Digital Nomad Life in India

"Learning the traditional handicrafts and culinary classes, the expats club, the Local city clubs for networking, joining Red Cross and other NGO"s who have volunteers from school and colleges, working for the masses and improving the quality of life," remarked one member in Hyderabad.

"Expats living in India often join churches, sports teams, and local meet-up groups to connect with other expats. Additionally, many embassies and consulates host monthly social events where expats can meet and network with each other. Expats can also attend cultural and educational events hosted by universities or cultural organizations. Many expats find that the best way to meet people is to volunteer with a local charity, as many volunteers are fellow expats looking for a chance to meet other like-minded individuals. Lastly, joining local social media groups or discussion forums can be a great way for expats to connect with each other and share their experiences in India," explained one expat living in India.

"In 2010 we moved from New Zealand to Bangalore for my wife to take up a teaching role, along with us we brought our youngest son who was 9 at the time. We enrolled him in Trio World School (now Trio World Academy) where my wife was teaching. The school was a lot like being part of a large extended family, friendships were forged that have lasted till today and I expect beyond. At the time Trio being a International School following the Cambridge curriculum was an excellent fit and provided an incredible foundation for our son's future. Today Trio offers Cambridge and IB Curriculum's at Trio World Academy, ICSE Indian curriculum at Trio World School and world class kindergarten care at Trio Tots. I would absolutely recommend this school to parents wanting to educate their children in Bangalore," said one person in Bangalore.

"Living as an expat or digital nomad in India can be quite a rewarding experience. With its vibrant culture, bustling cities and mesmerizing landscapes, India offers a lot to explore and experience. Accommodations are generally affordable, making it relatively easy to find a comfortable place to live. Expats and digital nomads enjoy having access to a wide variety of delicious cuisines and frequent opportunities to travel and explore. While obstacles such as language barriers may present challenges, with perseverance and a bit of effort, it is possible to adjust to living in India. Connecting with the local community, making an effort to participate in traditions and festivals can make the transition much smoother and more enjoyable," explained one person living in India.

"Basically, in India, daily life revolves around five quadrant i.e family, work, religion, self and socializing. But for the past few years the younger generation are more focused on work and being financially secured, unlike the older generation who had a higher level of contentment," said one expat in Hyderabad.

"One way to find a place to live in India is to use online resources such as real estate websites and rental listings. Additionally, you could consider utilizing local networks and contacting real estate agents directly. You can also look to newspapers and magazines in your area or utilize social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, to get an idea of what areas are popular and suitable for your needs. To narrow your search, consider what type of housing you are looking for (e.g., flat, house, apartment, villa, etc.) and the area that you want to live in. Additionally, have an idea of what you’re looking for in terms of price and amenities, such as access to markets, hospitals, and other services. Finally, don't forget to chat with locals who can often give valuable advice and can provide resources that would be harder to find online," remarked one member in India.

"We had the services of a relocation firm who lined up a lot of places to look at. We didn't plan it, but we lucked out as unlike a lot of the usual expat colonies in Pune, once our driver has gone for the day we aren't confined at home or relying on autorickshaws. It is a short stroll to some very good restaurants, and a couple of blocks to the local supermarket and plenty of other stores whilst still being a quiet neighborhood," explained one expat living in Pune, India.

"We actually paid someone before we came to set up our home. But, in my husband's business that is something that we do. Locate and set up housing for foreigners in India. So, we base it on location to malls, stores, and other places we find expats like to frequent. We also, consider the place of employment along with cost," said one person in Ahmedabad, India.

"I would recommend it highly. The weather is amazing. Infrastructure is something that needs improvement, but overall its a thumbs up," said one person in Pune.

"Shopping at the smaller shops is fun. Mostly prices are marked and we often go with friends who also make sure we don't get unduly ripped off. We food shop at a variety of places. If we are hungry for some home-style food then high priced supermarkets that cater for expats have to be used. Mostly, we use the smaller supermarkets that locals use (often with helpful tips from neighbors who tell us what time fresh veg is delivered so we can time our visits. We also often buy from markets and street vendors. Naturally, we wash the produce thoroughly. We always buy flowers from street stalls. We find that quality and life of the flowers is invariably better than from the supermarket back home. The people are mostly very friendly and also openly curious. That's different to westerners but also enjoyable," explained one expat living in Pune, India.

"One of the most challenging aspects of the local culture that expats in India find is the need to adapt to a more conservative lifestyle. This includes covering up when out in public, dressing modestly, and addressing people formally. They may also find that interacting with locals can be more complex than in their home culture, as it is important to understand the numerous social hierarchies and norms that the Indian culture is built upon. Expats may also struggle with the plethora of customs and religious beliefs they are exposed to while living in India," explained one person living in India.

"I work from home and this helps. I do miss being part of a small community and family," said one expat in Mumbai.

"how cheap it is, lack of respect for others, extreme inefficiencies, lack of cleanliness," remarked one member in Mumbai.

"The status of women - despite equality being spoken about, it's clearly not reached everywhere and every strata of the society. I've been harassed in Delhi and here in Mussoorie, and the fact that as a white woman I'm stereotyped, and thus don't feel safe walking alone, is awkward. Wearing local clothes and speaking some Hindi helps, but not always enough," explained one expat living in Mussoorie, India.

"Language. Having to plan quite carefully for evenings and weekends. We (and most expats) have a driver and once he has gone home we are restricted to the local neighborhood. We are fortunate insofar as a lot of restaurants and shops are within walking distance but we have colleagues who are pretty isolated once their driver goes home. We miss being able to be spontaneous and just go for a drive later in the day, or just go to a restaurant the other side of town or have an evening drive to the hills to watch the sunset. We miss that quite a lot," said one person in Pune.

"If you are planning to stay in India for a while, you will need to get a visa. Depending on the length of time you plan to stay in India, you may be eligible for a tourist, student or work visa. You will also need to provide copies of your passport and other relevant documents, such as proof of financial stability and health insurance, in order to obtain the visa," remarked one foreigner who made the move to India.

"I asked if our neighbor's daughter would want to babysit some evenings to earn some money (thinking she's right across the hall--her parents home in case of emergency etc). She was keen, but her mother was horrified and said her daughter was too lazy to do that! When I told my friend, she laughed and said child minding at is a very low level job and I probably insulted them. I apologized and made cookies the next day," said one expat in Mumbai.

"You can get elective surgery and other non-critical non-emergency medical treatment in India. The medical care is good and affordable to a US citizen. Of course you have to be selective which hospital and whcih doctor you may want to seek help from. Quality varies," explained one digital nomad living in India.

"Healthcare services in India are provided by both public and private sectors. The public healthcare system in India is largely funded by the government and provides basic healthcare services to citizens at a low cost. The quality of public healthcare in India varies from state to state, with some states providing better quality services than others. Foreign residents in India have access to the public healthcare system, but the quality of care may not be as good as in their home countries. Expats in India may use the public healthcare system, but they may also opt for private healthcare services, which are generally of higher quality," said one member in India.

"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the vibrant culture and friendly people of India. They also enjoy the low cost of living, which allows them to stretch their budget further. Additionally, the country offers a wide variety of cuisine, from traditional Indian dishes to international fare. On the other hand, expats and digital nomads may find the heat and humidity of India difficult to adjust to, as well as the language barrier. Additionally, the infrastructure in some parts of the country can be lacking, making it difficult to access certain services," remarked one member in India.

"Pondicherry is a wonderful city.. you can do as much or as little as you like.. the French institute offers activities and social events and the city is easy to get around.. White Town is the nicer area to live and many home and apartments have a sea view.. keep in mind it is very hot and humid in their summers.," explained one expat living in Pondicherry, India.