“I Lived in Ooty for 10 Months.” How was Life there?

Last updated on May 27th, 2026 at 04:43 pm

Reading Time: 10 minutes

I had never imagined I would live in Ooty. Indeed, I went to live there for 10 months.

All this happened as I went to Ooty for the Photography and Filmmaking Diploma, which I did from Light and Life Academy, Lovedale.

Indeed, the Diploma is for 1 year, but after 10 months, time for portfolio creation.

What pushed me to Pursue a Diploma from Ooty?

I was eagerly searching for a place to enhance my skills further as I was doing Photography simultaneously while doing a Digital Marketing job for nearly 3 years.

Moreover, I was getting frustrated in the job I was involved in because I was being pressured and blamed continuously for the client satisfaction. Indeed, I did my best day and night, but that pressure continued, so I started searching to give my Photography a professional eye.

Hence, I learned about Light and Life Academy, which is in Ooty, while searching online. I further researched and found it was among the best institutes to advance in Photography in India.

When I saw the Admission page and went to apply, I realized that the admission process was over, and it’s been 2 days already.

But, still, I applied for the Admission and left over to Destiny if there was even a little chance left.

After a few days, I received an email from the Academy regarding the Interview. I believed it was in my Destiny that I was still selected for the Interview after the Admission date was gone. Everything went well, and finally, I resigned from the Job and Joined Light and Life Academy, Lovedale, Ooty.

The not-so-happening past job has uplifted me to take a big step forward.

I packed my bags and went to Ooty for a new start.

How to Reach Ooty?

Whether you’re going by Train or Plane, the nearest station and airport is Coimbatore, which is around 90km away.

You can take a taxi from Coimbatore, which would take 3-4 hours to reach Ooty and cost around Rs. 2500 – Rs. 3000.

If you plan to take a bus from Coimbatore to Ooty, it will cost roughly Rs. 100 – Rs. 110. But, the bus would become highly crowded, and if you carry luggage, you would have to adjust a lot.

My Daily Life in Ooty

When going to the Academy on the weekdays, my daily life started with waking up around 7 a.m., getting ready, and reaching the bus point, 15 minutes away from where I stayed.

Entering the Academy, and attending class, but returning home was not fixed. But, mainly till 6p.m, the bus drops most of the days. Then, to have Dinner and sleep.

I followed the routine for the first 2-3 months, then made modifications; overall, the objective remained the same.

Cost of Living in Ooty — Monthly Breakdown

A lot of people ask me how much it actually costs to live in Ooty. Here’s my honest breakdown from 10 months of living there.

Accommodation: I paid ₹5,000/month for a single room in Kil Kodappamund. That’s on the lower end — most decent rooms in Ooty town range from ₹6,000–10,000/month. Electricity and gas cylinder charges are usually added on top.

Food: My tiffin service cost ₹80–100 per meal for the first month. After that I ate from local dhabas near Charring Cross — Egg curry and Parotta was my go-to, usually under ₹80 a plate. Monthly food spend was approximately ₹3,000–4,500 depending on how often I cooked.

Transport: Almost nothing. Bus fares in Ooty are incredibly cheap — ₹7 from Ooty to Lovedale (6 km). I walked most places within 3–4 km.

Total monthly cost: Living comfortably in Ooty on a student or remote work budget — roughly ₹12,000–18,000/month all-in. That includes rent, food, transport, and occasional weekend outings.

This makes Ooty one of the more affordable hill stations to actually live in, not just visit.

Where had I stayed in Ooty?

The Academy has provided a list of accommodations, and according to the need and suitability, I have reserved a room in the Kil Kodappamund area.

Indeed, the location I had selected was far from where the Academy bus would come for a pick-up. But, the rent of that place was significantly low, the main reason I chose it.

Precisely, the rent of my room was Rs. 5000 per month; the cylinder bill would get split among the other roommates, and the electricity bill would also get added when finally paying the space rent.

From where did I Eat?

There was a kitchen where I rented a room. However, I learned a handful of items to make. So, I could make something for breakfast like an Omelet or Sevaiyaan; lunch would get covered in the Academy, and the night food would require attention.

Therefore, I took a homemade tiffin service for the first month, which the Academy recommended. The meal charges were around Rs. 80 with 4 Chapati and mixed vegetables, and in the case of Paneer, it would be Rs. 100.

Then, after a month, I started finding alternatives and eating from outside. There, I usually consume Egg curry and Parrotha almost whenever I eat from Cherring Cross. Also, that was very reasonable, equivalent to a meal Tiffin charge.

Having Parrotha was forever love!

How do I Commute?

I commuted in Ooty by Walking and taking a Bus.

I have been traveling alone, so that made me Habitual to walking. Hence, walking was never a concern for me. I used to walk to nearby places within 3-4km in Ooty, and that’s enough because I would get mainly day-to-day items within that range. Or, if I had to meet some friends who were also within that range, walking was enough.

Taking the bus seemed a little concerning because I didn’t know Tamil, and the bus conductors mainly spoke Tamil. However, I only used to say a particular location, so they understood and provided me with a ticket. For example, if I had to go to Lovedale, I would say, “Anna, one Lovedale.”—All done! Indeed, the bus journey is very reasonable; from Ooty to Lovedale bus stop, it takes around Rs. 7, which is 5-6km.

Consequently, in my 10 months in Ooty, 80% of the time, I commuted on foot and took the bus. Rest 20% when friends are there with stuff, or walking was not a choice for few, then Auto and Cab.

What did I use to do on Weekends?

On weekends, I often visit places like the Ooty Boat House, Botanical Garden, Charring Cross, etc, and also out-of-town places like Kotagiri for Photography and to see around.

Furthermore, I used to stay with friends, watch movies, do creative indoor shoots, cook yummy food, and enjoy.

Usually, I try to shoot as much as possible whenever I get time. Ultimately, that would develop my artistic eyes. So, I used to take my camera along wherever I went—whether it was a street market, garden, or anywhere in and around Ooty.

How are the People in Ooty?

People are willing in Ooty. I learned more about the people of Ooty during Photography assignments, as I needed to get Portraits and other shots of unknown people outdoors. 

Some of my friends and I used to go to a Chai shop in Lovedale, and the shop owner recognized us every time we went there. The bonding increased. Indeed, many took many photos of him, and eventually, we went on to make a Documentary on the life of Premdas, too.

You’re bound to make connections naturally when you visit a place repeatedly.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vansh Tiwari (@crossroadadventure_)

When photographing people, they have known for years that students from Light and Life Academy come to Photograph. So, they also became habitual at getting clicked. But, also, we respected people who oppose getting themselves clicked.

Whether it’s the Akka from the general store outside Blue Hills apartment for day-to-day items, Anna who takes us to the Astrophotography site and far away locations in the car, or the Auto Anna who helps take students to the BS hospital. When you get involved, you get attached.

Weather

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vansh Tiwari (@crossroadadventure_)

The weather in Ooty is inconsistent; when it remains cold in north India, it rains very heavily, and simultaneously cold in Ooty, with continuous cloud cover and thunder. It’s a beautiful feeling, and the surroundings become even more appreciable.

I insist on keeping an umbrella with you almost regularly, mainly when you’re in Ooty from October to February.

One day, when I went to shoot, it started raining, and I wasn’t carrying any Umbrella. Ultimately, I had to save myself and my camera bag. Therefore, I stood beneath a shed for hours, called Auto, and reached home with all wetness but saved my camera bag.

Indeed, there were instances when we couldn’t go outside for days because of heavy rainfall and overcast weather.

Regardless, I enjoy shooting in the slight rain but standing beneath an Umbrella.

Things to Do in Ooty on Weekends

Living in Ooty gives you access to places most tourists rush through. Here’s what I actually did on weekends:

• Kotagiri — 30 km from Ooty. Quieter, less touristy, beautiful viewpoints. This was my go-to escape from Ooty’s weekend crowd.
• Coonoor — 18 km away. Sim’s Park, Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint, and some of the best tea estates in the Nilgiris. Easily done in half a day.
• Doddabetta Peak — The highest point in the Nilgiris at 2,637 metres. On a clear morning the views stretch endlessly. Go before 9 AM before the tourist buses arrive.
• Ooty Lake and Boat House — Best visited on weekday mornings when it’s almost empty. Peaceful, photogenic, worth a slow morning.
• Pykara Falls and Lake — 20 km from Ooty. A proper half-day outing. The waterfall is more dramatic after monsoon.
• Local markets at Charring Cross — Just wandering. Fresh vegetables, local snacks, and the rhythm of everyday Ooty life. I shot some of my best street photographs here.

Is Ooty Good for Long-Term Stay?

This is the question I get asked most by people considering Ooty for a longer duration — for studies, remote work, or just a break from city life.

Honest answer: yes, with a few things to keep in mind.

What works

Ooty is calm. There’s no traffic chaos, no noise, no 3 AM city energy. If you’re someone who works better in quieter surroundings, Ooty will suit you. The weather for most of the year is pleasant — cool mornings, mild afternoons. You sleep well here.

The cost of living is genuinely low compared to Bengaluru, Delhi, or Mumbai. A comfortable life costs roughly ₹15,000–18,000/month. That’s rare for a hill station.

The photography and nature access is unmatched. Kotagiri, Coonoor, Doddabetta — all within an hour. I was shooting constantly.

What doesn’t work:

Language is a real adjustment if you don’t know Tamil. Most shopkeepers and bus conductors work with single words and pointing — you get by — but deep conversations take effort.

Ooty gets crowded during peak tourist season (April–June and October). Finding peace during those months requires going off the main roads.

My Verdict

For a semester, a few months of focused work, or a creative residency — Ooty is ideal. For a permanent base, it depends on how much city access you need.

Peak Season in Ooty

October to February marks an offseason in Ooty because it’s so cold, but people also visit that season. I used to eye the guest houses near the apartment, which became full almost daily in that bone-chilling climate.

March to July becomes unbelievable in Ooty; it seems like the entire India came to Ooty. During that season, long Traffic jam starts at 5 a.m.- 6 a.m. and go on forever. Places like the Botanical Garden and Ooty Boat House become so extensively touristy that you have to move like a snail.

Like big-city jams, it takes almost half an hour to cover 1 km.

If you’re also planning to come in this season, read, 9 Non-Touristy things to do in Ooty

Web Story

You can also read the blog summary in a web story format.

Frequently Asked Questions — Living in Ooty

– Is Ooty expensive to live in?
No. Ooty is one of the more affordable hill stations in South India for long-term stays. A comfortable life costs ₹12,000–18,000/month including rent, food, and transport.

– What is the best area to stay in Ooty?
Ooty town centre (near Charring Cross) is the most convenient. Lovedale is quieter and surrounded by tea estates. Avoid areas too far from the main bus routes if you don’t have your own vehicle.

– How is the weather in Ooty throughout the year?
October to February is the most pleasant — cool and clear. March to May gets warmer but still comfortable compared to most Indian cities. June to September is monsoon — heavy rain, lush green, but mist can disrupt outdoor plans. December and January nights can drop to 3–5°C.

– Is Ooty safe for solo living?
Yes. Ooty is a small, relatively safe town. I lived alone for 10 months and had no issues. Standard common sense applies — especially if you’re walking back late after evening outings.

– Can you work remotely from Ooty?
Yes, but confirm internet quality before committing to accommodation. Co-working spaces are limited — most people work from cafés or home. The environment is excellent for focused deep work.

Final Thoughts — Would I Live in Ooty Again?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vansh Tiwari (@crossroadadventure_)

Ten months in Ooty changed how I see photography, how I see slow living, and honestly — how I see myself.

It wasn’t always easy. The language barrier, the isolation from city life, the early months of figuring everything out alone — those were real. But Ooty gave me something most cities can’t: space to think, space to create, and mountains to walk through whenever I needed to reset.

If you’re considering Ooty for a longer stay — whether for a course, remote work, or just a slower chapter — go. It’s worth it.

And if you ever find yourself at Charring Cross eating egg curry and Parotta at 8 PM, wondering how you ended up there — that’s a good sign.