reasons for this skewed perspective are the following.

Generally people living in Islamabad are very well off, at least from Pakistani standards. Even if they are not financially well off they still have a stable income from government jobs or if they are into some business their customers do have some disposable income.

Source

Going to markets is not a glamorous experience in Islamabad like it is in Lahore or Karachi. The markets there are quite dull and boring. Islamabad is divided into planned sectors and every sector/sub-sector has its own small market. Business outlet can only be opened in one of those markets which puts a limit on the overall size of every market. There can only be X number of shops in a market because of size limitations therefore it never grows up into a big shopping center like Anar Kali Lahore or Tariq Road Karachi. Markets are well planned with ample parking spaces available.

Because people are generally well off and parking is available everywhere, cars are an integral part of the city culture. Whether you are going to the office, dropping your children to school or need to pick up bread from the local market you get in your car and drive away.

The suburbs in Islamabad are the same everywhere. The size of the houses could be different but the shape and look and feel of the surrounding will be more or less the same. From I-8, to G sector going all the way to F-11, Islamabad is the same. Everyone pretty much goes to Blue Area or the surroundings for work. There are some offices in F-7 and F-6 areas as well but it is pretty close to Blue Area.

The lifestyle of the people living there is very similar. All children you know would be going to school and have similar plans. Everyone wants to have a professional degree and have a job. No one wants to go abroad for earning and living. The quality of life in Islamabad is comparable to the life in western countries (it might not be as good as its there but its definitely not that bad). Though recently the electricity shortage has caused some problems.

The city closes around 5/6 in the evening. You don't find most shopping centers opened after that time except the restaurants and hotels. Peer Sohawa is the most popular spot to hang around after 8 PM which has got a restaurant or two established now. Everyone knows about Monal and admires it.

To sum it up, there is no doubt that you get a very skewed perspective of life in Pakistan if you live in Islamabad. The life is so homogeneous and monotonous in that city that you believe that is how it is everywhere.

What is the student lifestyle like in Islamabad?

student accommodation in Islamabad is a bit expensive as compared to other Pakistani cities where students can get very cheap accommodation like in Lahore.

How much does it cost to live in Islamabad?

A student can get accommodation (in private hostels) in at the rate of 6500 Rs per month for 1 person including electricity, internet and 1 time meal.

But in public universities like "International Islamic University Islamabad" or "Quad e Azam University Islamabad" student accomudation is at very low cost (2000 Rs. per month).

To sum it up, The answer would depend on what do you mean by living, or, what lifestyle you would like to maintain. It will also depend on whether you would only like to support yourself or you have a small / large family to support as well?

I will answer the question based on my lifestyle (which I assume to be ranging between average to above average as compared to people living in Islamabad), with a small family: a wife, a baby, and parents:

1. House rent: 25k to 40k
2. Utilities: 10k to 18k
3. Groceries: 15k to 20k
4. Transportation (including car maintenance, will depend on you commute distance): 12k to 18k
5. Dining and entertainment: 6k to 10k
6. House keeping: 5k to 15k
7. Personal pocket money: 6k to 12k
8. Wife pocket money: 12k to 18k
9. Baby's items: 4k to 8k
10. Parents pocket money: 20k to 30k
11. Hospitalization and medicines (generally covered by your office): 3k to 9k

That makes up a total of: 118k to 198k

Some costs can easily be reduced or increased i. e.

Do not much use air-conditioning in summers and much geysers in winter then utilities: 5k to 8k

You cant live without air-conditioning and non one wants to share their rooms: 15k to 25k

Same would be the case with other expense. Hope this helps.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Islamabad? Is there any advice you can give?

Working women and students students of Islamabad are facing hardship due to lack of accommodation facilities and over-saturated private hostels with poor hygienic conditions and high rents. Working women and students, hailing from different parts of the country, have to encounter first major challenge of finding a suitable place at a reasonable rate with at least having basic living facilities. Asima, who came to Islamabad from Southern Punjab for a job tald me, she is living in Islamabad for last two years and during this time she has changed a dozen of hostel in search of a tension free place. She sad, “I found it a gigantic task to find a comfortable place for living”, adding that lack of appropriate living places also create many physiological, cultural and social problems for working women. “Living in hostel, one has to adjust in changed atmosphere and find hosts of problems like non cooperative roommates, unhygienic food and substandard accommodation”, said Nazia Mehmoob student of private law college. She said that it was a challenging task to adjust with roommates with different temperament and cultural background. “However, I have learnt how to accommodate such people”, she added. Two other students, Rukhsana Naz and Kiran said they experienced a lot about society and how to make adjustment with different people while living in hostel. “There are lot of problems, a working lady faces in a male-dominated society while living alone in a new city, ” Rukhssana said. Many girls also complained about lack of recreational facilities like television, library, computer, games, playing grounds in hostels. “Mostly a small room where only one bed can be placed is filled by three floor beds while no cupboards are provided to girls”, Salma a cellular company employee complained. Naseema and Sabahat, two students of a private university stated that they live in small overcrowded cubicles because they have no other option. They said rents of private working women hostels vary within twin cities. They range between Rs 5, 500 and Rs 10000 but the problems are same everywhere.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Islamabad may be famous for the peace and quiet, surrounding hills to escape to, modern planned infrastructures, huge architectural masterpieces, both existing and in the making and of course exceptionally good looking citizens but when it comes to food the bigger and more happening cities of the country defame us with a lack of ‘fooding’ choices and limited taste buds. What they don’t get is that any person born and bred within the boundaries of the country has an inborn attachment to food and we are no different.

Islamabad is technically not a part of any province so we sort of have a little bit of everything. For the time being I’m talking food people not designer outlets. Islamabad houses all provincialities and various nationalities so yes they need to be catered to. Being the capital, famous fast food chains ultimately reach this otherwise tiny city and they are given too warm a welcome by us citizens. Domino’s and Nando’s are recent recruits and their waiting lines go across roads. Fast food is always a good option to catch a quick bite or a hurried rendezvous, nothing fancy.

Speaking of ‘rendezvous’, that place would qualify as fancy. That whole circle actually. Present in the heart of F-7 the ‘circle’ was initially based on Hotspotalone, the sole decent ice cream provider for miles. In came Gelato to share the glory and the semi-Italian Olive Garden. Rendezvous andCivil Junction became and still are famous sheesha and scenery outlets; the type of scenery that has nothing to do with plants and trees if you know what I mean.

These places count for such times when proper meal is not really desired; maybe just a frothy cappuccino, an icy shake, a slice of cheese cake. There’s ‘Gloria Jeans’ for coffee and chocolate, ‘Masooms’ for that slice of cheese cake and ‘Espresso Lounge’ for a wider variety of desserts and beverages.

Interested in real scenery? Drive up to Daman -e- koh or Pir Suhawa. The airy and scenic surroundings with an amazing view of the city were what they’ve always been famous for. NowCafé Lazeez and related barbeque places rule the former while Monal literally watches the whole city from its proud eyes.

Feeling the heat? Make your way to Rawal Lake which is more than just a regular water body. Rawal Lake is also one of those places whose potential was recently recognized and put to good use. The ‘Lake View Point’ houses a total entertainment facility coupled with the unparallel experience of a lakeside barbeque. Go a little backwards and you’ll run into the ‘Virsa Café’; this one is part of our good old Lok Virsa just like the art gallery and museum. Lok Virsa has always been fascinating with all that art and culture. Adding food to the group makes it even more awesome! ‘1969’ is also in the same neighbourhood and just like the name suggests is totally inspired by the late 60’s fashion, art and showbiz.

If it’s one of those days when you feel like trying out a lot of stuff at once rather than sticking to one place then there’s the ‘MelodyFoodPark’. Find yourself a table and order around from innumerable surrounding food stalls. Another similar place would be the famous F-7 “Gol” market. This place is more famous for savory snacks and lime sodas. The best thing about both places is that they’re quite easy on the pocket. However, the real monopolist in regard has to be ‘Munchies’. They have been in the game of dhai bhallas, gol gappas and roll parathas for quite a while and still going strong. Branches in F-10 markaz, supermarket and Blue Area ensure that no one picks an alternative when taste buds tickle for something ‘chat patta’.

And if its one of those days you do not want to do the pocket a favour then read on. If you want traditional food in a traditionally exotic environment then pay ‘Jharoka’ a visit. ‘Chinatown’ is the most recent talk of the town as never before has a Chinese place got so much attention. All well deserved of course. ‘Talking Fish’ offers both desi and continental. ‘Zefra’ is also a new artsy place that offers contemporary cuisine. Also, if you want good food in a place that got interestingly carried away with their theme then ‘Cave’ is the place.

Then there are those days when you just want to step out for a bit. You are in no mood of dressing up or putting much effort in ordering. So you make way for those good old places that take you as you are. Basic requirement: comfort food. ‘Kabuli restaurant’ tops this list. Any exam suffering period is incomplete without it; just grab a table and keep ‘em coming. ‘Papasallis’ and ‘KC Grill’ also qualify as places whose menus we know by heart, probably because they were first in the game. There’s ‘Upper deck’ too that offers similar variety with dimmer lights and quieter surroundings.

Try taking a ride down Blue Area when you’re not too blue and still can’t get enough of BBQ (hey, that rhymes). ‘BBQ Tonight’ is one of the latest offerings of this area. The best thing about it is not only that it’s all comfortable and bustling with every age group and type imaginable, it’s speedy and delicious. I mean, what else you expect when a whole restaurant’s devoted to our good ol’ BBQ alone.

Then there’s this mini food street that was made as an attempt to compete with the Lahori original but as usual dirty politics got in the way. Its more of an ‘alley’ now but strangely sweet all the same. Needless to say, the undisputed crowning glory of this place is “Savour foods”. The motto is ‘affordable tasty pulao kebab’. Yes, that is the winning combination people come to this place for. Ideal meal packages, very convenient for office folks’ lunch break.

There’s good old ‘Jahangir’ in that line as well, if a simple handi, chicken tikka and kebabs are what you’re looking for. To be honest, such restaurants populate the whole city and make traditional, simple basics that have no parallel with fancy places. ‘Sufi’ restaurant, ‘Lahori tikka’ and‘Usmania’ are a few of many names. Another personal fave of mine is ‘Lahore Restaurant’ that specializes in breakfast; breakfast that has nothing to do with eggs, bread or cereal. Get the picture? No, then picture halwa and fluffy pooris, nihari and paaye. They serve insanely delicious lassi too!

Honestly the list can go on and on because there are so many small and extraordinary places now open all over Islamabad. ALL of them deserve a review and a review they shall get. Call this one a kind of list with narratives, a mini map that intersects moods with choices. See how such a tiny city caters to food lovers in every nook and cranny! Kind of long I know but like I said, “all for the love of food”!

What places would you recommend visiting in Islamabad?

Margla Hills (Hiking tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Faisal Masjid, Pakistan Monument, The Monal, Shakr parian, Lok Virsa Lake view Park, Damn-e-Koh, Said pur Village, Pir Sohawa, Pak-China Friendship Centre, Rawal Lake, Islamabad Zoo, National Herbarium Islamabad, Shahdara Garde, Centaurus, National Museum of Natural History, Neela Saandh, Nilan Bhotu.

Is it good to eat out in Islamabad? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

yes, its very easy and cultural to eat out. some points are Savor Foods, Blue Area, Hardies, Tehzeeb, The monal resturant (my favorite place at hill point), super market, jinah super Market, food street, Kabul Resturant, Chaaye Khana, Mocca Cafew, Haredees, Street 1 Cafe, Burning Brownie, Khavia Resturant, Roasters Coffe House and Grill, Andaaz, Pizza Originale, HOWDY Islamabad, Habibi.

Is the nightlife good in Islamabad? Where is good to go?

Life in Islamabad is full of its charms.. Usually people prefer to go out after the sunset.. When i go out wid my friends, i usually come earlier because of the timing restrictions(10pm-5am) in our hostel. I think 7-11pm are the peak hours in Islamabad. There are some students who use to wander in islamabad the whole night during weekends and its quite safe there. The markets close late at night and i think you can find any thing you want after 12am upto 2-3am because after 1am shops start closing.

And if you've got company, there's so much fun. The environment here is totally different from Lahore and Karachi. summing it up, night life in is very quite and peaceful. only few points remain open till mid night like Blue area, Jinah super Market, food street etc

What advice would you give future students heading to Islamabad?

you are welcome to Islamabad. Its so peaceful city. Transportation in Islamabad is costly so if you are planning to shift in Islamabad for long time try to arrange your own motorcycle, or car etc.