Living in Delhi

Living in Delhi, India, can present an enormous cultural challenge and how you experience this amazing city depends very much on how well-prepared you are in advance. The Expat Info Desk’s Delhi Expatriate Guide serves as a knowledgeable and practical resource that tells you everything you need to know about living in this fascinating city.

The high-tech outsourcing boom and growth in Indian Media has seen many expatriates moving overseas to Delhi for work. The multitude of facilities and opportunities available in the city has not only attracted Indians from other states, but foreigners from many corners of the world and this has made Delhi the melting pot of various cultures that it is today. The presence of diplomatic and trade mission, a large number of multi-national companies and foreign investors and a constant stream of visiting professionals gives the city a cosmopolitan air.

Living in Delhi: Expat City Guide

The Expat Info Desk relocation guide to living in Delhi contains comprehensive insights into living in this city and covers the following topics-

1) Living legally in Delhi

While India has a reputation for being bureaucratic and slow, the reality is that life can be very simple, providing you are suitably prepared in advance. Our Comprehensive guide contains full details of the main types of visa available for India, the requirements to obtain them, information pertaining to the formalities that need to be completed before you travel to India and details of what documents you should bring. Relocating here need not be the endless pile of stressful paperwork that people claim it is.

2) Setting up home in Delhi

Finding reasonable, quality accommodation in a good neighborhood in Delhi can still be quite a challenge. Allow us to help you. The Delhi Expat Info Desk relocation guide contains full listings of all popular residential areas in Delhi together with details of nearby amenities and international schools. We provide honest, up-front information about each area, information that will be vital when choosing somewhere to live.

3) Navigating the infrastructure

Though Delhi is, in many ways, a world-class city with international standard amenities, like most of India it is also a city of contrasts—poor infrastructure, frequents power cuts and traffic congestion that are sure to exasperate you even if you live in one of the city’s richer communities. Our guide to living in Delhi contains specific recommendations and practical information to help you navigating this infrastructure, together with phone numbers and website contacts wherever possible. In addition, the guide also provides functional details, such as a monthly budget for an average family as well as information on banking regulations and tax requirements.

4) Having fun in Delhi

We know that an expat's life is not only about work and, for this reason, we have put a great deal of thought into our section on entertainment. We provide full listings of pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants; cinemas, theatres and operas; sporting venues and clubs and nightclubs, together with contact details and locations. We also provide an insight into the expat network in Delhi so that you can find friends, ask for support and start growing your roots.

5) Staying safe and healthy in Delhi

Living in Delhi, the nation's capital has its advantages. Access to excellent healthcare facilities is one of them. We provide full and comprehensive listings of doctors, hospitals and clinics as well as information pertaining to the type and level of health insurance you will require. We also offer valuable advice concerning how you can protect the safety and wellbeing of yourself and your family at all times.

6) Blending in

India is a truly unique country and the cultural differences can initially feel overwhelming. Our expat has lived in India for many years and is therefore in an ideal position to share her knowledge of the Indian culture and social norms. We provide full insights into the Indian hierarchy, traditions and cultural beliefs so that you can be prepared in advance for your move there and avoid inadvertently insulting the people you live amongst.

7) Reality bites

Delhi is a thriving metropolis that can often seem daunting to new arrivals. Through preparing in advance you can ensure that you get the best possible start for facing the challenges that may arise. Our guide can help you to do just that. We’re confident that our insider-view on Delhi will become an invaluable source that will allow you to quickly and easily acclimatize to this sometimes frustrating, most often exhilarating, city.

Your only expat guide to living in Delhi; Feel at home abroad – Fast!

Price of this guide:£19.00 / €22.00 / $29.00

Don't forget you'll receive a 20% discount on our prices if you complete our questionnaire during the purchase process.

About the guide authors

Margot Bigg Margot Bigg had her first experience living abroad when she was just three years old, when she (and her parents) moved from Portland, Oregon (USA) to her father’s native England. She later moved to Paris, where she completed an MA in Contemporary European Studies from Sciences Po before finally shifting her base to Delhi in January 2007.

A professional journalist, Margot has written for a number of publications in India and abroad, including Rolling Stone, Time Out, Outlook Traveller, the Times of India, and the Oregonian. She’s also the author of the Moon Guide to Living Abroad in India, a comprehensive guidebook for expats planning to move to India.

Gulnar Joshi Gulnar Joshi is a professional writer and editor who has been editing magazines for over 15 years through various positions such as Copy Editor, Features Editor, Editor and Redesign Editor.

She loves travelling and has lived in many Indian cities including Mumbai, Chandigarh and Delhi. Gulnar has also lived and worked as an expat in Mexico (Queretaro), Germany (Munich/Wurzburg) and the Philippines (Makati).

Features