The Defence Colony does not require an introduction if you know the South Delhi neighbourhoods. Having green-lit wide streets, beautiful parks, weekly market craziness, and a community that lived there for many decades without having a thought about leaving the colony, it surely sounds very exclusive. Hence, it is obvious why real estate agents compare the colony with the likes of Vasant Vihar and Greater Kailash.
But before you move in or spend your weekend in this place, let us walk you through a few other aspects besides the rental costs and prices.
Luckily for those living in the colony for a while, the neighbourhood apps proved useful in providing security-related advice, mechanics' contacts, doctors' information, and much more.
Why People Prefer Defence Colony
There is something about Defence Colony that makes it immediately liveable. It was initially constructed for defence personnel, hence it has an orderly block structure, wide internal roads, and relatively low-density construction. Over the years, it became one of the premium neighbourhoods of South Delhi, with senior professionals, business families, and NRIs settling here to make Delhi their home.
There is a mix of reasons behind it. First, the colony seems to be one of the safest for kids and elderly people. The roads are wide enough that it doesn't feel claustrophobic even at peak hours. Then there are markets, parks, restaurants, etc., adding value that residents believe is impossible to replicate elsewhere.
Connectivity
This is one of the most crucial factors while choosing your place to live.
The nearest metro stations are:
• Lajpat Nagar on Violet/Pink line
• Jangpura on Pink Line
• Moolchand on Violet Line
Road Connectivity includes:
• Lajpat Nagar & South Extension for shopping and necessities
• Lodhi Road & Khan Market in 10-15 mins
• IGI Airport in 45 mins (during peak hours)
• Saket & Malviya Nagar for multiplex and shopping malls
• Noida is easily accessible via the DND Flyover, hence closer to Delhi despite being south of it.
Cabs and auto-rickshaws are available 24/7, and the traffic in peak hours can be easily managed too.
Cost of Living in Defence Colony
Rent & Property Costs
Defence Colony falls into the segment of premium housing rentals. However, there might be variations in the price of rent, which depend on whether the flat is fully furnished, semi-furnished, unfurnished, a builder floor, an independent floor, or any other. Therefore, it is highly recommended to inspect them beforehand.
The rental costs in Defence Colony:
• Rent for 2 BHK flats: Ranges from ₹80,000 to ₹1.5 Lakh. Luxury apartments, fully furnished apartments, and prime locations will cost more.
• Rent for 3 BHK flats: Independent floors costs from ₹1.5 to ₹3.5 Lakh monthly. However, there can be much higher prices for better-maintained flats.
• Buying property in Defence Colony is quite costly based on the circle rates, however, it also remains quite stable due to demand.
Groceries and daily shopping
The opportunities for shopping in Defence Colony are endless, as one can purchase everything necessary here. For daily essentials, there are a variety of vendors providing services like milk, eggs, vegetables, fruits, etc. Fresh vegetables are brought from farmhouses daily in the morning by the local vendors themselves. Lajpat Nagar market is nearby if you want to shop for clothes, household items, and kitchen essentials like utensils, etc.
For a family consisting of 3 to 4 people, who cook meals by themselves, the average spending on groceries is ₹12,000 to ₹18,000. If you purchase products of premium quality, then there can be significant fluctuation in prices.
Educational & Healthcare Facilities
Schools
One of the biggest advantages of Defence Colony for families with children would be the proximity of reputed schools. For example:
• K.R Mangalam Global School
• The Frank Anthony Public School
• Cambridge School
• The Mother's International School
• Bluebells School International
• Oxford Public School
Apart from that, there are also many coaching classes and tutorials available within the colony. .
Healthcare
Health care facilities in proximity to Defence Colony are as follows:
• Max Hospital, Saket
• Apollo Spectra, Nehru Place
• Fortis, Vasant Kunj
• Moolchand Hospital
In addition, there are also many diagnostic and clinics services provided in the colony. Chemists can be found in the colony's market, which are also operational till late evening.
Parks, recreation facilities & other
Well-maintained parks with diverse recreation facilities are a part of Defence Colony.
Some of the structured activities include:
• Swimming lessons offered by the colonies' club
• Badminton and tennis provided by clubs and courts requiring membership
• Music and dance lessons organized by academies within the colony/Lajpat Nagar
• Art and crafts classes organized by the colonists themselves; some offer hobby classes for those interested. They communicate with each other through the neighbourhood apps.
Domestic help, security & other amenities
In case you are new to the colony and want to hire a house help, such as a maid, cook, driver, etc., then finding one would be easy via Neighbourhood apps. Many people choose the Neighbournook app for its easy to use and diverse features. The app connects you to your service providers having previous experience.
Security measures in most of the blocks of Defence Colony are relatively reliable because the majority of them use community apps. Every block hires its watchmen to ensure safety and a wonderful living experience. Neighbrsnook come in handy in the same regard as residents notify about any suspicious person/cars they notice in the vicinity.
Hangouts and social life
Defence Colony market deserves a special mention because of numerous restaurants, bakeries, and a flea market taking place there weekly on Sundays. Many people travel from various parts of the city just for that day. Stores within the market have operated for many years and recognize all their regular customers.
Among the places you may visit in and around Defence Colony include the following:
• Khan Market
• Hauz Khas Village
• Lajpat Nagar Central Market
• Saket Select Citywalk
Final Thoughts
Defence Colony is one of the happening areas to live in. Living there is on the higher side but residents consistently say that it pays for itself in quality of life in ways that are difficult to put into a spreadsheet.
For those seriously considering moving here, spending a few weekends in the colony before committing is worth the effort. And once the move happens, connecting with the resident community through a platform like Neighbrsnook makes settling in considerably easier.
FAQs
Is Defence Colony safe to live in?
Yes, Defence Colony is one of the relatively safe neighbourhoods where one can live. The presence of a strong resident community and reliable security measures makes it safe for living.
What is the average rent in Defence Colony?
The average rent of Defence Colony is somewhere around ₹70,000 and ₹1 lakh per month, depending on the layout, size, and infrastructure.
Which are the closest metro stations to Defence Colony?
Among the closest metro stations in Defence Colony are Lajpat Nagar, Moolchand, and Jangpura metro stations.
Are there good schools nearby?
Yes, there are a number of well-known schools around the Defence Colony with their school buses.
Where are markets & hangouts nearby Defence Colony?
Defence Colony markets, Khan Market, Lajpat Nagar, and Hauz Khas Village are some of the popular markets around Defence Colony.
Can one find domestic help in Defence Colony?
Yes, it is fairly easy to find domestic help in Defence Colony.
