Cost of living in India (Bangalore)

My plans for moving to India are coming along and I'm at the stage when I need to think about setting up finance. I'd be interested to hear from you a ballpark annual figure I should consider, to live comfortably. The concept of comfort will vary person to person to be sure. To me it means living quietly and
simply, without frivolous luxury. Taking note of Nick's comments in another thread, I've decided to rent, certainly at first. My requirements are few. I'd like a small house or apartment away from the city that I can secure or arrange security for when I'm travelling, a few days at a time. I intend to look at India by train, a trip once a month, say. Otherwise, the usual amenities,
electricity and sewage, computer access, TV and radio, the latter a must. I understand newsagents abound, but it would be nice to have The Times of India delivered every day.

Your thoughts and suggestions much appreciated.

R.

Rough estimates, 15/20000 rupees a month, slightly overdone Indian middle class living for a single person

Apartment (one bedroom) a little far from the city: 6000
(Suggestion, not very far, infrastructure, safety and connectivity issues)
Utilities, including internet, telephone: 2000
Household: 10000, includes occasional inexpensive eating out

Travel, expensive entertainment, insurances not included.
Setting up expenses, inexpensive decent furniture, TV, refrigerator, computer: 150,000

Airconditioner not included, else add 20000 capital cost and another 2000 a month for daily controlled use, say, 5/6 hours a day?

> Taking note of accumulating advice from you guys, I intend to keep to my plan of a six month visit first, hopefully get my PIO status in place, and get the feel of the place(s).

Thanks very much for this, Capt Mahajan, just what I'd hoped for.

(Wait till I post my request for information about riding to India on a motorcycle!).

R.

i will say at least 60 k for a expat. in bangalore, cost of living is either very high or very low.

The OP did say 'living quietly and without frivolous luxury.. though that is also very subjective.

A single person spending 20k a month only on himself/herself in India would still be considered upper middle class, I think.

I'm not sure I get your point. I'm not aiming for "very high" and I'm not interested in "very low". I took Capt Mahajan's estimate of "slightly overdone Indian middle class living for
a single person" as a reasonable base from which to work. Are
you saying I should budget for at least 60,000 because there is a premium attached to being, shall we say, somewhat un-Indian by virtue of having lived abroad?

Also, if Bangalore does prove to be unduly expensive, I'll look elsewhere. I'm not sentimental enough about my place of birth to overstretch my bank account to the extent you suggest. I intend to spend six months in India assessing the possibilities. None of which include spending 60K a month on extravagant accommodation.

R.

upper middle class indian living is still quite modest compared to living standards of UK.

20K per month is good money...Middle class people run families on this budget..

let me try

a decent apartment 15k.
(i am getting this rent for my 2 BHK apartment there)
to be on a safer side lets assume that you eat out

food = 6000 . 100 per meal (30 x 2 meal x 100)

beer etc = 2000 (assuming 50 cans)

misc home stuff - 2000 (toilet papers to chips to whatever you pickup from super market)

if you smoke add another 1000

party etc - 4000

cloths etc - 1000

commute - 2000

-------------------------

you can add or remove from the list and guess how much it will cost

Now if we include the entire cost as well..its Rs.33K......

and I am sure that food and apartment are few things that can be worked out..!!

yes thats why i have left it open ended.
you should also include cost of going home at least once a year. weekend breaks and at least on holiday in a year. some shopping once in a while...

Indeed. I have removed from the list and I guess my cost of living will be in the region of 20K pm.

R.

2 BHK flat means..2 Bedroom, Hall and Kitchen...

I think your main expense will be accomodation. You should budget 10000 rupees per month minimum for a 2 bedroom flat in/around bangalore.
BHK = bedroom, hall, kitchen. usually flats will be describe in BHK as... 2 BHK, 3 BHK etc.

Increasing IT salaries and bachelors sharing accomodation have resulted in skyrocketing rents in bangalore.

all other expenses can be curtailed/managed but not much scope in case of the house rent.

Thanks. I'm hoping to find somewhere small, number of bedrooms incidental. Just one would be ideal. Much as I love my children and grandchidren, I'm loathe to encourage them. If they want to visit grandpa, there are several good hotels close by, I'm sure.