Moving from London to Bangalore?

Hi there

I am currently living in London, UK but have just been offered a 12 month post to live in Bangalore leaving in a couple of months time.

Its both a scary and exciting opportunity but I haven't yet decided if its right for me. I have been offered a salary of 600,000 rupee's a year. What sort of lifestyle can I expect from this Salary. What sort of accommodation would I be able to afford?

I don't know anyone in Bangalore, but would I find it easy to meet people and do fun things at the weekend's and in the evenings?

I am used to a very sociable lifestyle in London and although I am not expecting the same, I am worried I might be lonely.

Any advice would be great!
Thanks in advance

What type of job will you be doing? You'd want to make sure that your salary is at least commensurate with what others are receiving locally for the same work. Also, what kind of lifestyle are you looking to live (size of apartment, what things you like to do, etc.)?

I will be working for a travel consultancy, organising high end trips around India for people from the UK etc.
I like to go out for dinner, go out drinking, sometimes get away for the weekend.
I understand the salary is not an expat salary but need to know i'll be comfortable enough.
I'd be happy in a one bedroom apartment or even sharing with someone else (apartment not a room!).

Thanks for the help!

London Girl, Rs 600,000 per year is about 15000 us or 8000 British a year. That is very littkle money. May be you mean 600000 a month. I wouldnt advise an expat job for so little.

You can find lots to do here, and lots of people to meet. You may find it easiest to join an expat club at the beginning, while you get your feet under you. For the work & lifestyle you've described, I think that Rs. 600,000 is do-able, especially if you're willing to get a roommate. You may want to check www.craigslist.com when looking for housing if you don't already have some leads.

Hey Londongirl9

Welcome to the IM..

Few regulars on here are meeting up on coming Saturday at the Star of India in South Kensigton for lunch around noon and drinks after. We have set menu and it'll be great place to find out about moving to India.. Why don't you join us? I too am planning to move to Bangalore in next few months and it'll be great if you could join us too.

More information about London Meet here..

Hi, londongirl9.

I'm currently working in Bangalore and earning around 800,000 rupees per year, so not that much more than your salary. I was quite worried about finances before I arrived, but took the plunge anyway. I find that I can get by quite comfortably on that salary without really depriving myself of much.

I managed to find a furnished 1 bedroom apartment for INR 8,500 per month in a nice area not too far from my office. The neighbourhood is middle class with a few pockets of working class families. The apartment is nothing fancy, no AC or washing machine, but it's cute, comfortable, airy and clean. I quite like it! If you're willing to share an apartment, you will definitely pay less than I do.

The one difficult thing about accommodation is the 10-month (!) deposit that most landlords ask for. You should try to negotiate a loan from your employers to cover this; it will make things much easier.

I have a mobile, DSL Internet connection, take yoga classes 3 times a week and take occasional weekend trips. I tend to economize during the week and splurge on weekends. I take an autorickshaw to work in the mornings but take the bus home at night. I've never felt like I have to overly restrict myself due to lack of funds.

It's true that you can spend a lot of money here if you want to, but it's not that hard to keep expenditures down. Just be firm about your budget when looking for accommodation. Most people will assume that if you're foreign, you will need the most luxurious of everything or you'll be traumatized. If you're used to sticking to a budget at home, you won't have any problem doing it here.

Despite the traffic, Bangalore is a nice place to live and work. If you really want the experience, my advice is to go for it!

Well it looks like I am the only one who thinks 600K a year is not much. But do consider that the difference between 600 K and the 8800k that the other lady is getting is a 33% difference. That is a lot of difference.

One can survive on very little, but most of us want to do better than survive. Drinks and dinner on a night out can easily set you back 50US or about 25pounds.

If you are young no responsibilities and have a lousy job in england anyway then go for it. But if you have a pretty decent job are educated then be cautious

Agree with everything traveller.1 says except the first 17 words.

out of curiosity - for all expats on this thread...

compare the rent/carpet area of residence/locality/proximity to workplace in BLR as that of the spaces/places you are coming from... is it more or is it 'confining' in india?

and again - costs of eating and drinking out in BLR as compared to them places in the west. [i am talking about ambiance, service etc]

what are the salaries you get 'there' as compared to what you earn 'here'?

i just find it ludicrous [and i do not mean to be offensive] that with 50k a month, in BLR, one can just about get by ?????.
very curious about your lifestyle and accommodation in a big city out there in the west...



:brishti

Hi there
Thanks for all your posts, especially tecolote which I found really helpful.
I get what your saying with expensive meals out etc, but to be honest I earn much less that 600,000 a month in London (!!) and get by just fine. In London it is possible to spend £300 a night on dinner and cocktails but I choose to go to places which aren't so expensive, and I pursume its the same in Bangalore. I also have some sterling savings which I will be bringing with me if I need to use them.

Do you think I will find it easy to meet people in Bangalore? I will be working near Airport Road in Indirnager. Where would be a good place to live?

I'm starting to get excited now!

Thanks again

go for indranagar londongirl
lots of all types of eateries and home shopping there
lovely bungalows of which they rent out the first floor - the groundfloor has the landlord.
great apartments there as well - and very very central.
good luck - have a feeling, you will enjoy yourself there.

just do a check on the bangalore threads here - you'll get to know and then meet them IMers from out of town and sooo much more about the city


:brishti

Hey, londongirl9.

I live quite close to where you'll be working, in Domlur off Airport Road, near the flyover to Indira Nagar. Good places to live would be Domlur or Indira Nagar. I found my apartment through a broker who specializes in those areas and I was quite happy with the service. The commission is one month's rent, but I found the convenience worth the expense. PM me if you'd like his number.

As for meeting people, I don't think it'll be that hard. Your colleagues will probably take you under their wing (like they did in my office). Other expats are most likely in the same situation as you, so it shouldn't be too difficult to strike up a conversation with them, either.

If you can get by in London on less than INR 600,000, Bangalore will be a breeze!

Sorry, I didn't mean less than 600,000 a year, I meant a month which is what traveller.1 inplied!

Thanks loads for all the advise. Was you flat furnished with TV etc? Will I be able to get broadband etc?

Ps. How do I PM on this site?

Click on person's name and you should have an option to send a private message..