"Even amid the chaos, Mumbai has a way of taking care of you"
An ode to the people, places and moments that make Mumbai
When I first moved from Gurugram to Mumbai in 2012, the ‘city of dreams’ gave me hope that I could accomplish anything here. I was a child at the time, but it still felt like I was on my way to fulfilling aspirations that I didn’t even have yet. It was perhaps Wake Up Sid that ignited this sense in me, as well as in countless others. Like Sid and Aisha, we have all hoped to find our footing in this storied city which delights and depresses in equal measure.
Here, people are always in a hurry. But when you need help, they will somehow always have a moment to spare. And the city’s jugaad skills are legendary. From a Mumbaikar bringing a DIY seat to navigate the local train’s rush to cab drivers showing unexpected kindness, people here have a way of surprising you. And when life feels heavy and nothing seems to be going your way, a brief break by the sea will console you. When you miss home, the grand celebrations of festivals here will make you feel like you belong.
It is this culture and sense of community, along with the nightlife, that led to Mumbai being ranked the happiest city in Asia and the fifth happiest in the world in a survey by Time Out in October 2025.
Unsurprisingly, many locals disagree with the title, because living in Mumbai is an endurance sport, too. It throws you challenges at every step—from wading through ankle-deep water during the ‘romanticised’ monsoon season, barely being able to keep up with skyrocketing rent and restaurant prices (it hasn’t stopped people from wanting to be seen at all the newest restaurants), and spending hours a day in backed-up traffic. But just as many who call Mumbai home, or did at some point in their lives, believe the city always gives more than it takes; that it grinds you down only to build you into a more resilient, truer version of yourself.
Curious about where the latter kind of Mumbaikars find their joy and calm in this chaotic, cacophonic city, we asked a handful of them to share their happiest moments and memories here.
Mumbaikars reveal their happiest moments in ‘Asia’s happiest city’
A silent connection
“Due to Mumbai’s image as the city that never sleeps, I have been asked several times that if people here lead such busy lives, they must not even have the time to get to know their own neighbours. According to me, that is far from true. Mumbai is a place where you share a connection with everyone — your neighbours, the people you meet in the local train on the way to work, the potter at Kumbharwada, the fisherwoman at Sassoon Dock. My work as a photographer has made me realise this in the most unexpected ways.
I remember one such incident vividly. In 2018, I was capturing the Ganpati visarjan festivities at Girgaon Chowpatty. One of the mandals, Lower Parelcha Ladka, was not allowing anyone to take photographs as they were just about to immerse the idol. I convinced them that I would not capture any photo that showed Bappa in a bad light. I was the only photographer that year who got their visarjan photo. Three years later, when I was back in Girgaon on Anant Chaturdashi, there was a tap on my back. I turned around and saw the same mandal folks. In this crowd, in this busy city, they remembered this photographer. They gifted me a brooch and I felt truly honoured. Such is the spirit of Mumbai.”
— Salonee Jain, 42, photographer
When the night feels like the day
“The best thing about Mumbai is that the city feels alive at any time of the day (and night). I usually commute at night due to work—I take the office cab while returning home from work around 11-11.30 pm. But I have never felt that it is too late to be travelling. There are lights on everywhere, which makes me feel safe. And you will always find other vehicles on the road. The streets are never empty.
Apart from the safety aspect, I also love the fact that there is always something to see outside. I never use my phone while I’m travelling because I like looking out of the window. I see several 24/7 stores and food stalls around every corner, and there are always people everywhere—eating, talking or just strolling around, which is probably a rare sight in other cities. It feels very lively.
— Shabista Shaikh, 26, financial analyst
People make the place
“I have studied and worked in Mumbai, and after moving around for a few years due to my husband’s job, I finally settled here. I have seen the city grow and change over the past 60 years. But having experienced life in different places, I can say that nothing compares to the cosmopolitan culture of Mumbai. You will always feel at home here. Marathis, Gujaratis, Punjabis, Malayalis, and others, all co-exist peacefully.
And people are always helpful and kind. When neighbours know you need help, they will be there for you. This spirit makes Mumbai different. The city has changed a lot, in some cases, for the worse. It has become congested. But this culture remains the same. There have been times when we have thought of moving from here, but according to us, no other place has the amenities and the culture this city has. And my children and grandchildren love Mumbai, too.
Another thing that I love about the city is that even when you are outside your home at night, you are safe, and this has sustained. I used to take tuitions when I was in the 11th standard. I would return home around 7 pm. The city was not as populated and lively as it is now, so the roads used to be relatively silent by then. But even back then, I never felt scared.”
— Usha Trivedi, 81, educational consultant
City of amenities and opportunities
“We like a city because of its people, amenities that make life easier, and the presence of spaces that help our mind feel at peace. And for me, Mumbai has all this. I was born in Mulund, but since then, I have stayed in different parts of the city, including Dombivali, Kalyan, Andheri, Sion and now Dadar. And one thing I have loved about it is that it is home to so many cultural and recreational spaces.
I love movies and theatre, and somehow, wherever we have lived, there has always been a theatre nearby. Since moving to Dadar, watching a play every Saturday or Sunday at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Shivaji Rang Mandir, Yashwant Natya Gruh or Dinanath in Vile Parle has become a routine.
Additionally, as a homemaker, the easier household chores become, the better life feels. And for working women, it’s even more necessary. For that, quick commerce services are always available here, but even better are the local poli-bhaji kendras that provide homely readymade meals.
Problems exist everywhere. No matter where you live, you have to find your own moments of happiness. And Mumbai has countless such places waiting to give you that happiness.”
– Shilpa Ramesh Hundekar, 52, homemaker and crochet artist
A mother’s support system
“I think, as a mother, Mumbai feels like a support system that quietly holds you up. Whether it is sharing a quick vada pav with my daughter outside her school, or getting help from complete strangers while travelling in a crowded local train with a child, the city has a way of giving you moments to bond with your little ones and reminding you that you are never alone.
Seeing my daughter grow up with several avenues to enjoy the little moments of life and the opportunities to discover herself has been a joy. My daughter is 19 now, and for me, the city and the people here—with their energy, kindness and unshakeable spirit— have contributed in raising her to be the person she is today.”
— Namrata Vohra, 41, insurance and investment advisor
The calm in chaos
“It will be four years this December since I moved to Mumbai from Kanpur, and honestly, this city has only ever met me with kindness. People warn you that Mumbai is fast, overwhelming, unforgiving, but somehow, for me, it has been the opposite. If I had to choose one happy memory here, it would be every single time I’ve found myself at Marine Drive after a hard day. As clichéd as it sounds, there is something oddly grounding about that stretch. The waves don’t ask questions, the skyline doesn’t judge you, and in all that noise and movement, you somehow find a pocket of stillness just for yourself. Sitting there, everything that felt heavy just softens.
I think that is what I love the most about this city. Even in the chaos, it has this gentle way of taking care of you. You come here to work, to hustle, to survive, but along the way the city gives you these quiet moments that make you feel like you belong.”
— Meenakshi Chugh, 24, PR professional
Kindness that surprises
“No matter how well you think you know Mumbai or the perception you have about the city, it will surprise you at every turn. I have experienced kindness in the most unexpected situations and places. I remember once when I was leading the Beyond The Brothel walk in Kamathipura, a local resident paid for chai for my entire group, because he was so touched to see an engaged group of people passionately discussing his home. It was one of the kindest gestures I have experienced.
I am not sure if I agree that Mumbai is the happiest city in Asia, but it definitely presents several moments of joy for me.”
— Zoya Kathawala, 35, art and culture consultant and walking tour curator
A love-hate relationship
“I moved to Mumbai in 2022 for my education, and in the following two years, I formed a love-hate bond with the city. In many ways, the place still felt unknown to me. But when I found myself giving a stranger directions near Churchgate station, I realised I had come to know it more than I was admitting. I thought I didn’t like the food the city offered, but if anyone asked, I could tell them all the good eateries here. Through these little acts, I realised I had fallen in love with Mumbai.
After my graduation, I moved back to Udhampur. But little did I know, the city would come calling for me again, with work. It is a place that has given me opportunities to explore and test my skills, face my fears and stand up for myself. It gets overwhelming at times, but if you give it enough time, Mumbai helps you grow so much in every way possible.”
— Tamanna Gupta, 22, marketing professional
The feeling of home
“I moved to Mumbai in June 2023, and while I have now moved back to my hometown Vadodara, I still miss the ‘city of dreams’ because of the people I found there.
When I was still new to Mumbai, I was rushing for the train one morning. I had booked a ticket on the UTS app but I got logged out somehow, and didn’t know I had to sync the ticket again after logging in. I was passing through Dadar, and if you’ve travelled on the local train enough, you know the station is famous for ticket checks. When the TC asked me for the ticket, I confidently opened the app, only to find it blank. My heart sank. She asked me to step out and pay a fine. For a student new to the city, it felt humiliating.
I boarded the next train, still shaken, when I felt a hand on my head. It was the same TC. She smiled and said, “Beta, don’t be scared. I am like your mom too, and I understand you’re nervous. Next time, double-check.” In that moment, I felt at home. People like her make the city what it is. And that’s why you can walk away from Mumbai, but you can’t remove Mumbai from within you.”
— Anvesha Shah, 25, writer
