Questions re: Moving to India

brewster · Sep 27th, 2006, 11:49

I apologise in advance for questions already asked, however I am looking to move to Chennai for work and have some queries

. Moving as an expat accomodation and a car are payed for, however what is a comfortable salary to live and travel (localy) with - as more than this could be savings and we would like to see if this is possible with the remuneration package offered? (I am 30 & newly married, no children and do not live extravagently, just comfortably and I will assume my wife will not gain employment - for the sake of this question) Also, is there an area in or around Chennai where expats live/congregate where we should try to live? oh yeh, I am from Australia also so an Autralian comment on salaries in India would also be a bonus, however all feedback would be great

.

smallsquirrel · Sep 27th, 2006, 19:38

hmmm no clue about chennai
I live in bangalore

what sector will you be working in? this influences pay scales a lot

In Bangalore, the median range for pay in IT middle management is probably about 8 lakhs a year. With this pay you can live very comfortably here.

Average costs (this is for a pricey part of bangalore, mind you...)

western style apartment (2-3 bedroom, 1500-2000 sq. feet)... 15-25,000 INR/month... much more if you want to pay it. you can get a house for cheaper but then you have to hire your own security. of course you can go smaller and pay much less.

groceries... this can vary a lot depending on how frugal you are. I would say maybe 5000 INR if you're a typical westerner and splurge on some imported goods to make you feel at home (like imported breakfast cereal, soda, etc.)

eating out.... dominoes is probably about 300 INR for pizza for 2... popular but expensive indian eatery chain nandhini will cost you maybe 500 INR for two.... local darshini, masala dosa, idli vada and coffee would be like 25 INR.... typical drink at a bar is usually about 180 INR...brunch at the Leela Palace 1000 INR.. it's all over the map, as you can see

driver.... 5 days a week to and from work if you own your own car might be like 4000 INR/month depending on the market in your area

cook... for less than 1500/month you can get someone to come in and cook all your meals

maid.... well this varies wildly. I have someone come once a week for 3 hours and I pay her 60 INR/week

Nick-H · Sep 27th, 2006, 20:27

Driver, car and rent paid? Maid? Cook? Add another thousand or two for full-time staff, or a few hundred for part-time. You can live on a couple of hundred a day! Less even! Anything more is luxury.

I suspect that where the big expat salaries go is in the big hotel bars and restaurants: if you are not into that lifestyle (or just an occasional treat) life here is very cheap.

Most days staying and cooking at home, Mrs N and I won't be getting through more than a few tens of rupees. Somehow (I still haven't managed to entirely curb my extravagance) our average over time seems to work out at around Rs1000 a day (some people only earn that much in a month), including rent and stuff. We don't have a car. Yet.

PortieOwner · Sep 27th, 2006, 20:54

Do the big software companies pay expat Americans in "local" salaries (rupees and a smaller salary like $10,000/year) or do they tend to pay in dollars and equivalent to what a manager would make back in the US? Seems to not make financial sense if they are paying in IR--in the US I'd be putting at least $10k a year just into savings/retirement.

Portie

Nick-H · Sep 28th, 2006, 00:05

I understand that there are a few locally-employed, senior individuals that get paid the equivalent of what they would get in Europe or USA --- which is surely todays equivalent of living like a maharaja!

If your company sends you here to work, they should surely go on paying you as if you were at home --- plus expenses, of course.

If you come from abroad to work for an Indian company, then they would have to want you very very much to pay you more than a local man: why should they? But I guess it happens.

Shaktipalooza · Sep 28th, 2006, 00:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

I understand that there are a few locally-employed, senior individuals that get paid the equivalent of what they would get in Europe or USA --- which is surely todays equivalent of living like a maharaja!

A coworker of my brother worked out an NRI relo package back to Bangalore. He's on his full US salary, probably around $150k+.

Oh lordy, can you imagine? Helloooooo early retirement...

smallsquirrel · Sep 28th, 2006, 00:12

daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayum! how can I get that gig?

I would be laid up in the Leela Palace every weekend... why? BECAUSE I MISS HAVING A BATHTUB!

Nick-H · Sep 28th, 2006, 01:39

Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiii*

I always rather fancied that Maharajah lifestyle! I could well live without the jewels and stuff, but I'd love a huge house (or two) and lots of staff to do everything.

Oh well. No chance now.

eater · Sep 28th, 2006, 02:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by smallsquirrel

hmmm no clue about chennai
I live in bangalore...western style apartment (2-3 bedroom, 1500-2000 sq. feet)... 15-25,000 INR/month... I would say maybe 5000 INR if you're a typical westerner eating out.... dominoes is probably about 300 INR for pizza for 2... .. it's all over the map, as you can see

driver.... 5 days a week to and from work if you own your own car might be like 4000 INR/month cook... for less than 1500/month maid.... well this varies wildly. I have someone come once a week for 3 hours and I pay her 60 INR/week

Very informative, Smallsqiurrel...thank you, indeedy.

I am trying to figure out one person's monthly outlay IN Mumbai...

This is a good place to start...other "necessities" to add like internet / cable, telephone, gas, light, water ....another 10,000 INR per month? ...would you say ??.. (of course telephone, looking at local calls only).

brewster · Sep 28th, 2006, 06:29

Thankyou so very much for your responses, especially smallsquirrel (very informative) and Nick-H as you have responded to both threads I placed (thanks

). The $ advice is great, atleast I can now work out how much I will spend monthly for living expenses.

kc2 · Oct 4th, 2006, 20:37

Hey, it seems alot of you have moved with a job in place. I will be winging it, moving without a job in place. Any suggestions on possible jobs? I am/was a professional photographer, last year I began living my dream of residing in another country ( China), but ultimately am in love with India.

Sep 27th, 2006, 11:49	#1
brewster brewster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 11	Questions re: Moving to India I apologise in advance for questions already asked, however I am looking to move to Chennai for work and have some queries . Moving as an expat accomodation and a car are payed for, however what is a comfortable salary to live and travel (localy) with - as more than this could be savings and we would like to see if this is possible with the remuneration package offered? (I am 30 & newly married, no children and do not live extravagently, just comfortably and I will assume my wife will not gain employment - for the sake of this question) Also, is there an area in or around Chennai where expats live/congregate where we should try to live? oh yeh, I am from Australia also so an Autralian comment on salaries in India would also be a bonus, however all feedback would be great .

Sep 27th, 2006, 20:27	#3
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,792	Driver, car and rent paid? Maid? Cook? Add another thousand or two for full-time staff, or a few hundred for part-time. You can live on a couple of hundred a day! Less even! Anything more is luxury. I suspect that where the big expat salaries go is in the big hotel bars and restaurants: if you are not into that lifestyle (or just an occasional treat) life here is very cheap. Most days staying and cooking at home, Mrs N and I won't be getting through more than a few tens of rupees. Somehow (I still haven't managed to entirely curb my extravagance) our average over time seems to work out at around Rs1000 a day (some people only earn that much in a month), including rent and stuff. We don't have a car. Yet. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Sep 28th, 2006, 06:29	#10
brewster brewster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 11	Thankyou so very much for your responses, especially smallsquirrel (very informative) and Nick-H as you have responded to both threads I placed (thanks ). The $ advice is great, atleast I can now work out how much I will spend monthly for living expenses. Last edited by brewster : Sep 28th, 2006 at 12:01.

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Sep 27th, 2006, 19:38	#2
smallsquirrel squirrely member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 125	hmmm no clue about chennai I live in bangalore what sector will you be working in? this influences pay scales a lot In Bangalore, the median range for pay in IT middle management is probably about 8 lakhs a year. With this pay you can live very comfortably here. Average costs (this is for a pricey part of bangalore, mind you...) western style apartment (2-3 bedroom, 1500-2000 sq. feet)... 15-25,000 INR/month... much more if you want to pay it. you can get a house for cheaper but then you have to hire your own security. of course you can go smaller and pay much less. groceries... this can vary a lot depending on how frugal you are. I would say maybe 5000 INR if you're a typical westerner and splurge on some imported goods to make you feel at home (like imported breakfast cereal, soda, etc.) eating out.... dominoes is probably about 300 INR for pizza for 2... popular but expensive indian eatery chain nandhini will cost you maybe 500 INR for two.... local darshini, masala dosa, idli vada and coffee would be like 25 INR.... typical drink at a bar is usually about 180 INR...brunch at the Leela Palace 1000 INR.. it's all over the map, as you can see driver.... 5 days a week to and from work if you own your own car might be like 4000 INR/month depending on the market in your area cook... for less than 1500/month you can get someone to come in and cook all your meals maid.... well this varies wildly. I have someone come once a week for 3 hours and I pay her 60 INR/week

Sep 27th, 2006, 20:54	#4
PortieOwner Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 351	Do the big software companies pay expat Americans in "local" salaries (rupees and a smaller salary like $10,000/year) or do they tend to pay in dollars and equivalent to what a manager would make back in the US? Seems to not make financial sense if they are paying in IR--in the US I'd be putting at least $10k a year just into savings/retirement. Portie

Sep 28th, 2006, 00:05	#5
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,792	I understand that there are a few locally-employed, senior individuals that get paid the equivalent of what they would get in Europe or USA --- which is surely todays equivalent of living like a maharaja! If your company sends you here to work, they should surely go on paying you as if you were at home --- plus expenses, of course. If you come from abroad to work for an Indian company, then they would have to want you very very much to pay you more than a local man: why should they? But I guess it happens.

Sep 28th, 2006, 00:12	#7
smallsquirrel squirrely member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 125	daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayum! how can I get that gig? I would be laid up in the Leela Palace every weekend... why? BECAUSE I MISS HAVING A BATHTUB!

Sep 28th, 2006, 01:39	#8
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,792	Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiii* I always rather fancied that Maharajah lifestyle! I could well live without the jewels and stuff, but I'd love a huge house (or two) and lots of staff to do everything. Oh well. No chance now.

Oct 4th, 2006, 20:37	#11
kc2 Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 25	Hey, it seems alot of you have moved with a job in place. I will be winging it, moving without a job in place. Any suggestions on possible jobs? I am/was a professional photographer, last year I began living my dream of residing in another country ( China), but ultimately am in love with India.

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