Rs 5,000 rent, mountain views, no commute: Couple's remote-work life in Manali

A remote-working couple living in Manali has gone viral after revealing that their monthly essential expenses stay below Rs 12,000. From Rs 5,000 rent to low grocery and transport costs, their breakdown has sparked conversations about affordable mountain living and the changing nature of work.

In Short

• Couple says their monthly essential expenses in Manali stay below Rs 12,000
• Rs 5,000 rent and mountain views spark debate on affordable remote living
• Viral video shows how remote work is changing where Indians choose to live

For many Indians, a trip to Manali is something to plan, save for and squeeze into a long weekend. But one remote-working couple says they live there full-time for less than what many tourists spend on a short getaway.

Their Instagram video has gone viral after revealing that their monthly essential expenses in the Himalayan town stay below Rs 12,000.

The couple, who run the Instagram page Two Vagabond Monks, shared how they replaced city rents, daily commutes and crowded neighbourhoods with Himalayan views while working remotely from the mountain town.

MOUNTAIN LIFE ON A BUDGET

According to the couple, their biggest expense is rent.

"We live in a beautiful one-acre apartment surrounded by peaceful Himalayan views, and our rent is just Rs 5,000 per month," they said in a video that has attracted widespread attention online.

The apartment is unfurnished, and they purchased most of the essentials themselves. They noted that furnished properties in the area can cost significantly more depending on location and amenities.

According to the couple, electricity bills usually stay below Rs 300 a month.

Food is another major area where they save money.

"We mostly cook our meals, which helps us save money. Our monthly grocery expenses come to around Rs 4,000," they said.

On days when they do not feel like cooking or when power cuts interrupt plans, they head to nearby cafes and restaurants. Those outings add roughly Rs 1,500 to their monthly spending.

Here's the full viral video posted by @twovagabondmonks on Instagram about their monthly expenses as remote workers in Manali:

THE BIGGEST SAVING? NO COMMUTE

Perhaps the most striking part of their budget is transportation. One reason their expenses remain low is that neither of them has to commute.

"As remote workers, we don't really have any daily commute expenses. We walk almost everywhere," they explained.

Their miscellaneous travel costs, they said, rarely cross Rs 500 a month.

For many professionals working from home, rent and transport often account for a major portion of monthly expenses. The couple's experience shows how location-independent jobs are allowing some workers to rethink where they live and how they spend.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO LIVE IN MANALI WHILE WORKING REMOTELY?

Here is how much the The Vagabond Monks spend monthly on an average:

Add everything together and their "non-negotiable living expenses" remain under Rs 12,000.

WHY THE VIDEO STRUCK A CHORD

The post quickly drew attention from people tired of rising rents and long commutes in major cities.

One user commented, "You guys live in Manali in the same price of a weekend trip to Manali would cost."

Another wrote, "You are living the dreams of many."

The viral response reflects a growing trend. As remote work gives people more freedom to choose where they live, some are looking beyond crowded metros and exploring smaller towns, mountain destinations and slower-paced lifestyles.

Whether everyone can realistically replicate this setup is another question. But for now, a couple paying Rs 5,000 rent for Himalayan views has captured the imagination of the internet.

- Ends