India as a destination is a bright and vibrant country with a diverse mix of cultures and people. Located in southern Asia, India is home to the second largest population in the world comprising various religious and ethnic groups.
So what can you expect if you’re thinking of moving to India?
Depending on your background and where you’re coming from, you’re likely to find that many things in India are vastly different from what you’re used to.
When you move to India, you’d be wise to spend some time getting used to the Indian culture and adjusting to new ways of doing things, rather than trying to change the reality around you. Wherever possible, be an observer and try not to impose your cultural judgments too quickly.
Emerging economy
India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and therefore is a lucrative investment destination for many corporations from around the world. The sixth largest economy in the world is also a thriving job market. It is believed that around 30,000 expatriates currently reside in India and the number is only going to increase in the coming years.
The major industries absorbing expatriates in their fold are construction & engineering, financial services, telecom and information technology.
Cost of living
Expats in India earn one of the highest average incomes in the world according to the HSBC Expat Explorer Survey. A vast majority of the cities in India offer very good standard of living for a relatively low cost and expatriates in India do live the ‘affluent’ lifestyle. Expats who negotiate a lucrative relocation package in India can often afford luxuries that they wouldn’t be able to at home like maid services, chauffeurs and having home-cooked lunches delivered to the office.
Given India’s geographical expanse, cost of living does vary among the cities. Mumbai and Delhi will have a higher cost of living as compared to cities like Chennai, Pune, Kolkata and Bengaluru.
Accommodation is likely to be an expat's biggest expense in India, with property rates in New Delhi and Mumbai being particularly expensive. However, education, healthcare and entertainment costs would work out significantly cheaper than in the western countries.
Language
India is a linguistically diverse nation and there are as many as 23 official languages recognized by the Constitution. While Hindi is the official language of the central government of India, English is the provisional official sub language and is used as lingua franca. Though English is the major language of the trade and service sectors, it is helpful to know and learn a few common phrases in the local language to get along with people on the street, cab drivers, shopkeepers and the like.
Climate
India is a country with diverse weather patterns. The climate of India comprises a wide range of weather conditions across a large geographic scale and varied topography, making generalizations difficult. Analyzed according to the Köppen system, India hosts six major climatic subtypes, ranging from desert in the west, to alpine tundra and glaciers in the north, to humid tropical regions supporting rainforests in the southwest and the island territories. Be prepared for high temperatures and humidity, no matter where you go.
Lightweight cotton clothing is advised throughout the year, with an umbrella or raincoat for the monsoon season. A sweater and warmer clothing is advised for cooler evenings. Warmer clothing is advised for the northern mountainous areas of India, which can have quite cold winters.
Indian city guides
Crown Relocations has offices across all major cities in India and our team of experienced destination service specialists can help expatriates seamlessly settle in their new destination. Read our destination guides to gather all the practical information you need to get started in a new location. For any query or information, you can get in touch with us on +91 8080 322322 or place an enquiry here.