Help for Tourists Needing Long-Term Housing in Nepal

A room we have furnished with our furniture

Everyone seems to think tourists are ; nothing can harm them. The truth is that problems can crop up while traveling that there is just no way to prepare for. No matter where you are, when financial issues come the best thing is to take a couple months off and live like a local.  But that doesn't mean you need to your health, safety or quality of life. Get settled into your own little flat/room. Now hunker down, get a few online jobs and get back on your feet. 

Two can live here for about $500 a month pretty easily. The problem is, up until now, there hasn't been anyone helping the tourist to do that. We are using the furniture from Star View Guest House to help travelers. Being down on your luck isn't the only reason you might want to settle down in your own little flat or room.

No, it isn't always about money. I have seen how difficult it is for travelers, whether traveling for pleasure, volunteering or digital nomad travelers to stay in Nepal on the ultra cheap. You'll soon find the area you hope to stay in and it's pretty easy to get a room. Just ask people. If you ask three people at least one of them will know of a room that's available.

Yes, it can be difficult to find a furnished room with a window and running water. You might even want a room where you can put a little counter-top type stove. Most local people who don't have land in the Kathmandu Valley rent a room and put a stove on a small cabinet in the same room they sleep in or they rent two rooms. The lady of the house or another renter could even cook your nightly meal for you and do your dishes. Otherwise, if you live in a guesthouse you'll need to go out to eat 2-3 times a day and pay a lot more than you'd need to for food.

Another benefit of having your own room is the experience you will have. You will be able to get to know your neighbors and nearby businesses. You won't feel so alone as many do in guesthouses. You will have more control your environment, too. So, if you are finished with your trekking and still have 2 months or more to be in Nepal consider the following cost comparison. These prices below are for the most minimum/basic accommodations. Depending on the location, and your own 'skeeve factor,' it could cost considerably more. We are here to help you to live better, smarter and cheaper. 

Cost Comparison

Guesthouse costs: $540 per month or more

Room with attached bath cost per night: $10 minimum

2 meals per day (if breakfast is included) $8. This is the price of local restaurants with local, Nepali, vegetarian food and a drink with the meal.

Homestay cost: $450 per month

Bed with Nepali family that includes 2 meals per day: $15

As you can easily see, either of these budget alternatives will cost $450 per month or more. This doesn't even include coffee or tea when you want it. This does not usually include filtered drinking water, hot water or private bath.

Renting a private room with our furniture: Approximately $390 mo.

Single room with  shared or attached bath: $30-$100 per month- Less than $4 per day

Cost of rental furniture $50 Less than $2 per day

Cost of food:

Breakfast can be bread or pastry with fruit and tea or organic coffee prepared in your room: $1

Lunch out: $1 local samosa/ lunch or $3 tourist friendly vegetarian meal

Dinner: Eat dal with your neighbors for $1.50 or go out for dinner for $4 vegetarian pasta or another western-style dinner.

Total food charges for expensive budget:

Breakfast $1 per day   $30 per month

Lunch $3 per day         $90 per month

Dinner $4 per day      $120 per month

Total Food Monthly Budget:                                          $240

Room Rent:                                                                   $100

Furniture Rental   1st mo. $25 delivery charge               $50

Total Housing/Food Budget:                                          $390

If you like to cook you can usually use the kitchen in the home to prepare food and save more. This would need to be approved at the time of negotiating the room. If the landlord doesn't mind we can provide cookware and a 1-burner induction burner in addition to the electric kettle for your morning tea.

We can find a room for you with a shared kitchen and shared bath in many places throughout the Kathmandu Valley from $50 a month. The problem with this is the room will not likely be furnished, have curtains or even carpeted. All of these will need to be provided by the renter. That's where we come in.

If you choose to manage a room for yourself you'll find it takes a lot of time and even if you find the room on your first day. For example, the store that sells beds may not sell mattresses; most rooms are not furnished. The sheets and curtains will have to be custom-made and will require you to wait up to a week for them. Even if you find ready-made sheets they will need to be washed and line-dried before you put them on the bed. Yes, it goes on from there, so most travelers decide it really isn't worth it and give up. I agree that it's better to use your time enjoying Nepal rather than running around buying things you won't need in a few months. Tourist to have two choices; resort to living in ways that are just like local people live or spending more money. Using our service, you can have the best of both.

This photo (below) is from a local homestay to give you an idea of what you can expect from village landlords. Typically, these rooms have a cotton mattress and shared toilet. As with most, dal is offered twice a day, consisting of white rice, lentil soup and potato and vegetable curry. The price is $10 a day ($300 per month). Compare this room with the one at the top of our post.

We offer a quick, easy and inexpensive solution. We can have your furniture and furnishings delivered within 48 hours wherever you need it. Looking for a room? We can help you to find one, too.

Additional reasons for choosing to rent a furnished room instead of guesthouse or homestay:

1. Location. You can choose anywhere in the Kathmandu Valley instead of living in city.

2. You will not need to live with a family. Having your own room will allow you more freedom.

3. Clean furnishings.

4.Delivery within 48 hours

How Our Option Works 

Furniture Rental for Tourists/Expats

Get a room anywhere in the Kathmandu Valley and rent the furniture for only 5,000 Nrs. per month, basic package:

2-3X6 ft. beds with foam mattress (either pushed together for a king size or seperated)

1 set of sheets and blankets for twin beds or king size

2 large cotton bath towels

4 sets of tableware, cups, glasses dishes

2-4 Wall decorations

1 cabinet for stove-top burner and dishes

1 clothes closet or bamboo hat rack (w/6 hangers)

1 closet or bamboo shelf for clothing, etc.

1 electric kettle for heating water

1 Tea pot or French press coffee maker

1 metal cabinet that can be locked

1 trash canister

1 blue jar of filtered water with dispenser and stand

Curtains and carpet, as needed  

Need cooking set-up? Does the room you want to rent have carpet? If you need a stove and cookware we can also accommodate and even install carpet for you. Let us know how we can help you.

Monthly price is from 5,000 . Delivery, set-up charge: 2,500 . Available anywhere in the Kathmandu Valley-2 month minimum. Call 9849930812

Note: Towels and sheets are washed and packaged prior to delivery. Blankets are dry cleaned. Wall decorations will be hung. You will be provided with the contact information of a shop that can deliver your filtered water for you as needed.