Ankit Bhardwaj’s Testimony: How Dehradun Helped Me Breathe Again

If someone had told me five years ago that I’d be working remotely, sipping my morning tea while watching the mist roll over the Mussoorie hills, I would have laughed.

Back then, my life revolved around traffic jams, deadlines, and the endless grind of NCR. I was one of those millions who believed that living close to Delhi was the only way to have a “successful” career.

But success, I’ve learned, means little if it comes at the cost of your peace, your health, and your family’s happiness.

Life in NCR: A Daily Struggle in Fast-Forward

For over a decade, I lived in Gurgaon — working in a top IT firm, earning well, yet constantly running late. Mornings started with the honking of cars, the smell of exhaust fumes, and a clock that never seemed to slow down.

Three hours of daily commute.

Barely time for breakfast.

Constant stress from pollution and crowding.

I remember once spending nearly two hours just to cross a 10-kilometer stretch from CyberHub to Dwarka due to a sudden rain.

I reached home exhausted, ate whatever was left on the table, and crashed into bed — only to wake up and do it all again.The air quality didn’t help either.

AQI levels in winter often touched 450+, and no amount of air purifiers or masks made a difference. My son developed breathing issues, my wife kept complaining of headaches, and I myself started feeling fatigued more often.

We had everything — a car, a flat, a decent lifestyle — but we were not living, just surviving.

The Turning Point: Pandemic and a Realization

When the pandemic forced everyone to work from home, I got my first taste of what life could be without the NCR chaos. No commute, no rushing to catch the Metro, no honking or smog.

For the first time, I spent real mornings with my family.

That’s when it struck me: Why was I living in a place that took away my peace just because my office was there?

Remote work became the norm in my industry, and suddenly, location didn’t matter anymore. The idea of moving to a cleaner, calmer place started growing stronger. We wanted nature, community, and better health — and that’s how Dehradun entered our conversation.

Discovering Dehradun — The City of Calm

I had visited Dehradun before — as a tourist rushing to Mussoorie. But this time, I looked at it through new eyes.Wide roads, tree-lined avenues, clear air, and people who actually smiled. The air here felt lighter — literally and emotionally.

And then we discovered River Valley Township, a township that seemed to have everything I wanted for my family:

• Modern apartments with MIVAN construction and natural ventilation

• 50+ amenities including sports grounds, yoga decks, parks, and clubhouses

• Work-from-home-friendly apartments with high-speed fiber internet

• A community that felt warm and inclusive

  
  

It wasn’t just a flat — it was a lifestyle.

Making the Move: From Doubt to Decision

Leaving NCR wasn’t an easy choice. Friends thought I was crazy. “How will you manage your career from a hill city?” they asked.

But the more I researched, the clearer it became — Dehradun wasn’t just a hill station anymore; it was an emerging smart city with great connectivity. Jolly Grant Airport offered easy flights to Delhi and Mumbai, and the upcoming Dehradun–Haridwar–Rishikesh Metro would soon make commuting even smoother.

River Valley’s location sealed the deal.Just a few minutes from the airport, ISBT, and railway station, and yet far from the city’s noise — it was exactly what we wanted. We booked a 3 BHK apartment in River Valley Township and began our new chapter.

Life After Moving: A Breath of Fresh Air — Literally

It’s been almost a year now, and every morning still feels like a dream. Instead of traffic noise, I wake up to birdsong. My balcony overlooks lush greenery and the distant silhouette of Mussoorie.

Working from home here is pure bliss — I’ve set up my home office facing the hills, and productivity has doubled. With high-speed internet and peaceful surroundings, my work quality has improved more than I ever expected.

But beyond work, our family’s health has transformed:

• My son’s breathing issues are gone.

• My wife has started gardening and yoga.

• I finally have time for evening walks around the township.

  
  

We spend weekends playing tennis, swimming, or just enjoying community festivals organized right inside River Valley Township. There’s a real sense of belonging — something I never felt in the NCR’s concrete maze.

The Quality of Life I Didn’t Know I Needed

What I found most surprising is how time feels different here. Days seem longer, calmer, and richer. You don’t spend hours in traffic; you spend them with family. You don’t look for peace outside; you live in it.

Even my friends who visit from NCR are stunned.They often say, “You’re lucky — this is what city life should be.”

But luck had little to do with it. It was a choice — a conscious decision to prioritize quality of life over convenience, health over hustle.

And with Dehradun’s property values steadily rising, that decision has turned into a smart investment too. Apartments here are not just beautiful; they’re future-ready — with world-class infrastructure, sustainable systems like rainwater harvesting and sewage treatment plants, and a township designed for the next generation of homebuyers.

Looking Back: No Regrets, Only Gratitude

Today, when I occasionally travel back to Delhi for meetings, the smog and traffic remind me of what I left behind. I sit in those long jams and feel grateful that I no longer live this way.

River Valley Township isn’t just my address; it’s the lifestyle I always dreamed of but didn’t know existed. A life where you can work efficiently, live healthily, and actually enjoy the little things — sunsets, festivals, laughter with neighbors, and clean air.

If you’re reading this from NCR and feeling the same burnout I once did — take this as a sign. You don’t have to escape to the mountains for peace; you can live in one.

River Valley gave me more than a home — it gave me back my life.

Closing Thought

Choosing Dehradun was not just a relocation — it was a re-awakening.

And for those searching for balance between modern living and natural harmony, River Valley Township is more than an address.

It’s a promise that a better life is possible — cleaner air, stronger health, meaningful connections, and mornings filled with peace instead of noise.