New Delhi, India Report of what it's like to live there - 01/03/26
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?
This is my seventh overseas post (6 with DOS and 1 with DoD). I have lived in Augsburg, Germany; Dushanbe, Tajikistan; Gaborone, Botswana; Kabul, Afghanistan; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Moscow, Russia.
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?
Minnesota, USA. It takes a while (22-24 hours) to get back home but I can do it in two flights: Delhi to Amsterdam and Amsterdam to Minneapolis.
3. What years did you live here?
2025 to present.
4. How long have you lived here?
A few months.
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?
This is the second best housing I have had in the Foreign Service after Copenhagen. I have a great apartment in Malcha Marg with green space, excellent restaurants, and it is only a 15 minute walk to the Embassy.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Everything is easily available and you can get it delivered, too.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
None.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Tons of great options for food delivery; zomato and swiggy can deliver anything.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
I am on the fourth floor and have had no issues so far but I haven't been here in the summer yet.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
I use diplomatic pouch which is fine. It takes three weeks to get mail Everything is available at post so this isn't a big deal.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
There are lots of options for household help for a few hundred dollars a month. People have housekeepers, cooks, and drivers. I don't have a car and do great with Uber and tuk-tuks which just cost a couple of dollars a ride.
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 wouldn't ride a bike here. I walk and the walking is better than I thought. I don't have any issues but in my opinion, a woman, especially at night, would be at risk.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
The embassy has one decent gym and one small gym plus an outdoor pool. You can get a gym membership at a gym or at a hotel which comes with other benefits, too. The hotels cost a few hundred a month but are very nice with pools and other stuff.
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?
Credit cards are widely accepted. I usually use my US card but you do need a local bank and debit card to use the delivery services and some other stuff.
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Plenty.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
None.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
The metro is nice if it is available for where you are going. Uber is great for cars and tuk-tuks. Trains are good for closer destinations like Agra.
Planes are the best for most trips in India but IndiGo and even Air India have been having labor shortages lately. This has caused a lot of flight cancellations. The government started enforcing rules for how long flight crews can work. This should be worked out in the next 4-6 months and, hopefully, won't be a long term problem.
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?
You probably won't be able to bring your car unless it is new and right hand drive. I don't use a car but someone with a family would probably want one. It is safe to drive.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
You will have normal internet already at your apartment and can upgrade when you get here if you want to. The normal internet is great for me and the upgrade isn't expensive.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
I use Google-Fi and my work phone. Phone plans are cheap and easy to get.
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?
Lots of people have pets here and seem to not have any issues. I don't have a pet.
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?
There will, hopefully, be plenty of EFM positions at the Embassy once hiring starts up again.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
It is a mix of business casual and suits at the Embassy depending on your position. Dress is relatively casual.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
I have felt safe an comfortable but I don't go to bars and I don't go out late at night. There are some very strong concerns for women due to the reputation for sexual assault in India.
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 good here.
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 are only two real issues at post and they are safety concerns for women and pollution. New Delhi is the most polluted city in the world. It is bad and the only reason why I am debating whether or not to do a third year. The city is great and I enjoy working at the Embassy. Sadly, the air pollution is a huge negative.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
There are lots of nuts if you have nut allergies. The pollution is very bad and can affect environmental allergies.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
The winter here is is a balmy Minnesota summer. I am dreading the heat of the summer.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
I don't think weather is a major concern here except for the air quality.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
I don't have kids but everyone seems very happy with the schools here.
2. 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?
They are available, but I have no other information.
3. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes.
Expat Life:
1. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
There are lots of stuff to do in the city, plenty of expat and embassy clubs and school events. You can do a lot on your own, too.
2. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
I think it is good for everyone.
3. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
I don't know. The locally employed (LE) staff at the Embassy are very nice.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
I don't know but I assume it would be fine for diplomatic LGBT.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Yes, there are ethnic and religious problems in India just like most countries. You won't see it as much in the areas of Delhi you will be in.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
New Delhi is really a great city when the pollution is low. I haven't got out to the rest of India yet but am going to Punjab, Kaziranga National Park, and Mumbai this month and looking forward to Agra and Rajasthan soon. There are tons of great places to visit here: cities, UNESCO sites, and national parks.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
I don't know any hidden gems yet but there are plenty of great things to do in Delhi. The Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, and lots of other historical sites are good to visit and there are lots of markets like Dilli Haat too.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Yes, there are lost of things to buy here.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
The restaurants, food, and historical sites are all great.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
How bad the winter air pollution really is. You read all the reports but until you see it you don't know how much worse Delhi is than all the other big cities with bad air pollution. None of them compare to Delhi.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
cold weather items unless you take a trip up to Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh in the winter.
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?
There are lots of movies and books about India.
6. Do you have any other comments?
Delhi is much, much better than I expected except for the pollution. The consulates don't have the same level of pollution and India is not highly bid on. I think it has become a hidden gem for people who don't mind being in a large, busy, crowded country with lots of great travel opportunities inside and outside of India.
