Bombay. The old name for a city that’s always up to something new; always changing, always moving onward. But for those who arrive on its shores, looking to settle down, the transient nature of the city acts like whiplash.

It was the same for influencer Kareema Barry, who moved to Mumbai in February 2022. Barry wasn’t unfamiliar with staying alone as a twenty-something; she’d shuttled between Mumbai, Kolkata, and Delhi before, as a student. “In Mumbai, living by yourself is a different experience. It’s so…big, for starters,” she laughs. “The vibe is chaotic!” Barry, whose content revolves around comedy and relatable situations, moved to Mumbai, ostensibly, to pursue her Masters in Literature—but also, she says, as an excuse to get her parents to give her permission to live in another city.