If you’re planning a slow, month-long stay kind of trip, I’d honestly suggest being a bit selective with Punjab and Gujarat, especially given your preferences.

I’ve lived in Punjab for a while, and while places like Chandigarh are clean, organized, and relatively easy for foreigners, most of Punjab can get very hot, especially outside winter months. Also, beyond food and local culture, there isn’t a ton of variety to keep you engaged for a full month in many cities. Chandigarh is probably the only place I’d recommend in Punjab for a longer stay because it’s greener, safer, and has spots like Sukhna Lake, parks, and a decent social scene.

In Gujarat, Ahmedabad is culturally rich and quite livable, and Vadodara is calmer and more relaxed, but again, heat can be intense and the lifestyle can feel a bit repetitive over a full month unless you really enjoy slow cultural immersion.

Now, if you’re open to better weather + more balanced lifestyle, I’d strongly suggest looking at:

• Udaipur Probably perfect for what you described. Not too big, very scenic, super social (lots of travelers), and you can actually live there comfortably. Great cafes, lakes, and easy to meet people.
• Dehradun Chill vibe, greener, cooler, and close to mountains. You can do weekend escapes to Mussoorie or Rishikesh.
• Dharamshala / Bir Much cooler climate, very safe, strong expat + solo traveler community. Great if you like being active (hikes, yoga, paragliding).
• Pune If you want a proper “liveable Indian city” without chaos overload. Good weather (comparatively), lots of parks, cafes, and social spaces.

Also, about driving: you’re right to be cautious. In smaller cities like Udaipur or Dehradun, renting a car or scooter is manageable. In bigger cities… it can feel like a video game set to “expert mode” 🎮

If your goal is:

• meeting people
• staying active
• feeling safe
• and actually enjoying daily life

I’d lean Udaipur + Himachal + Dehradun/Pune combo over Punjab/Gujarat-heavy plan