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Travelling or Moving to India (according to this expat wife ;)

This blog is about traveling or moving to India. As I can say that "I've been there... done that...", this blog offers an expat's view.

19 years ago, March 12th 2005 No: 1 Msg: #1421 Delete Edit

Kat_M
Kat Marion

N Posts: 4

Hello All. Funny, after helping others about blogs and finding relevant blogs for them, this is MY first blog 😊
Well, for now, let's just say that I've been living in India on and off for the past 5 years already. Many people have approached me for tips (where DO I buy pork?!?), and many other foreigners out there thinking of going to India are asking me for my point of view (POV). Is it safe? Where do my kids go to school, etc.
I am NOT selling anything and I'm NOT affiliated with any firm (Indian or otherwise). But I AM doing research on anything and everything that foreigners (or travelers in general) want to know about taking a vacation or completely moving into India.
Many Indians will probably say, well I can answer those. Well... many foreigners/expats prefer experiences of other expats so pls. don’t take offense 😉
If any of you have questions that I can answer based on my experiences, I’ll reply to them asap 😉 As it is, I can only say that I wish blogs about travel where there already before my husband and I started acting like nomads 😉

Thanks!
Kat
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19 years ago, March 12th 2005 No: 2 Msg: #1422 Delete Edit

Ali
Ali Watters

B Posts: 5,200

Hi Kat - welcome to travelblog.org - congratulations on setting up your first blog 😊

It's great to have someone with so much experience of India from an expat perspective posting. I'll definetly send some questions when I get the chance to head to India. Reply to this

19 years ago, April 3rd 2005 No: 3 Msg: #1540 Delete Edit

Sarah_M
Sarah Mangelsdorf

N Posts: 2

Hi Kat,
My husband and I are moving to Mumbai - can you help? We are childless and needing to consider travelling time to airport for him, I will be working from home, but must consider outside proximity to entertainment for me.
Thanks Sarah Reply to this

19 years ago, April 20th 2005 No: 4 Msg: #1665 Delete Edit

Kat_M
Kat Marion

N Posts: 4

Hi Sarah,

So sorry for the delayed response, I've been busy with... what else? traveling 😉
I don't live in Mumbai, I live in Gurgaon (Haryana) so not well-versed about distance to the airport. Concidentally, I also work from home and I've heard that the social or 'night life' is really better in Mumbai than here in Gurgaon so if you're really concerned abt the 'entertainment', my sources tell me Mumbai is the place to go...

Bye for now,
Kat Reply to this

18 years ago, October 2nd 2005 No: 5 Msg: #2773 Delete Edit

stass
Stacey Jeffery

N Posts: 5

Hi, My husband and I (Canadians) are currently living and working in China, but he'd like to look for IT work in India. Of course we have lot's of questions; here are the main ones on my mind:

What is the job market like in the tech sector? My husband is only three years into his CS degree (he's 23), but he has about six years experience doing software development. He's had good luck finding work in Canada, Switzerland, and China. Can he expect similar luck in India?

What work is available for me? I'm only 19 and have very little experience or credentials. In China I've been very successful as an English teacher/private tutor. Is there a market for private tutoring in large Indian cities? What about other markets for expat wives/husbands? Do you know of any websites I could check out about this?

What is the Visa situation? I've read that an expat wife who wants to work must leave the country to change visas. Does this mean back to the home country, or is any country with an Indian embassy sufficient? Also, how strict is this? Much of my work in China has been done without proper permits. Can this be done safely in India?

Those are my most pressing questions at the moment. I know it's a lot to ask, and I want to thank you for your efforts to share information about India. My husbadn and I have a similar goal for people coming to China. If you're interested in info about living/working/travelling in China, please browse our site for answers to your most pressing questions.

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18 years ago, October 7th 2005 No: 6 Msg: #2838 Delete Edit

vg
Varona

N Posts: 3

Hi Stass,

Tech recruitment is booming in India. Ans since many European and American companies are oursourcing their work to India there is a lot of opportunity for teacher of these acsent. You would try that. Cost of living is low companitively so dont convert the salaries back to dollars. There is a decent expat community in all metros in India ( delhi, bangalore, bombay, hyderabad)

If you work privately obviously you can do it without permits. Also there are many small time institutes which recruit without permits. But if you want employment in big established foreign firms which pay higher you need a permit.

what is the platform that your husband works on?

let me know if you need further info Reply to this

18 years ago, October 26th 2005 No: 7 Msg: #2966 Delete Edit

jo sando
Johanna

N Posts: 2

I'm travelling to Asia for the first time just before New Years. I arrive in Mumbai, but am meeting friends in Goa...what's the easiest way to get to Goa from the Mumbai airport? Is there a train/bus nearby?

Thanks for your help! Reply to this

18 years ago, December 24th 2005 No: 8 Msg: #3514 Delete Edit

Scot C
Scot Corrigan

B Posts: 5

Hi Kat:

I am thinking about taking a job here in Inida for 1-2 years and I have two dogs at home (italian greyhounds) do you know where I can find information on how to transport them here and how to find out information on quarentine issues with India from the US? I have been in India working for about 4 weeks now, and still have had no luck finding any information out about brining my dogs with me. Let me know if I can help you answer any questions about So. India as I have made a ton of contacts here since I have arrived.

Cheers.
Scot c

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18 years ago, January 17th 2006 No: 9 Msg: #3756 Delete Edit

JWS
Jeff Stokes

N Posts: 3

Hey Kat,
Good to here you live in Gurgaon. I am contemplating a 2 year assignment with my office being in Gurgaon. I have been there several times in the past and was amazed at the recent growth. My question is I have two kids 8 and 10 who will need to attend and english school. Would it be better to live in Delhi and have me commute or have the kids commute to Delhi for school (one not selected yet)? Are you aware of any good schools for a couple american kids to attend in Gurgaon?

Last question for this note...just curious what rent is going for for a 2 or 3 bedroom flat in Gurgaon.

Thanks

Jeff
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18 years ago, January 17th 2006 No: 10 Msg: #3758 Delete Edit

vg
Varona

N Posts: 3

Hey Jeff,

Travelling to and fro from gurgaon to Delhi for the kids will be a definite strain as the it will take at least 45 minutes one way and the traffic situation will take a couple of years to smoothen.

You can get a two bedroom flat for around 12000 -15000 and a 3 bedroom between 18000 to 25000. There are options of it going higher or lower depending on the ammenities and distance from city centre.

There are many decent schooling options available in gurgaon like Dehi Public school, Amity international, Pathways World School etc Reply to this

18 years ago, January 18th 2006 No: 11 Msg: #3767 Delete Edit

JWS
Jeff Stokes

N Posts: 3

Varona,

Thanks for the feedback. Great information I will research the schools in Gurgaon. I would prefer to live, work and school all in the Gurgaon area.

Any particular residential communities in Gurgaon that you would recommend over others? The cost ranges you mention is what I will be looking at so that is great.

Thanks again

Jeff
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18 years ago, January 18th 2006 No: 12 Msg: #3769 Delete Edit

Kat_M
Kat Marion

N Posts: 4

Hi Jeff, Kat here 😊

vg was definitely right there with the Delhi-Gurgaon traveling and I know that for a fact because I was working in Delhi during the first year we were living in India (in Gurgaon). There are indeed good schools in Gurgaon and I do encourage you to have your kids go to school there, it is safer and less of a hassle for them rather than to have to travel up and down.

On the rent. When we first started here in Gurgaon, we made the mistake of getting a broker/agent because the only things we saw were BIG condo-type units that are worth 30 thousand rupees and up. They do have security but we were really LESS than pleased with the 'amenities', which were really non existent.

So one Sunday, I took a local newspaper and started calling people renting out houses and flats DIRECTLY. I set up appointments, visited them all in one day and by the end of that day, I was VERY lucky enough to meet a retiring Indian couple with a 2-bedroom flat that cost just Rs15,000! It was really a HOME.

We are still in touch with these landlords so if you are interested, drop me a line and I'll give you their contact numbers. They are great friends of ours now and they are very hesitant to rent out their place 'to just anybody' so I'm sure you won't regret that place if you end up there.

All for now,
Kat

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18 years ago, January 19th 2006 No: 13 Msg: #3771 Delete Edit

JWS
Jeff Stokes

N Posts: 3

Thanks Kat,

I will try and research the schools in Gurgaon a bit. If this all comes together and I am heading that way that would be great if you could give me your former landlord contact info. I will let you know...be a few weeks before all the stars align on this.

I do appreciate the heads up on the brokers. Good info to be aware of. This is a great forum and glad you all would take the time to assist me.

Thanks again

Jeff Reply to this

18 years ago, January 19th 2006 No: 14 Msg: #3773 Delete Edit

vg
Varona

N Posts: 3

Hey Jeff,

There are many good apartments in Gurgaon by a builder called DLF and they have decent ammenities and maintenance. Also there is a website for searching homes on rent www.99acres.com You could look at that one too. Many brokers advertise there but it does have some direct listings. Also in case you need any other relocation assistance then do let me know. I stayed in 7 cities in India in the past 10 years so i kinda know the pangs of relocation but once you are here I am sure you wil like it. Though let me warn you the summers are gonna be really HOT!!. AC in all rooms are a must, (there are a few centrally Ac appartments too but dont know how much they cost)

Most of the schools i mentioned have websites too...you could just google them to reach.

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17 years ago, April 9th 2007 No: 15 Msg: #12635 Delete Edit

ashima
ashima-saxena

N Posts: 2

Hi Kat
I thought since you are helping lot of Expats i shall help you with schools in Gurgaon as I myself had a tough time . Since most schools claim to be international but are hardly so . You can suggest Excelsior American School ...they have expat population too and I have put my two kids there and am happy with the way they are progressing. Their website is www.excelsioreducation.org Reply to this

17 years ago, April 16th 2007 No: 16 Msg: #12976 Delete Edit

Familyman
Shaun Van der Poll

N Posts: 2

Hi Kat... I am glad you stared this Blog, I was searching long and hard for an honest person to come along with some answers to some of my questions. I say some because I do not expect you to answer all my questions, but if you can it will be great... So, Need a few details Please help, time is running out a bit...

I live in South Africa (i am a South African Citizen and not from Indian descent), I have a wife and kid (daughter, will be two by the time I have to leave), we are planning to pack up and move all the way to India, seems like Vadodara in Gujarat is where we plan on going. If you have a better place to raise a kid I will appreciate it if you could let me know, I am looking for a nice peaceful and safe place for my family. That is one of the questions I had, only it was not in the form of a question, but it was one.

Next I would like to know the serious things... So I work from home, like you do, I would like to know how you get around the Visa aspect, what visa do I get for my family and what do I tell them I am doing there, most importantly, what work do I tell them I am going to do there? how long do we get to stay, I am planning to send my kid to the international school in Vadodara, so how do I get around being sent back every six months, or can we stay longer? How do you get away with not working for any company if you are on a working visa? as I say I work over the internet...

Next I also need to know what the monthly costs are for a family, if you do not know the costs for a family of three I would appreciate a general estimate according to prices there, as I do not know the costs of things in India. I know the rent in Vadorada is about Rs6000 - Rs10000, which is fine, but what other amounts will I need to pay out on a monthly basis, no need to go into detail, I just want to know what to prepare for.

Also, what is the health care like? Are there any other things I need to know that you can tell me? Just to let you know... I plan to move in about 7 - 9 months... so I have loads of work to do before then...

I hope to hear your experienced opinion soon,

Thanks a Mil
FamilyMan Reply to this

17 years ago, April 19th 2007 No: 17 Msg: #13082 Delete Edit

Kat_M
Kat Marion

N Posts: 4

Hello Familyman. Thanks for posting. To answerr your questions...

(1) Personally, I don't have much experience with the Gujarat area as I loved mostly in Delhi and Gurgaon. The best advise I can give you is to contact the expat community there. It doesn't have to be fellow South Africans. Americans and British people are quite spread out over India so I'm sure you'll find living conditions about Gujarat from them. As for where I lived, Gurgaon is a very nice and safe place to live in (for kids as well). Since Gurgaon is quite know for being an IT c enter of sorts, there are many expats there already and I find that purchaisng imported goods (e.g., foods I am more familiar with, etc.) is easier there.

(2) It is quite hard to enter India based on a business that you aim to establish there. For my part, it was easy because my husband already had a business visa. I took a tourist visa with the reason of accompanying my husband. Once there, that's when I started establishing a home-baed 'Indian' business. I suggest you - alone - enter India first on a tourist visa and see your business prospects there. You cannot just work from home. Even if your business is conducted over the Internet, you still need to establish it as a company with legal permits from the necessary Indian govt agencies. Once you do, it will be easy to bring in your family.

(3) Shopping costs just about Rs3,000 and that would be for 1.5 weeks or even 2 weeks. Fruits and veggies are unbelievably cheap there so you really get a lot for your money. Our water and electricity costs hardly go over Rs500 per month.

(4) Healthcare. I guess this is a matter of perspective. Being Europeans, my husband and I obviously have quite different expectations when it comes to hospitals, doctors, etc. This does not mean to say that healthcare sucks there. No. But you do have to FIND the doctor and hbospital that really suits you and your family. Again, hooking up with an international or expat community is best as referrals from them are usually what you will be used to.

I hope the above helps you!

All for now,
Kat
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16 years ago, August 26th 2007 No: 18 Msg: #18482 Delete Edit

AshleyL
Ashley

N Posts: 1

Hi Kat,

I'm a 28 year old professional in publishing, American but living in London, and am moving to Mumbai next month for 6-8 weeks to do a work placement at Vogue India which is launching this month. I've got a network of friends of friends who live there and are trying to sort out accomodation so I think I've got that under control. This may be an odd question, but my job at Vogue will only be paying a small stipend, it's an internship of sorts, so i'm trying to find extra work as I've heard Mumbai is an expensive city. I've done this before and moved to other countries and have been able to find part time work by tapping into the expat community. I guess I'm just looking for American or British corporations such as law firms or finance groups who could use someone in the evenings who is well versed in Microsoft Office, that sort of thing, or even domestic help such as babysitting, am open to anything though. Hope you don't mind me knocking on your door, as it's only 4 weeks away, I'm asking anyone i can find! Any advice you could offer would be great.

Many thanks.

Cheers,

Ashley Reply to this

16 years ago, October 8th 2007 No: 19 Msg: #20602 Delete Edit

Karen R
Karen Rodriguez

N Posts: 1

Hi Kat,

Can you give me any info about the expat community in Kolkata? I'll be living there for about 2-1/2 months doing dissertation research. I'm an (older-40s) American graduate student, willing be living in Ballygunj or thereabouts. My actual living arrangements are still in process with the American Institute there. Also, I'll be in Delhi from mid-January to end of May, so any info about the expat community there would also be great. Think I'll be in Defence Colony, but again living arrangements yet to be finalized. Thanks for your help! Reply to this

15 years ago, May 8th 2008 No: 20 Msg: #34627 Delete Edit

MAF
Lisa Murray

N Posts: 2

Hi Kat,
Can you give me any info on schools in Gurgaon? I have a 13year old son and a 9year old daughter. My husband's job will be in Gurgaon, would it be a terrible commute for either children or husband to live in Vasant Vihar maybe and work in Gurgaon and school at the British School in Delhi. Or can you suggest somewhere to live that might be halfway for both husband and children? Schooling is really important and would like the children to be with other Westerners. If you can help that would be great. As I am feeling a bit lost at the moment....
Thank you Reply to this