Andheri East VS Andheri West: Which Is a Better Investment Option?

"Oh, East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet" - Rudyard Kipling.
When Kipling said there is no meeting point for the east and west, we are sure he did not have Andheri in mind. However, the subtle rivalry between the two neighbourhoods in one of Mumbai's poshest suburbs is a fact that none of us can deny. As an investor, though, you may want to do some research and compare the two before you buy real estate. So here are some points to consider before you look for your dream 2BHK flat in Andheri.

Why pick Andheri?

Take your pick: glamour, entertainment, enterprise, social infrastructure, urban development, and commerce. Whichever of these you are looking for, Andheri has it. While Andheri East and Andheri West may individually have their own band of loyalists, you will be hard-pressed to find a Mumbaikar who does not wish to move into one of the many gated communities or burgeoning projects in the suburb. Andheri is the melting pot of Mumbai; it showcases the very best that the city has to offer, and the rate of property appreciation makes it a real estate investor's dream come true.

Andheri East Has It Going

Andheri, as a whole, boasts of excellent connectivity. It is located in the very heart of Mumbai. Andheri East, in particular, has crystalised as one of the most dynamic commercial and residential markets of the city. As one of Maximum City's suburban business districts, Andheri East has a 'Business As Usual' air to it. Small, medium and large businesses from nearly every sector are setting up shop here.

Andheri East is both upscale and sophisticated at the same time. Residential projects in this neighbourhood are just to the liking of young professionals, artists, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. The neighbourhood is connected through a network of arterial and link roads, including the NH8. The upcoming metro station in Andheri East will link Lines 7 and 7A. 

The greatest advantage that Andheri East enjoys, though, is that the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is located here. This is also the reason some of Mumbai's top hotels, such as Radisson Blu Mumbai International Airport, The Lalit Mumbai, Lemon Tree Premier Mumbai, the Goldfinch Hotel, and The Leela Mumbai, are located here. Businessmen, administrators, politicians, and scientists fly in and hold international conferences and symposiums in these.

Andheri East is dotted with well-designed, spacious, and luxurious projects with all the modern amenities you want. And real estate prices are relatively lower than in Andheri West.

Andheri West – Glitz, Glamour, And More

Andheri West is definitely the more expensive, upscale, and glamorous part of the suburb. Home to several movie stars, celebrities, and socialites, this neighbourhood has all the glitzy bars, clubs, and entertainment centres you can want. It is the melting pot of international cultures and cuisines, and Andheri West highlights Mumbai's uber-urban, international outlook. 

While Film City is located in Goregaon, most Bollywood production houses have offices, studios, and technical workshops in Andheri East. Several news and media houses are also headquartered in this neighbourhood, giving it a very dynamic and hip vibe. With glitz and glamour ruling the roost, can shopping be far behind? The Infiniti Mall in Andheri West is the favourite of every fashion-forward Mumbaikar, and the Mega Mall in Oshiwara is a close second. Apart from these, Andheri West residents swear by the high-street fashion outlets in Lokhandwala and Versova and even the street markets of the neighbourhood.

The JVLR (Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road), the WEH (Western Express Highway), and the Andheri-Kurla Road connect Andheri West with the rest of Mumbai. The Andheri Railway Station, located in the west, serves both the Western and Harbour Lines of the suburban network. The neighbourhood is well connected with commercial hubs such as the BKC (Bandra – Kurla Complex) and SEEPZ Special Economic Zone.

Property prices in Andheri West are higher than in Andheri East, but it is the highly developed social infrastructure that makes it a worthy investment. Apart from the dining and shopping options, top hospitals, such as the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, are located here.

Andheri East Vs Andheri West – Which is right for you?

Andheri West is an older, more settled residential neighbourhood in the suburb. It boasts luxury living and projects with top-of-the-line amenities. Andheri East, on the other hand, has been a trade and commerce hub that has witnessed a boom in demand for housing over the past few years. Both have caught the interest of top developers in Mumbai. 

So if you are planning to buy a 2 BHK flat in Andheri, it is important to consider other factors, such as specific projects from top-rated developers, as both neighbourhoods offer similar advantages. While Kypling may not agree, the east and the west do meet in Andheri, making it an irresistible real estate destination.