New Delhi, India Report of what it's like to live there - 07/04/19
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?
Our family has lived in South Africa, Cuba, Georgia, and USA.
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?
It is 20 hours flying time to the DC area.
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.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Most housing is apartments in town, with 15-30 minute commutes. The Embassy has actively been decommissioning housing with yards from the housing pool. There are a few government-owned houses but few personnel end up in them. New Delhi is not a great place to bring dogs. Street dogs cause issues for many people when walking pets.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Food and supplies are available but it does take a while to figure out where to find groceries on the local economy and shopping can be a time consuming activity. Many people hire domestic staff to do the shopping.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Ship your favorite liquids. If you are picky about shampoo, soap, laundry detergent, etc.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
There are a myriad of different foods available in New Delhi and delivery services are on the rise.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Mold and mosquitoes can be an issue. There have been many cases of dengue fever from the Embassy community over the last couple of years.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Pouch mail at present. Delhi is attempting to acquire a DPO.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Domestic help is cheap and readily available. Many people employee drivers for daily commuting traffic can be frustrating.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Most personnel join the association at the embassy, which has a small gym with filtered air and a pool. There are gyms in town, prices vary.
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?
Credit card usage and ATMs are common and it is generally safe to use them.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
There is a large church that meets w/in walking distance of the Embassy.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Language classes are available and there are a myriad of local languages to choose from. English is the primary working language for most professionals.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
New Delhi is not particularly friendly for people with physical disabilities. The air pollution is a problem.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes. Uber is widely used and inexpensive.
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?
Buy a vehicle once you get to post. There are very goofy regulations regarding registering vehicles in the New Delhi region.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, The internet is typically made available as part of the phone service. It is usually activated when the apartments are made ready for occupancy.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Local family plans are reasonable for in-country cell usage. I recommend getting a local cell number.
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?
Getting pets into India can be tricky as it requires FDA approval from the states, within 10 days of travel. The FDA process is not necessarily clear from the US side. Coordinating shipping through the airlines can also be time consuming. Paperwork on the India side is not too bad but there are fees involved.
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?
EFM jobs are available at the Embassy. Some spouses work with the associated school.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
You can volunteer for various communities boards, activity groups, local charity functions, etc.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
The Embassy is formal but not overly rigid due to the extreme heat in the summer months.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Traffic can be daunting and does not flow the same as western traffic. Vehicles do not maintain "lane discipline" and the buses can be particularly dangerous.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Med evacuations tend to be haphazard depending on who is in the health unit but any serious injury or condition is evacuated.
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?
The air quality seems to be getting better but is still worse than you can imagine. It causes difficulties for a high percentage of personnel.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Prepare to be swollen, itchy, and congested..
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Indian processes can be time consuming and frustrating, this really stresses some personality types.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
It is typically hot or polluted.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Most kids from the embassy attend AES. It has a very nice campus. Sports programs are pretty well liked but are often inhibited by the pollution. The school is very proactive concerning diversity and inclusion issues.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
The campus has a lot of stairs and would be difficult for someone with physical needs. AES is inclusive of students/staff with special mental needs.
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?
In addition to AES, the association at the embassy currently has "apple kids" preschool.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
There is a large community, the US Embassy has been described as a "Mega-Mission". Other countries are well represented as well.
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?
You can find all sorts of adventure and people that share interests if you get out and about enough.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Some singles, couples, families love Delhi. Some singles, couples, families despise every waking minute.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
The western embassies have a large acceptance of LGBT personnel and I have not heard of any problems. Cross-dressing beggars are common in some parts of the city and they seem to be doing fine.
5. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Locals tend to be curious about people from other countries.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Sure, but they tend to be isolated incidents. For the most part Delhi is friendly and accepting city.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
India is a fascinating, huge and entertaining country with all sorts of exotic adventure opportunities. Ancient forts and temples are lying all over the place. Beaches and the Himalaya mountains can provide fantastic and vacations.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
The Taj Mahal is not hidden but most people think it is worth checking out.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Sure, shoppers find all types of locally made art and handicrafts.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
You can find a wide-range of experiences. It is entertaining and you will never feel alone.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
It is basically all apartment living, depending on where you live, walking dogs can be daunting.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Vehicle.
4. But don't forget your:
Patience.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Follow the Drum, Shantaram
6. Do you have any other comments?
Good luck.
