Hyderabad, India Report of what it's like to live there - 10/11/26
Personal Experiences from Hyderabad, India
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No. We've lived in Peru, Ecuador, Honduras, and China.
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?
We're from Kansas City so travel back home is anywhere from 36-45 hours each direction. It is A LOT. There are direct flights several days a week to London, Frankfurt, and now Amsterdam. Normally, there are regular flights through Qatar and UAE but those are currently unavailable for official travel.
3. What years did you live here?
2024-2027.
4. How long have you lived here?
A little more than 2 years.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Housing is usually comfortably large. The consulate does an amazing job sourcing the best housing they can find with their limited budget. Having said that, there are myriad challenges that can make you crazy. Hyderabad is "almost" the hi-tech city they promote themselves to be so there are quite a few shiny, new apartment buildings around...however you won't live there!
Most singles and couples live in My Home Bhooja, a large apartment community that is anywhere from 20-60 minutes from the consulate, depending on traffic. The apartments are comfortable, offer many services like a temple, a grassy-ish area for walking small pets, walking off dinner, etc. They are also located across the (very busy) street from Knowledge City which has about 10-15 decent restaurants that are frequented by the wealthier locals, as well as near the Ikea. You could walk to either place in 5-10 minutes but the traffic is such that many people opt for tuk-tuks just to keep from getting smooshed by some distracted driver.
There are two other main gated communities that have larger, stand-alone villas that are often occupied by families. These two communities offer differing facilities, but both have their perks. Hill Ridge is about 15-30 minutes from the consulate. Aparna Shangri-La is less than a mile from the consulate and about 5-10 minutes on foot but can be 20 minutes by car during peak traffic! Hill Ridge is a much larger community, has many children (local and expat), has a nice soccer field and small park with tennis courts, etc. Shangri-la is a smaller neighborhood, has a renovated community center to include a brand new workout room that is quite nice, a pool, a pickleball court, and a playground area. We love our home in Shangri-la, primarily because of the neighbors and we often gather for wine on the balcony, braai at our South African friends' home, Korean pancake making in the home of our Korean friends, or cheese and wine at the home of our French neighbors. It has certainly been nice to build that community without having to leave the cleanliness and the peaceful safety of our neighborhood.
Having said that, the local construction standards do not match that of the US, which could be said about virtually any post. Yet, there is something uniquely challenging here because there seems to be an expectation that these nice villas will be fully gutted and renovated about every 10 years. They are not built to last. They are not plumbed to last. They are not wired to last. Therefore GSO and FAC spends an inordinate amount of team having to solve a million little problems and as soon as they fix one problem, two more appear. Fortunately, the local staff seems to take pride in their work and they really treat you as if your problems matter to them. I have been very grateful for all of their help....but that doesn't eliminate the fact that we've had a bidet line burst and flood the first floor, rainwater flood the second floor, and another pipe burst and leak onto a third level of our home. We've had electrical issues and I have completely fried 4 security cameras, 3 wifi extenders, and 2 ACS units due to the electrical surges. It certainly can wear you down. However, when I feel blue, I just drown my sorrows in fresh mango from my yard and a fantastic group of neighbors.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Groceries are odd here. You CAN get local fruit and veg pretty cheap but it is filthy. We wash everything in bleach water. Fortunately, we have enough green space that our gardener has planted a "salad garden" for us so we get regular greens that are much safer to eat with minimal cleaning. My romaine grows year round here, which is nice. I usually order my produce from Swiggy and Instamart simply because it is fresher and in better condition upon arrival than buying it at a grocery store, however it is not the most economical option. Regardless, food is cheaper here and you can save money if you don't eat out often. Eating out at non-Indian restaurants is a slow drain on the pocketbook, for sure. There are a few grocery stores that feel Western-ish so you can shop with a proper cart and find everything in one place instead of going to a variety of stores to get the basics. Qmart has a variety of produce that is fine, a decent refrigerated section, a small international section with weird things like $12 peanut butter, $5 canned black beans, $15 Fruity Pebbles....all just a few steps away from $.30 yogurts and $4.00 freshly squeezed juice. LuluMart has two floors that include a wide variety of bulk dry goods, a butcher, seafood, a bakery, a deli, etc. however, they have recently received some bad press for health violations....but I feel like that is just the norm here. There is also a swanky shop called Food Story(ies?) with stunningly high prices for imported goods. I once spent $20 there on two sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving, but they were worth every penny. If you have household help, they will probably go to local shops for chicken, veg, spices, etc. for all the curries they will make for you.
There are a few local imported food buyers groups on WhatsApp and people will coordinate bulk purchases of meats and produce. Ask around your neighborhood or consulate community and they will be able to get you connected to the WhatsApp bulk purchase groups. Our community sends out a little message to let us know when a produce guy is coming to the neighborhood.
Also, do not expect beef anywhere. Even if they sell you "beef", they mean "buffalo". The buffalo is quite gamey and is heavily seasoned to mask the natural flavors...but if you put enough taco seasoning in it...it's passable. Just manage your expectations. Pork sausage is unavailable so we buy pork mince and mix it with a breakfast sausage seasoning from home. It scratches that biscuits and gravy itch.
Household supplies are usually cheaper. The quality is fine, but rarely is the quality particularly good (I'm looking at you, Dish Soap). Paper products are fine but less absorbent (napkins, towels, tp, etc) and you pay less for that lower quality. Western goods are quite expensive and it is hardly worth buying anything in the exchange unless you just feel like lighting your money on fire so you can buy expired ketchup.
There are absolutely ZERO acceptable deodorant or anti-perspirant products here. Just trust me and bring them from home. Shampoos and conditioners can feel like they build up in your hair along with the heavy mineral content of the water. You will need a good clarifying shampoo so you may want to bring it from home also.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Taco sauce, salsa, barbecue sauce, Italian spice mix.
Deodorant, feminine hygiene products, paper towels.
Bluing solution for our formerly white laundry.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Great food choices! First of all, there are tons of Indian food options. It's usually good and cheap. We walk to Tiffin Depot at our community entrance and fill up on savory dosas, dessert dosas and mango lassis for about $10/family of 4.
When you need a break from Indian food, there is a wide selection of fun takeout options and they are reasonably priced. California Burrito is a Chipotle knockoff, Cafe Eclat is a delightful French bakery, Yummy Bee is almost exclusively gluten-free, Chili's at InOrbit Mall gives you a pretty American taste of home, Leon's Chicken (Chik-fil-A meets KFC) is particularly amazing when you get home from one of the consulate happy hours, Domino's tastes like home as long as you're not too picky about chicken pepperoni, Hard Rock Cafe in Knowledge City is supposedly closing but they've said that for a while now, Maoi is a total IG-worthy restaurant with koi swimming around the little streams scattered throughout the restaurant and delicious small plates, Toscano is an Italian that some people enjoy, Baan Pad Thai in Knowledge City is fabulous...plus a zillion Indian places all over the city! Most of the restaurants mentioned are maybe slightly less than US prices, but they really cater to the wealthier locals and expats and you pay for that privilege.
Notes: you think you like spicy food, I'm sure, but just give everyone else the benefit of the doubt that first time you try Hyderabadi Biryani and ask them for light or medium spice. Please just believe every single one of us when we say...it's not the same spicy that you think you're good with. Sometimes it seems like the local food is spiced with the sole purpose of melting your face off.
There is no reason to go hungry here. Indians love to eat and they love for you to eat. Try all of it!
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
We have two cats so perhaps they've kept the bugs at bay, but we really haven't had too many problems. However, I have heard of cockroach problems so brace yourself. We had a few pantry moth issues but I stopped storing my flour products in the cupboard and started keeping them in the consulate-provided deep freezer to solve that problem. The other solution I found was to open all packages and place them into plastic or glass sealed containers. I look super organized but really it's to prevent insect issues and it has worked for us.
The cat food has been a draw for ants, particularly during rainy season, but usually the Terro ant baits do a decent job of keeping them away.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
We receive mail and packages via pouch because it is cost-prohibitive to use US mail via Delhi.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Household help is a little overpriced here if you actually want someone to clean. It's a common problem and I've never heard so many complaints about the quality of the work with numerous friends abandoning any hopes of having a skilled housekeeper...opting to just do the housework themselves.
However, I think nannies are invaluable here. My children are older so we never needed one but many families get tremendous benefit from having dedicated help with their children. I do not know the prices, but it is such that some families have two nannies so it can't be that expensive.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
I think our housing communities are very safe and I have a 13 year old that rides his bike alone in our community at 11pm-12am (he does online school at night and has a reversed schedule). However, the safety of exercising outside of the community is more risky based on traffic and infrastructure issues. The pollution can hinder the outdoor activities as well as the heat makes it pretty darn miserable to be outside in the baking sun during the daytime hours for most months.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
The consulate has a small, but well-maintained gym that is free. Aparna Shangri-la has a nice gym that is also free. I do not know about other gyms.
However, a lot of people play pickleball at a place near the consulate. There is a Hash House group here but they are heavy on the social and light on the running. A few members are active runners but they mostly walk and enjoy one another's company. If you ever run into any of the Hashers here in Hyderabad, I strongly encourage you to hang out and chat because they are super friendly and welcoming.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
We use our US credit cards most places, however sometimes you will find a smaller business who insists they don't take credit cards because they do not want to pay the fee. We rarely use cash but can access it easily at the consulate.
The bigger challenge is the UPI codes. I don't understand why, but, if the accredited diplomat sets up a local bank account and adds their partner, you both get a debit card, but only one person can access the UPI system. Therefore, I have been stuck at businesses before who say they can't accept a credit card, only UPI, but I cannot use the UPI because it's only available on my husband's phone. I don't know why it is that way...but it is a real inconvenience. Keep some local cash.
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Yes, but we chose to avoid the hour drive each way and we just worship as a family at home on Sunday mornings.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
I cannot recall a time I ran into a situation that I couldn't communicate in English. I will admit that it is sometimes embarrassing that I cannot understand the accent very well.
On a road trip to Hampi, I will note that my husband was much relieved to have our driver who could easily communicate with road crews and parking control officers.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes. It is absolutely not ADA compliant, ANYWHERE.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
We use Uber taxis and tuk-tuks regularly with no issues and it is very economical. I have not used any other transportation besides my personal vehicle.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
It is a right-hand drive nation and your car will get scratched. We bought a cheap little Suzuki Ertiga and it has been perfectly fine. We don't impress anyone and I think our driver was a little sad that we care so little about impressing our neighbors...but we're happy. I would not buy a nice car here because it will get scratched and dinged.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Our social sponsors had short-term internet set up for us when we arrived and the GSO staff helped us coordinate with ACT Fiber to transition to our own account. The only internet outages we have suffered have been due to electrical supply issues and fried APC backups/fried wifi extenders.
I don't remember the precise cost, but much less than my $100/month Google Fiber back home.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Getting a local mobile seems to be a necessary evil. India's love for bureaucracy makes setting up a phone, bank, internet, etc. an absolutely miserable experience. However, it's super cheap and reliable once you get it set up. I pay about $3/month for about 30gb of data plus phone service.
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?
We use a local vet and have been happy.
No quarantine was required for our Honduran street cats. They flew as excess baggage in the same carrier from DC to Hyderabad via Qatar and they were well taken care of. We picked them up on arrival in Hyderabad and took them straight home. It was sooooo easy!
In our neighborhood, there are a couple of dogs. People seem to walk them safely but there was an incident in which someone walked their dog unleashed and it attacked another tiny dog. Our consulate community member was bitten in the process of saving her fur baby. The community SEEMED to handle it as well as it could within the neighborhood but local laws/customs are far less strict about owner's obligations for caring for their animals. There are strays wandering the streets but the communities do a good job of keeping the strays away. We have one or two "allowed" stray cats in our neighborhood that seem to be permitted for their rat fighting expertise.
Our community also has a small flock of geese and chickens that keep snakes away. The "vipers" can be a real problem but the geese are so good at keeping them away that I've only seen one snake in my time here and I expected to see more. However, those geese will not tolerate nonsense from your pet so you may want to walk at night when the geese are penned up for the day.
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?
This is the first post I've been at where it seems that the ones who want to work at the consulate, happily find work, and the ones who don't want to work, happily don't work. There is a fantastic women's expat group here that is incredibly active, far more active than I can keep up with. Local employment is incredibly difficult to obtain permission for and the pay is incredibly low.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Yes. I have friends who have volunteered at orphanages and others who are actively involved in serving their community at ISH - International School of Hyderabad.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
In the consulate, ties are worn daily by men and equivalent dress for women.
In public, women usually avoid shorts and miniskirts outside of clubs. I am starting to see that change a little in areas of town where westernized locals shop and eat, but it's still noticeably rare to see a woman in shorts. People stare when my husband wears shorts but I think it's more of a curiosity about visible body hair than anything else. If I had a nickel for every time a massage therapist has asked my sons why they don't shave their body hair, I'd be rich.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
There is still outrageous gender-based discrimination here. Women are still traded like cattle to the highest bidder who needs a wife. Women cannot expect to be safe from gender-based violence, domestic abuse, nor physical sexual assault in crowded places. A female friend, from the consulate community, was groped inappropriately during a massage at a Western hotel chain and another suffered a scarily unsafe interaction with a taxi driver who took her to a dark parking lot and tried to persuade her to spend time with him. The risk is real, but it is greater in crowds or on public transport. Be safe. This is the best part about having your own personal driver.
I feel very comfortable walking alone to and from the consulate, but we are 10 minutes away and in a very busy and brightly lit area. I would not let two of my teens walk alone, but I will walk with them.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care is pretty good for us here, primarily because the Health Unit does a very thorough job of exploring options for us and doing the deep research and developing real relationships in the medical community. Again, the Indian love for bureaucracy can bog down the medical system but it is manageable. By and large, the cost is considerably less expensive here but occasionally you have a US trained doctor who smells blood in the water and wants to overcharge. That has only happened once but I'm still pretty salty about it.
I know of a few women who've gone a little botox mad here due to the low costs.
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?
There is considerable pollution. It was not as bad as winter in Shenyang, but certainly worse than fire season in Tegucigalpa. Air quality has a significant impact on your ability to open your windows during the cool nights or to enjoy nights outside. The outdoor sitting areas are constantly layered in pollution.
Seasonally, during rainy season, we have found mold growing up the walls in one bedroom. Further, when the kids and I left for an 8-week R&R, we came back to fuzzy mold growing all over their bedrooms. Next time we'll leave the AC units running.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
I am gluten-free, non-celiac, and it is a challenge because you never know if anyone has thickened a sauce with flour. However, Yummy Bee makes some lovely baked treats and that has been a delight! Rumor has it that Toscana has a gluten-free pizza crust, but I haven't tried it. You can eat dosa (my favorite), idli, and biryani pretty safely. Since salad is not usually safe outside of your house, it can be a challenge to eat out.
I think nut allergies would be a problem because I believe cashew gets blended into some dishes, but I'm not certain.
A shellfish allergy might be easier to handle here because most Indian shops don't even offer shellfish on the menu.
Vegan is super easy here.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Not in particular, but folks do get a little worn out by the constant noise, pollution, and chaos. "Get out of town early and get out often". Usually, when people say "Get out of town" they mean, "Get out of India". Take advantage of your proximity to UAE or Thailand to get some beef and beaches and you will reset your soul enough to get through the next few months.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Hyderabad is quite hot most of the year. In monsoon season we get rain. Our inland location means that we get occasional storms but more of a gray season with a little rain every day.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
International School of Hyderabad is the only one I know of and we opted to homeschool after interviewing. Nothing specific, but it didn't feel very warm and welcoming and we made other choices. Other consulate families have expressed their love for ISH in elementary school and ISH is acceptable for middle school, but it has not yet found a need to accommodate US high schoolers. They would not accept our 10th grader because she had not come from an IB/IGCSE school so she went to boarding school in the US. By the time our son was ready for high school, he had heard enough horror stories that he opted for boarding school, also.
However, current post leadership is actively working on change at ISH and I feel like there may be some positive changes in the next few years but I would not bring a high schooler that I was not committed to sending to boarding school or homeschooling.
I have homeschooled three children here for some part of their time here, elementary, middle school, high school. The local homeschool community has been very difficult to connect with, mostly because I have a more Montessori/Waldorf style and that doesn't seem to be popular here. When I've been able to convince folks to gather for a group social activity, it's always Sunday mornings at 8:00 am. Local children are under great pressure to perform academically, so it is also difficult to find friends who can come over and hang out, especially if you don't already know them from school. This has been the most challenging homeschooling post I've been to due to the lack of socialization opportunities for tweens/teens. Two of my kids at post have opted for boarding school for, at least, part of their time here.
2. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
There are activities like soccer, badminton, and a few sports at ISH. One challenge has been the traffic and the late night hours for non-school related sports (I think they want to avoid the heat of the day) so we opted out of driving an hour to soccer at 7 pm, playing for an hour, then driving back another hour. Since we made that initial decision, another soccer school has opened up closer to the consulate and our neighbor has enjoyed playing there.
You just may need to do your research to find exactly what you're looking for.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
There is a surprisingly large expat community in Hyderabad. Frankly, the expat community has made this tour for me and it has been easy to find "my people". I especially appreciate the diversity of nationalities because everyone seems to be primed to meet new people and experience new joys. I feel that many of the expats are less obsessive about identifying differences and more interested in discovering common ground. It has been refreshing to get to know so many people who do not care about your politics. They just want to grow friendships. There are monthly coffee meetups, weekly yoga gatherings, regular invitations to art shows, dance classes, pottery classes, book clubs, etc. The women's groups here are so welcoming and social, there is no real reason not to make connections unless you just don't want to. When I'm home on R&R, I miss my friends in Hyderabad and I already dread leaving them when PCS rolls around.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
I've mentioned the Hash House Harriers walking/running group which is quite active and very enthusiastic about getting together socially.
The WhatsApp expat groups require an invitation to join, so reach out to your social sponsor or other EFMs at post. They will get you connected quickly. The main "Girls Time" group has subgroups for travel enthusiasts, Walk and Talk, yoga, movie nights, Zumba, shared reading materials, buy/sell/trade, culture and events, general chat, and a Hyd Survival Guide. Do not miss these groups because they have all the connections and they are delighted to share! There is also an Aquamarine group that bulk buys seafood, a cheese sourcing group, a Life @ Hyd group, etc. There is no reason to not have a full social calendar, if that is what you wish for!
We have found that we get together with our neighbors often and we try to have small gatherings with co-workers often. The Marines at post are usually super friendly and always down to grill out somewhere, workout, go to clubs, or otherwise sponsor little fundraisers for the Ball.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
I think that couples have enjoyed it the most as they can choose to go out or stay in, be social or be cave trolls together, whatever you want.
Single people have given me mixed reviews. I think the Marines and youngest officers have really enjoyed the club scene here and enthusiastic social network.
Families with young children seem to enjoy weekend get togethers at private homes or neighborhood pools. Families with school-aged children seem to do a lot of playdates. Our family is a combination of homeschooled and boarding school children so we tend to get together with friends on weekends or travel. You can spend your entire weekend in the car driving to and from activities and events, so choose wisely.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
It has been the easiest place to make friends that I've found in the foreign service.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
I don't really know. We have a few openly LGBT friends who seem to be split on how good it is here because there is still quite a stigma in certain local cultural groups. Perhaps this is a good place to make friends and build community, but less favorable for dating and romance?
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
My college-aged daughter spent the summer here and mentioned multiple occasions in which an African-American friend was pulled aside and asked to pay exorbitant cover charges for clubs.
We live in a bubble so most religious disagreements have little effect on us, but this is India and they do exist.
The gender equality issue is real.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
This is a great location for local travel. We have gone to Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Abu Dhabi, Malaysia, as well as three R&Rs back to the US. Travel throughout India is super easy, as well.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
The kids really enjoy going to Sarath City Mall and enjoying the arcade, trampoline park, racing track, movies, multiple food courts, Western shops, local shops, Krispy Kreme and Starbucks. There is also another fun go-kart track with paintball, pickleball, small soccer pitch, ropes, food, etc. just down the road from the consulate. We go to Knowledge City for bowling, laser tag, an arcade, and plenty of restaurant choices.
Be sure to visit Goa, maybe overnight on a houseboat in Kerala, see the Red Fort and Taj Mahal in Agra, visit Jaipur, and get out of India for a cheeseburger or a steak in Dubai or Malaysia for about $300 round trip.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Tough question. It's hard to know what's real anymore and I found that many items called "antiques" aren't ACTUALLY antiques...that word is just applied to anything that has been antiqued. There is some fun shopping in Hyderabad as long as you remember that much of it is factory-made, even if it claims otherwise. The art shows advertised in the expat groups are great for getting exposure to a variety of local artisans.
Our best shopping advice is to take a trip to Kathmandu and visit the Tibetan Refugee Center. You can watch the women make the rugs by hand and then go upstairs to choose from a selection of hundreds of rugs in hundreds of styles. Our kids really treasure the rugs they chose for their bedrooms. After a full afternoon of shopping, cross the street to enjoy authentic Tibetan fare and chat with the monks or former monks who share their stories of escaping Tibet as children.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
You can really enjoy your differential here with an abundance of dining choices and relatively inexpensive international travel. The expat community is excellent and the consulate community is close-knit without being cloying. Current post leadership is phenomenal and most people enjoy their work.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
Some people love, love, love this place. I have met numerous people who have intentionally sought to return to Hyderabad and they do everything they can to extend or bid on other jobs at post, etc. You never know...you just might become one of them!
The biggest challenge for us was aging parents and grandparents in the US and we had a rash of family issues that were really difficult to navigate from India, compounded by the challenging travel, our R&Rs became extended visits to deal with cancer treatment, hernia treatment, heart issues, shoulder surgeries, etc. with our aging parents in the US.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes, this has been a good tour for us. We may have only done 2 years instead of 3 because you do grow weary of the chaos and dirt and noise, but overall it has been good.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Weird: I wish I hadn't brought my rugs. The pollution seeps into your home and my rugs have become grossly filthy. We've tried cleaning them with a carpet shampooer but can't let them dry outside because the pollution makes them grey and dirty. We hired Urban Company to come clean them twice but it was a disaster both times. Now I have to pack up my dirty rugs and store them for who-knows-how-long in that condition before I can, hopefully, get them cleaned at the next post.
4. But don't forget your:
A small set of winter clothes...I mean...you may need a coat, hoodies, pants, and boots in Nepal and northern India.
Women's swimsuits because you do NOT want to try to find an attractive one here.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
My teen daughters and I read "Sirens of September" about a 15-year-old girl whose family is politically involved in the 1948 events surrounding the Nizam's attempt to maintain independence from India. It's a lovely, easy read that gave us some quick historical context for the local culture.
"Inheritance of Loss" is a fictional work that compares how the inhabitants of one North India community impact one another's lives, as well as the changing world's impact on their community. In particular, the chapter(s) on the young man's hopes to obtain a visa to the US so he can work are particularly compelling as it portrays, with eerie accuracy, some of the specific visa issues seen at the window today. It also paints a quite realistic picture of what drives the desire to emigrate to the West.
Also, William Dalrymple covers a vast array of Indian historical issues...you could read anything of his and gain a completely new understanding of India's history.
6. Do you have any other comments?
Hyderabad is hard but you can enjoy it. I have enjoyed my time here but I completely see why some people cannot wait to leave. My departure will definitely be bittersweet.
