For many office workers stuck in traffic, paying sky-high rents and spending half their day commuting, the idea of packing up and moving to the mountains sounds like a fantasy. One remote employee living in Manali has now shown what that lifestyle actually costs, and the numbers have left the internet talking.
Breaking Down the Monthly Budget
Ajay Sharma, who works remotely and lives alone in the Himachal Pradesh hill town, recently shared a video breaking down his monthly expenses. His goal was simple: answer a question many people keep asking: how expensive is mountain life when you are working from home? Surprisingly, his monthly budget is lower than what many people spend just on rent in cities like Gurugram, Bengaluru or Mumbai.
Rent and Utilities
According to Sharma, his biggest expense is rent. He pays ₹14,000 a month for a one-bedroom apartment in Manali. The amount also covers Wi-Fi and electricity, which means there are no separate utility bills to worry about.
Food and Groceries
When it comes to food, he keeps things fairly simple. Since he follows a fitness-focused lifestyle and prefers eating home-cooked meals, he spends roughly ₹3,500 a month on groceries. Most of his meals are prepared at home, helping him keep both his health goals and expenses under control. Of course, nobody feels like cooking every day. On days when he wants a break from the kitchen, Sharma orders food from outside. He estimated this adds another ₹500 a week to his expenses.
Fitness and Transport
Fitness is also part of his routine. He has a gym membership in Manali that costs him ₹1,500 per month after a discounted rate. One area where he saves a lot of money is transport. Unlike city dwellers who often spend thousands every month on fuel, cabs or public transport, Sharma mostly walks wherever he needs to go. Apart from helping him stay active, it also keeps his travel expenses almost non-existent.
Total Monthly Cost
After adding everything together, he said his total monthly cost of living comes to around ₹21,000.
Online Reactions
The video quickly gained attention online, especially among people tired of expensive city life. Many users could not help comparing the numbers to what they spend every month in major metropolitan areas. "Cheaper than Gurgaon life," one person commented. Another wrote that real luxury is not about expensive purchases but about having a better quality of life, calling Sharma's lifestyle "wholesome." Several people admitted that living in the mountains while working remotely sounds like a dream. "You are living my dream," one user summed up.
Skeptical Views
But not everyone was convinced. While many felt the overall monthly budget was reasonable, some viewers thought the rent seemed high for a hill station. A few questioned whether ₹14,000 for a one-bedroom apartment in Manali was actually a bargain, arguing that similar rents can be found in parts of larger cities too. Others jumped into the discussion with their own mountain-living experiences. One user claimed they pay only ₹4,000 in rent in Dharamshala, including Wi-Fi, while enjoying scenic views, plenty of sunlight and what they described as "roohani khamoshi" - a kind of peaceful silence that city residents rarely get to experience.
Broader Debate on Values
The conversation soon turned into a broader debate about what people really value. For some, saving money is the biggest attraction. For others, it is waking up to mountain views instead of traffic jams, breathing cleaner air, and having the flexibility to work from anywhere. Remote work has changed the equation for many professionals. A few years ago, living in a mountain town while working a corporate job would have seemed unrealistic. Today, it is becoming an increasingly popular choice for people who no longer need to be tied to an office building.
Challenges of Mountain Life
Of course, mountain life is not perfect. Internet connectivity, healthcare access, harsh winters and fewer entertainment options can all be challenges depending on where you live. But Sharma's video has once again highlighted why so many young professionals are considering making the move. Because sometimes the dream is not about earning more. It is about spending less, slowing down and trading city chaos for a view of the mountains outside your window.
