New Delhi, India Report of what it's like to live there - 08/01/10
Personal Experiences from New Delhi, India
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
My third expat experience. Thailand and Bangladesh came first.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
From the US we stopped over in France and then took Lufthansa Airways to Delhi. From there it was around seven and one-half hours.
3. How long have you lived here?
Two years.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
U.S Embassy New Delhi.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Government housing is getting smaller and smaller if you live off post. Housing is a big problem here. It really sucks to be living in Indian houses. FMS is very bad. They do not want to do anything, and management doesn’t care about embassy members.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Groceries are cheap.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Dog food, washing detergent, and toilet paper.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
All the old favorites are here. McDonald's, though without burgers, KFC, and Pizza Hut, but they don’t taste as good as at home. Most are quite expensive, and cleanliness is out of the question.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Mosquitoes and roaches.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Only by Diplomatic pouch.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
It is not that easy to find help. Because of the caste system, one will do only cooking and the other will do only cleaning. It is very difficult to find one person who can do all.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes, there is a good gym on the embassy grounds.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Not many stores take credit cards, especially the smaller stores. We now have many shopping malls, and in these places credit cards don't always work, for some reason. ATMs are common in the expat communities.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Not many, I'm afraid.
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Many newspapers are available, as are magazines. Local ones are very cheap. Overseas papers are here, too, but they come with a hefty price. Cable TV is pretty good; we have lots of channels in English, including HBO, and it's very cheap---around $10.00 a month.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
It's good to know a little, but most locals speak some English in all the shops I've gone to.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
There are not many sidewalks here, and people with physical disabilities would find it hard visiting most of the monuments, as there are usually no ramps.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Trains are dirty, crowded, and full of pick-pockets. They are very dangerous -- even if you don't ride them. They are well known here for killing pedestrians.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
I would not bring a car from the US. The Indian government restricts the importation of left-hand-drive cars. Also, you need to bring a new car. The steering wheel is on the wrong side, and this could be very dangerous here. The lack of parts would be a big problem, too. The bigger the car the better. Whatever car you have, by the time you leave, will be covered in dents. The driving here is the worst I have ever seen.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, again cheaper than home.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
There are many different options here, so just go with the one that suits you.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
No.
2. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
The vets are not what you are used to back home, but there are some good ones. I have not heard of many kennels.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Only very few. There are lots of NGOs here, but the pay is very small.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Men tend to go to work in suits, although in summer they wear short-sleeve shirts. Nobody wears shorts here, so you will get stared at if you do. In shopping malls and expat areas, women can wear Western-style clothes.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Recently some bombings happened in the busy part of the city. There are always big concerns about terrorists. Women get stared at and felt sometimes. Women can't walk on their own in a lot of areas.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Being with the government, we get to use certain doctors. All fruits and vegetables need to be soaked in bleach before eating or cooking. You need to use distilled water for washing your mouth. You need to drink only bottled water.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Very unhealthy. I have never seen pollution like it. Houses get very dirty with a black dust. In winter the locals burn wood, so the air is dense, and people get upper respiratory infection very often.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
It was still a shock to find out how cold it gets in Delhi in the winter. The mornings are very cold. It warms up during the day, and then the evenings are cold again. So bring clothes that you can layer. The summer is, well, HOT! It hits 115F.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
The American School (AES) is excellent, and that is why most people come here. Kids miss the fun of going out and enjoying fast food.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
None.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Kind of okay.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes: pool, bowling alley, tennis, etc.,
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Very large. You will never be able to meet everyone here.
2. Morale among expats:
Most of the time very bad. They want to bite your head off.
3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
People tend to stay home and watch TV.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
No. If you can find some other city in some other country, that will be great.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
NO! If the locals know you are gay or lesbian you will be stoned to death.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Yes, big time. If you are male and white the society looks at you differently.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Beggars, pollution, and vendors.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
One of my favorite things is to go take picture of SPIT ART. This is people spiting all over the place.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
You can get some wonderful pieces of furniture.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
There are no special advantages of living here.
11. Can you save money?
We thought we would be able to save, but it's getting more expensive all the time. If you want to visit other places in India it can cost a fortune.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
NO WAY, JOSE!
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
good clothes. The water you wash your clothes in here seems to wear out your clothes very quickly. Also, leave behind anything that you treasure.
3. But don't forget your:
toilet paper, shoes, and sandals. Trainers, especially, are very expensive here.
4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
5. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
Slum Dog Millionaire.
6. Do you have any other comments?
Don’t come here. Go somewhere where the city is clean and the people are friendly. ANd where the post management takes care of its people.
