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Moving to India is an exciting prospect, but how much do you know about the practical details of relocation and day-to-day living in modern India? "How will I find a house, a doctor, where will I buy food, what will I do of an evening?" are questions that may be troubling you. That's where we come in. Global Adjustments is here to offer practical, cross-cultural solutions to help you settle in this diverse and wonderful country, and we aim to do so with care and warmth. So, what do you want to know? Whichever city you're coming to, this information holds good…
It’s going to be hot, isn’t it?
Yes, much of the time, and humid too, but depending on which part of India you are moving to, you may find the weather more moderate and seasonal than you anticipate. Air-conditioned cars, shopping malls, homes and offices are the norm (though getting used to air-conditioning is another topic!).
The people are very traditional, aren’t they?
Indians are indeed rooted in their tradition and culture, though outwardly westernization can be glimpsed in all facets of life. Exposure to western culture is very high as most middle-class families have relatives settled overseas. Families place a huge value on good education, and English is understood and spoken by many people. Religion is inexorably intertwined into everyday life, no matter which faith people practice. Superstitions and myths guide many activities and even find their way into work life – there is much to discover!
Are there other expatriates? What do they get up to?
Yes, there are thousands of expatriates living and working in each of India’s major cities. They are drawn from many different countries, and include former non-resident Indians from the United States and Europe.
Whilst most expatriates relish the opportunity to get to know their Indian neighbours and colleagues (and vice versa), you’ll find a number of international organisations and cultural centres in each city offering meeting and support groups. Whichever metropolis you’re based in, there are thriving arts and film scenes, clubs and societies to join, good restaurants to dine in, and laid-back coffee bars where you can relax and meet friends. “We had a great time there”.
And, as part of our remit to bring cultures together, we’ve created our unique India Immersion Centre to provide a programme of cultural activities, skill-learning classes and social events to expatriates. So if you wish to learn to drape a sari, take Bollywood dancing lessons, meet other expatriates leading Indian teams, play a game of chess, or participate in our annual photo competition, we’re waiting for you! Find out more at www.globaladjustments.com
Can’t wait! But how do I find somewhere to live?
Most cities typically have expatriate housing zones. We’re here to walk and talk you through all the options – centre or suburb, city, farmhouse or beach, villa or apartment – and to negotiate with property owners on your behalf. Real estate practices and tenancy laws in India are quite different from international norms, but our expertise and experience will ensure you find the home you want, negotiate the right prices and amenities, and hold your hand through the challenges of moving in.
I’ve heard the power’s always going off
You may well have heard off-putting tales of power shortages and poor water quality – don’t be alarmed! We can help you manage these occasional domestic challenges. We’ll explain how the utilities work, what to do if the power goes off, how to get round summer water shortages, and how to control pests. Our city destination manuals include listings of reliable service providers handpicked by us to help you.
My kids are school age, what are the options?
There are several options in each city, ranging from international to good local schools – check out the specific school information for your city in the relevant city page. Indian schools of repute are academically challenging and hard to get into, while international schools have more readily available admissions. We will organise a visit to the schools and meetings with the principals and staff as part of your city orientation visit. Our advisory service includes connecting you to expat parents with kids the same age as yours, which will help you make the right decision.
Not a problem, haven’t you seen the Indian ones are the best even where you live? India is a top medical tourism destination as it is home to several hospital groups which are recognised centres of excellence. Expatriates in India essentially enter a private, pay-as-you-go healthcare system. Patients may refer themselves directly to consultants, and home visits by general practitioners are possible. Access to excellent dentists and ophthalmologists is very straightforward, and pharmacies are readily found in the city’s commercial districts. Handpicked specialists for each area appear in our full guide.
Where do I go shopping for food?
A bunch of different areas for different things is the norm, so you do need guidance and help here before you work this out. You’ll see fresh fruit and vegetables for sale on every street, with seasonal produce such as watermelons and mangoes a highlight of the year (and a fantastic photo opportunity: see this cart!). International-style supermarkets have responded to the expatriate presence and stock many recognised grocery brands and dairy products, imported from all over the world. As many Indians are vegetarian, meat and fish are available from more specialised outlets, but can also be delivered directly to your home. As for bread and bakery products, these are always on sale in supermarkets and special outlets, but a top tip is that it’s worth checking out some of the upmarket hotel patisseries who will sell direct to you.
The idea of employing a maid makes me feel uncomfortable, do I have to?
What would you do when you are having “a bad India hair day” if you had no staff to crib about? Jokes apart, we highly recommend it just because you have to go to a dozen places to get your supplies, and daily cleaning cannot be skipped in the tropics! Be assured it is normal practice to take on staff to work in your house, and the benefit works both ways: good staff are essential to the smooth running of your day-to-day life in India and take pride in their work, and by employing local people you are giving something back to the community. Housemaids will keep a home spotless during the dustiest of dry seasons, and some expatriates will choose to take on a cook as well. As for driving, practically all expatriates will opt for a driver rather than take on the country’s alarming traffic themselves. Think of it as ‘me-time’ and settle in the back of the car with a book!
There’s a lot of poverty, isn’t there? How do I deal with this?
True, the sight of India’s poor can be shocking at first view. You will be approached by people who are begging, and be tempted to give money. Whether you do so is up to you, but our advice is to be selective; there is a risk you will quickly be surrounded by others. It is far better to give to those who perform a service, such as shoe cleaning, and some expatriates carry fruit and sweets in their cars to give to children who beg at the lights. There are many worthy local NGOs in India working to alleviate poverty at ground level, and Global Adjustments will be happy to advise you on organisations you can support. Expatriate organisations hold fund-raising events in support of local charities, too, and offer an excellent way to make a small difference. The India Immersion Centre is an expat hub that provides a cushion from culture shock, and offers advice on how to get involved in volunteer work.
We wish we knew better than to say it goes with the territory when you have a huge population! Many newcomers to the country are shocked at the dirtiness of public areas. It is a strange contradiction (but getting better slowly): if you are invited to visit a local Indian home, you will see immediately how clean and sparkling these are kept, as are shops, temples, hotels and other places of community. We can only suggest that you don’t get too wound up about it, and that you lead by example!
Yes, do, living in India is a unique experience, it changes you outside and within and you come across something new each day! Consider this a wonderful learning experience: be patient about things which you cannot figure out and keep your sense of humour handy for things that you cannot change! These are fail-safe formulas for a happy and peaceful stay here. India will teach you acceptance, a life-enriching quality that our ancient religions have instilled in us for centuries.
Read on – we have seven cities covered in the following pages to help you get a better sense of where exactly you’re heading. They are:
Bengaluru – capital of the state of Karnataka
Chennai – capital of the state of Tamil Nadu
Delhi – and the National Capital Region, including Gurgaon
Hyderabad – capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh
Mumbai – capital of the state of Maharashtra
Pune – the second city of Mharashtra
Global Adjustments provide a complimentary full-length manual and guide to the city of destination, complete with current city listings of recommended shops and reliable service providers, to all clients of our Indian Destination Service programme. If you like what you read here and have more questions, email relocationindia@globaladjustments.com to set up a 15-minute free audio-video advisory call with our relocation expert. We use www.skype.com
