New To New Delhi

agalani

Hi- I (F/31) just moved to New Delhi about a week ago and will be in New Delhi or outside New Delhi near Sonipat for the next year. I am staying in Vasant Kunj and would love to meet other expats. Don't have a car/driver- am I going to need one?

dillichaat

Welcome!

For meeting others (not just expats), check out the Delhi meetup thread. Anyway, you're in an area where many expats live, you could also enroll in a club called the Delhi network, they hold regular meetings (as those are during office hours, you won't be able to go if you're working though). My wife tells me it's a nice club.

For the car: 'need' depends on many factors, not the least your financial resources. If you're here for a year, better imho not to buy one but to rent a car plus driver from one of the many taxi stands. I've been doing it this way for the last year and it works ok, not great but doable. For a small car with driver, based on 8 hours/80 km per day it costs me about 25000 Rs/month. If you do this, make very definite agreements on the driver, at that price you won't get a guy who speaks oxford english or any english at all, I'm afraid. The advantages of this setup are that you just pay and there it stops: in case of accident/breakdown/maintenance you're off the hook and the drivers' salary is paid by the company (although they will, of course, try to get you to tip them).

If you get a car as an expat, the driver alone will cost you between 6500-10000 Rs/month (the higher end will get you an english-speaking one, the lower end a fool who doesn't know the way), then there's fuel, insurance (all but worthless if an uninsured and penniless driver bumps into you) and maintenance.

General tip when dealing with staff: make everything very clear from the outset and tell them that if they want to work for a foreigner (and hence make more for less work than with a local), they'll also have to dance to the foreigners' tune and dispense with the antics to which local employers are used ( being late or not showing up, no 2000 holidays etc).

good luck!

__________________
When the wise man points out the black hole, the fool looks at the finger.

sa_ill

Lol!

I second what dillichat said. When you get a driver, they'll generally get on top of your head, make everything clear cut with them before you hire them.

delhi_hunk2009

I guess a car is really necessary in delhi..even if its a used one. Moreover, expats may face probs while negotiating with public transport handlers..

KateW

Welcome to Delhi

Here is the link to Delhi Network

http://www.delhinetwork.org/

I usually manage without a car just using autos, it was tough at first but now I know a few drivers etc no problem. However the use of a car is so much nicer if you can afford it.

Also PM me re any interests, things you want to do etc. and I can try and out you in touch with what goes on in the ex-pat circle in Delhi.

BTW I'm not young and happening but ask and I'll do the best I can.

Cassi_P

Hi Agalani,
I've been in Delhi for the last 7 weeks and would love to meet a fellow visitor. I'm really keen on doing some sight seeing and stuff but it's impossible to do as a single female.
So I can't PM at the moment but I"ll try to rack up a few more posts so I can btw f/24.

Katkoeta

Hi Agalani,
I am 33, married and have a son. I live near Vasant Kunj, my 3 year old goes to school there. If you're not working, come one Tuesday morning to the delhi Network coffee morning at the Hyatt; you'll meet lots of people there.
I don't go always, but when I go I could pick you up the first time and we go together

agalani

Cassi P and Katkoeta- thanks for the replies. Unfortunately the Tuesday coffees are impossible for me given my work schedule. Cassi P, sight seeing sounds great. I don't think I have enough posts yet either, but will PM you once I do. Thanks.

traveller.1

Agalani, I come to De;lhi often and use a call taxi. They charge I think 4 hours or 40 KM for rs600. or 6 Hours 60 Km for 900. or just plain rs15/KM. I use them all tyhe time. I dont have to deal with a driver. They are clean fairly nice and with AC. Unless you need a car all the time this isa good alternative.

harsha

Hello Ami, I was just wondering if you are working at the Jindal Global Law School. I heard so many good things about it and being a lawyer I am also keen to check out the institution.

If you are in Delhi for long periods of time then you would need a driver. If you are just here for weekends or so then you can have a full day cab and and be done with that.

Have a good day.

Harsha

MonkeyBoy4u

Welcome to Delhi and Welcome to India Mike !

Vasant Kunj is a nice place to stay in, lots of expats and entertainment options nearby. In case you are travelling within Vasant Kunj you can easily do with an auto.

Also here is link for the meetup thread, I have never been to one, but going by the thread they have lots of fun there

New Delhi Meetups

__________________
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference

~ Robert Frost

sashanu

hi great to be in delhi welcome.....most happening city in world...i d been all around the globe..but if u wanna taste celebration..deli is the place... if u need any information pls do ask...vasant kunj is a good locality to put up..near by so many good happening places..

dillichaat

Look, I realize it's Diwali (btw: happy Diwali to all! but if you believe Delhi is the most happening city in the world then I'd invite you to broaden your horizons.... There are worse cities, that's for sure but I don't exactly have to walk around my office for hours, pondering the question before being able to name some more 'happening' places.

jituyadav

There are two kinds of statement, one made just for the heck of it and other with firm belief. I am sure you understand that it was the former . Happy deepawali to you too

__________________
I started with nothing and I still have most of it!

fruitcake

hello, and welcome to delhi!

i think it basically comes down to a question of convenience. you can certainly manage without a driver and your own car, but it's definitely so much easier not to have the hassle of sorting out your transportation everywhere, especially if you're venturing somewhere further afield. that said, as others have mentioned, having a driver and car can come with its own set of issues! i have a driver and use autos on his days off. maybe you could see how you get on without a car/driver for the first month and then decide.

p.s. hoping to sneak in on this sightseeing opp if i can? i just moved here in september and haven't had a chance to see much yet. am f/25 and definitely up for an explore around delhi