Moving to Delhi

poppadom

Hi everyone, firstly thanks for all of your energy on this site. It's a great help to those of us that are thinking of moving. Me, I am currently based in Sydney Australia and am moving to Delhi next month for work. My offices will be in Gurgaon and I have the option of either living there or in Delhi proper. Loads of questions to ask, mainly:

1) Is Gurgaon a good place to live? I am not coming with any family so want somewhere that has all of the amenities. I have heard about some of the apartment buildings in Gurgaon, such as Windsor Court etc, are these places any good?

2) Are there many expat functions? I enjoy meeting new people and have spent a lot of time in India, but also would like to meet other expats as I find my sense of humour sometimes goes awry on locals (only cos it's a little too sarcastic and they are always too nice!!!)

3) I have a shipment going from sydney, nothing major, just essentials. am thinking about stuff like balsamic vinegar etc stuff that we take for granted here. anything you can think of that i should add?

4) Drivers - as I am a female on my own, does anyone know what i should do about the driver situation? should i get my own driver with the car, is that safe if i am generally on my own?

no other questions i can think of nnow, but would really appreciate your thoughts on the above, and also look forward to meeting some of you on my arrival.

warm regards and thanks in advance

poppadom

zwala

Gurgaon is great if you like glitzy shopping malls and razamataz apartments and pretending you live in Beverley Hills. Its a suburb on the outskirts of delhi that has come up in a VERY haphazard way in the past few years.
I'd be inclined to check out Vasant Vihar, Vasant Kunj or Mehrauli. This way you are close to work but also closer to Delhi proper which means you have access to various cultural happenings. I'd also hedge my bets and say its safer for a solo woman in these parts than Gurgaon.
A driver is definately an advantage. Don't just pick anyone off the street though!
Get in touch with ANZA which is the social branch of the Australian and NZ High Comission when you touch down. They have weekly 'mothers meetings' and gatherings. At the moment lots of people are leaving diplomatic posts are often passing on trustworthy contacts, including drivers.
Goodluck and welcome aboard.

anindya911

Hi poppadom,

Welcome to India & Indiamike!

You can checkout this website for some of the info...
http://www.expatfocus.com/expatriate-delhi

If your workplace is not very far away from Gurgaon, its a good place to live in, it has the usual shopping malls, theater, McDs..
Most of the foodstuffs from aborad are available in the supermarkets, Dollar Shops and INA Market(in Delhi), so sooner or later you'll hunting down them for your need (as soon as stash of your goodies consumed).
Initially, you should hire a Driver and then see it for yourself that whether you're comfy in driving.

Hope this helps

Anindya

__________________
Let Your mind roam ...
and the body will follow!

poppadom

thanks, that's good advice! i'm more inclined not to stay in gurgaon if i don't have to. does anyone know any great apartments in vasant vihar or the other area's mentioned? cost is not a concern, but security and comfort is (sorry, am a bit of a princess)

Chickster

Hi Poppadom,

Good to have some other Aussies coming over.
In response to your queries:
1) Gurgaon seems to be a nice place (have never lived there but seems ok), but south delhi is also nice area. Depends on how you feel about traffic, as you are looking at traffic of at least an hour each way during busy times. Vasant Vihar is a really nice area in Delhi, (where I am working) and as cost is not a concern would be a good option.
2) The Australian Consulate has a membership that you can join, and each Friday night have a bar night for expats. There are a few of us Aussies located around the South Delhi area.
3) No need to send groceries over, as all standard groceries, including balsamic and such, are available. Priya market in Vasant Vihar actually has some of the best shops for such items.
4) I have a driver myself, but thinks he is the luckiest driver in India, as the majority of the time I drive myself. Once you get a feel for the way people drive, you should have no problem driving yourself. Whether or not a female is safe driving around on her own I am not too sure.

If you have any more questions you would like answered or need any advice, feel free to send me a message.

Cheers

hitanshu

These apartments are really nice, no doubt. However, they are like cocoons if you understand what I mean - fully serviced, secure, all amenities yada yada. BUT, in Gurgaon you only get nice apartments+ nice malls. For the cultural scene, or experiencing India, Delhi it has to be.

Others have said about the embassy functions - what I know is that stuff like salsa, jazz classes/nights you have an OVERWHELMING expat presence. You could use stuff like Ryze, LinkedIn, openbc to find other expats in Delhi besides the large number on indiamike

There are three issues with you driving:
- Basic Safety: At times, while coming back veryyyyy late in night it helps to have a driver. As an expat woman, you can never be too safe.
- Pain factor: Delhi has a completely mad traffic despite reasonably wide roads. Now what can happen at times is that as a cultured driver (like many expats i've seen), you would be overly polite and lane-disciplined, while Delhi sometimes requires the precision of a machete wielder Moreover, if your car happens to nick some cyclist (who ride blindly, and even cut lanes without seeing), then that guy can demand really high compensation (even when all it needs is a BandAid!!) JUST because you're an EXPAT!! Here a driver would help.
- Travel: Having a driver means that you can move out on weekends and explore India safely - travel anywhere with the comfort that you have someone to drive, act as semi bodyguard cum guide. and all for just 150-300 AUD/mo approx!

As for the drivers, if you'd be intd, i can find out from my office (British Gas India) - our directors are mostly expats and have reliable drivers. I'll find out the sourcing agency

And the days you drive home very late on your own, carry a pepper spray. I'm just being a little paranoid here, but it helps. I carry it on all my rides, and havent had a chance to use it - but you never know

Cheers,
Hitanshu

gypsie,lotus

Hitanshu,
I would love for you to tell me about the sourcing for getting a good driver. I am coming to India this December and will rent a car (with AC) and a driver for about 2 months. Has to come recomended with good back grounds. any information please.
Thanks,
Gypsie