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," said one expat who made the move to Hyderabad.

"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," explained one foreigner living in Bangalore, India.

"For the working partner, life revolves around work and related socalizing. However, there is plenty to do in terms of sport clubs, Movie Clubs, Toast Masters Club, etc..," said one expat in Pune.

"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," remarked one member in Pune.

"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," explained one expat living in Ahmedabad, India, India.

"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," said one person in India.

"We had a residence provided for us, however there are *lots* of real estate agents in town," said one expat who made the move to Mussoorie.

"To get in touch with someone who has been or knows somebody in that city, before and after coming, as Indians are generally very hospitable and like to help others, The fact is that almost every second household has someone from the family settled abroad ( Worldwide )," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Hyderabad.

"There is a cheerful religious freedom that I have never seen anywhere else - Sikh gudwaras next to Muslim mosques, Buddhist temples, Christian churches, Hindu temples. The variety of food, particularly vegetable-based, is great: even if you're not vegetarian, it's worth trying and usually tastes better than the meat dishes," said one person in Mussoorie.

"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," said one expat who made the move to Pune.

"Expatriates in India often appreciate the country's vibrant culture, plentiful customs and traditions, and welcoming hospitality. They are often fascinated by the variety of unique cuisines, languages, and dialects present in India. They are also impressed by the religious diversity and tolerance that exists in India, as well as the country's great history and heritage. Additionally, many expats appreciate the colorful festivals, traditional music, dance and other art forms found in India," explained one foreigner living in India.

"how cheap it is, lack of respect for others, extreme inefficiencies, lack of cleanliness," said one person 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," said one expat who made the move to Mussoorie.

"I work from home and this helps. I do miss being part of a small community and family," explained one foreigner living in Mumbai, India.

"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 member in India.

"Probably. But none that stick out for us and our hosts were probably too polite to mention them," explained one person living in Pune, India.

"It's all been language based hilarity - the words for /very/ and /ghost/ can be pretty similar," said one expat in Mussoorie.

"When in India, it is important to be respectful of the local culture and customs. To avoid any cultural faux pas, it is prudent to listen to the local community and be mindful of religious and cultural sensitivities in order to foster inter-cultural understanding. It is also important to dress respectfully, meaning that shoulders and knees should be covered. Public displays of affection are also not accepted, and visitors shouldn't point their feet at religious statues or images. Additionally, visitors should request permission before taking pictures of people or religious buildings," remarked one member in 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," explained one expat living in Mumbai, India.

"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," wrote one digital nomad living 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.," said one foreigner in Pondicherry.