Retiring in Bangalore

Britbat

I'm 64, retiring next year (in UK) and contemplating moving to Bangalore, where I was born.

I like to read and write, listen to the radio, watch a little TV, ride bikes (I want to experience a Bullet!) More importantly I like to see, talk about, write about and argue about cricket.
I saw Sachin's fine hundred at the India V England A match last month at Chelmsford (flashes of brilliance, sure, but like me the kid is fractionally slower on his pins - still beautiful to watch, though).

Any oldies reading? Or youngies even, if you have any thoughts.

Robert.

karthik_mitta

Robert.. thoughts about what.. your retiring? your preference of Bangalore? your interests and hobbies? Channelize my thinking... or I can be very random

__________________
KM

In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds - Martin Luther King Jr.

Prashant.M

Have you been to Bangalore or any of our cities lately? If not, then stay for a few months and then decide.

__________________
Happiness is just a thought away

shashank.aggarwal

I guess you have already started the Argument

Sachin has been playing in the international team for last 18 years and is playing cricket before that. And he is 34 years only.

I guess he has risen above the level, where we can even talk about this weak points...whatever the fate of the game..however this man has changed the way we look at it forever...

There are times when millions like me watch cricket only to see him bat...he is the joy of our lives..when he gets out..the game ends for us...

No one has ever looked at this angle...however it just struck me...If we talk about a name, which has added maximum number of fans to the game..It would be Sachin..

__________________
Travelogue - Around India
Random Reviews

Britbat

Hi Karthik. Random would about cover it at this stage. But no, I'd like to hear what you, people, think about me retiring to India. To Bangalore specifically, for the weather and a possible feeling of "home". My children and grandchildren are pretty much set up and can afford to visit the old boy so I thought I'd root around in my er roots. Family name Rozario on mother's side, so Portuguese in there somewhere. Not a close relationship over here with now dead Anglo-Portuguese-Indian family members.

I've been to India a couple of times with Thomas Cook but that's how you observe a culture, not how you absorb it. Or become absorbed by it. I'm learning Hindi. Should be conversational in a year (spoke it pretty well when I was chota, definitely knew how to swear, all a bit vague now but surprisingly deepseated).
I intend to learn to write some Hindi also, but that will be a longer task. My degree is in Modern History (1964) but here I'm merely proposing an idle intellectual exercise. No need to be formal, people. I won't be marking your essays.

R.

Hello Prashant. I haven't been to Bangalore since I was five! My longest visit to India was about six years ago with TC visiting the seaports from Mumbai to Colombo (I'm interested in ships and the sea). I do intend to visit first on a six month visa next year but the truth is I'm disillusioned with life in Europe, and the UK is changing by the day. My London changed so much I sold up and came to live on the East coast when my wife died five years ago. It's such a dreary trip for the family to visit me here(you note my cunning plan?) that I think they may as well fly out to India if they want to see me. I'm not a great nationalist or indeed family man. I prefer the possibilities of potential friendships. It's not a whim, by the way, coming to India. I have given the idea much thought.

R.

Britbat

Hi Shashank.

Not yet an argument, I hope. Certainly I agree with your sentiments. I first heard about Himself twenty years or so ago, and I first saw him in England a couple of years later. Oddly enough he was brilliant in the field that game and took an amazing catch on the boundary. It is, as you suggest, almost unseemly to discuss his failings, but, only 34 though he may be, he looks slightly vulnerable at the crease these days. I have been one of those millions who go to see him bat, listen to TMS
commentary on an innings, or watch him on TV. Sachin is in my top ten, for sure (near the top!).


As I mention elsewhere, I'm not interested in nationality, only in quality. David Gower gave me goosebumps. You always knew he was going to be distracted at any minute and pop one up, but how sublime in the meantime to see him stroke a ball to the offside boundary. Muri bowling is a sight to see, and you have to stifle your opinion about that suspect action. Warney on the attack, what a thrill. Goochy is the coach at ECCC down the road here - and you guys will have cause to remember him! Look how he has brought on young Cooky. I could go on . . ..

Yes, we are a little odd, you know. We cricket people.

R.

karthik_mitta

Dear R.

Welcome to India, Bangalore and IM.

Bangalore.. city of trees and green... still lives up to its name (to a certain bit). I love it when I am driving around and see these tree canopies over the roads.. its simply lovely.

Bangalore as a city is very open to diverse cultures and people. This is one of the reasons for the city's enormous growth over the last few years. The traffic is bad, but it isnt great in any big cities in India. There are many gated colonies.. you could even move futher down towards Mysore and retire comfortably. Infact, my uncle who has lived in Britan all his life is coming back next year to settle in Bangalore/Mysore.

You have all the facilities that you may need.. and options to select the kind of living you want to do.. so once you decide and have a firmer plan, let us know and we will help you with inputs if needed...

KM

Britbat

Thank you, K. I've always known Bangalore was a beautiful city, so described by Indian friends here (most go along with the few-months-over-there-first theory, mind you). The diversity of cultures is appealing, as is the diversity of geography. I like the idea of outer Bangalore/Madras as a base. As a Londoner, I've had enough of city life, but I would like to be within striking distance (say a pleasant ride on my Bullet Machismo or a short drive in my [insert appropriate small car]) of trains and planes. I'm reasonably healthy and I want to see and learn.
Big, beautiful country, isn't it?

I'm quite hurt that you would think a gated colony might appeal to me, Karthik! A small suburban house or apartment is more my style. I'm not a great house-person, nor do I intend to become one, so a saving on accommodation would pay for a little domestic help, I'm sure. The dhobi wallah will retire on my custom!

There will be more I will want to ask about as time goes on, of course. I'm glad to have found IM, and this forum, and grateful for your welcome and all your kind advice.

R.

shashank.aggarwal

I was just reading somewhere a couple of days back..that a decade back Bangalore used to be a Retirees favorite city...but after the IT boom the scenario has changed extensively..

yes...if you are looking for something..like an hours drive from the city..then you might get something good...but again it would be a question of you adjusting your lifestyle..

Shaktipalooza

I've been to Bangalore a few times and have many friends living there or from there.

All in all I'd say it's a great choice of cities but there is one major downside; traffic & pollution.

__________________
IndiaGroove - Train finder now in beta!
Pics from India 2006
Traditional Indian Dance

Nattusbs

Shaktipalooza:

You wrote, "one major downside; traffic & pollution"

That's two

Cheers

Nattusbs

Nick-H

And to think I resisted that temptation

__________________
.


Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Shaktipalooza

Ha, well they do go hand in hand.

Britbat

I'm inclined to agree, S, and as you chose the ampersand to join "traffic" and "pollution", I rather think we can hold out against the gathering pedants.

I have a feeling leaving Blighty to live in India will entail adjusting my lifestyle in a big way, Shashank.

Maybe more than an hour out, actually. Just read up on Mysore as well, thanks to suggestions here. I'd really like to live in one of the West Coast ports (I'm into ships) but the climate would be a problem. Travelling there when I choose is a better option, I feel.

(Looked at your interesting blog BTW - get writing!) I started one today but I'll have to work up the courage to inflict it on you guys.

R.

I shan't spend a lot of time in the city itself, S. Won't be able to resist the bright lights entirely, sure, but an occasional visit will suffice.

R.

How am doing, Nick? Protocol-wise, I mean. I'm new to this. Don't want to upset the Grumpy One.

R.

Nick-H

Like a driving instructor once said to me, when I asked:

Have I complained? If not, you're doing OK

And I'm only one mod of a busy team