Moving to Goa; Help and Advice required !

Dawn Elizabeth · Jan 28th, 2007, 22:26

Thinking hard about moving to Goa with four kids aged 10, 12, 13, 14. Where do you start ? Do we buy a house or rent, what about schools ? Can anyone please give us some advice.
Thanks.

Nick-H · Jan 28th, 2007, 23:38

Hello Dawn Elizabeth, welcome to IndiaMike

Changed the name of your thread because mostly people don't check out which forum, they just see the title, and 'help and advice' could be anything.

About buying... are you familiar with the Indian law on buying property, especially who can and who can't?

Suggest you check out this thread and its sequel to get a sense both of the law and the current local attitudes.

In short, you need much more than just a desire to do so as a basis for living in India. A single person might gamble on tourist visas, but with a family you probably wouldn't want to do so.

Of course, if you are Indian or of Indian origin, or even if you have a job lined up, that makes things a little easier.

Dawn Elizabeth · Jan 28th, 2007, 23:43

I am fortunate that it wouldn't matter if I lived in the Arctic - my job allows me to live anywhere. Which is part of the reason we as a family are contemplating this very radical move. I have looked at websites and tried to get as much information as possible but I really need to start at square one, ie., thinking about buying/renting a house and the pros and cons of each, medical facilities, schooling - everything in fact ! So, where do you start ?

goangoangone · Jan 28th, 2007, 23:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawn Elizabeth

Thinking hard about moving to Goa with four kids aged 10, 12, 13, 14. Where do you start ? Do we buy a house or rent, what about schools ? Can anyone please give us some advice.
Thanks.

Why?

kpnuts · Jan 28th, 2007, 23:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Of course, if you are Indian or of Indian origin, or even if you have a job lined up, that makes things a little easier.

I echo everything nick is saying here, i am PIO and in process of purchasing my first property in goa, i still read through every post(took over 8hours and became a fan of IM

in process and learnt a lot)
I strongly recomend you do so too.

Nick-H · Jan 29th, 2007, 00:12

OK. Advice point number one.

Check out and understand the visa situation.

Because if you can't get to legally stay here then all the rest is irrelevant.

Nobody means to be discouraging. But this is a frequently-asked question, and it is good to take a long, hard look at the problems first, before getting too exited!

You haven't told us... you might know India really well. We regularly get 'Moving to India' questions from people who have never even been here!

Bear with us... we're trying to be helpful

Kpnuts... glad you decided to stay. Good luck with the property

. I'm sure you'd agree that property deals in India are an absolute minefield, even for those who are legally entitled to buy...

Dawn Elizabeth · Jan 29th, 2007, 00:26

Visas are obviously another area where I need to take advice on. As I said, we are really just in the first stages and dont really know where to start. Work is not a problem, so I need to think about somewhere to live but we will need visas first I guess. And trivial things banking - do I hang on to my uk credit cards and accounts ? All advice gratefully received.

Nick-H · Jan 29th, 2007, 00:31

The reason that I mentioned work was that an Indian job offer would get you an employment visa --- rather than from the standpoint of your being able to support yourself. Sorry for not being clear on that.

kpnuts · Jan 29th, 2007, 00:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawn Elizabeth

Work is not a problem,

if you have a job offer then Nick has explained this, if you think you can run business in India, think again and again and again...
friend of mine has a business, he is indian, i spent some time at his business, i have lived in india and England, believe me i have thoght about running business... would i do it no way (i was going to swear here) every thing runs on credit, you buy from supplier on credit and customers will not pay in cash either, May be you are thinking of buying locally and then exporting to west! check out the tax/rbi rules on this as well (minefield).
I am not saying it is impossible but do lots of research.

GoanCanuck · Jan 29th, 2007, 00:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawn Elizabeth

Thinking hard about moving to Goa with four kids aged 10, 12, 13, 14. Where do you start ? Do we buy a house or rent, what about schools ? Can anyone please give us some advice.
Thanks.

You are not legally allowed to buy a house in Goa while on a tourist visa. Beware of the touts in Goa who will try to convince you to buy even though they know you are not allowed to do so.

cyberhippie · Jan 29th, 2007, 00:54

Might seem like a daft question but have you spent any time in Goa before, have you been there in May or through the monsoon. Another thing to think about!!

Dawn Elizabeth · Jan 29th, 2007, 00:56

Thank you both. I am self employed and can support myself - dont employ anyone else and in England am a sole trader. So, i guess I wouldn't get an employment visa. I understand that you can get a visa for a year then have to leave the country and get it renewed. Perhaps its a good idea to rent a house for the first year before too ? I understand that you have to be a resident anyway before you can buy property.

Nick-H · Jan 29th, 2007, 00:59

I think DE is trying to tell us that she has a job which is unconnected with India, but which she can do anywhere, including India.

People do set up businesses here, some connected with tourism, others not. See for instance Mira4bai4's posts.

Of course, it is illegal to work here on a tourist visa --- but if it is online or telephone-based, or writing, etc etc, then I don't see that as a problem.

But... it is pointless to discuss further unless she confirms that she is prepared to move herself and her family out of the country every six months to get a new visa. At the very least, that's a lot of air fares! And there is certainly a possibility that India will close the door on repeated serial tourist visas.

Dawn Elizabeth · Jan 29th, 2007, 01:03

Am thinking about moving there permanantly in about a year and plan to spend the next year thinking/planning etc. Have been several times but only for several weeks at a time and more as a tourist and certainly not in the monsoon season. When I was last there a couple of years ago, the idea of living there did not occur to me in a realistic way so didn't investigate that area at all. So scenario is to attempt to get a visa for me and the kids, rent for a year (11 months if I understand correctly) and see how the kids settle into school. Another huge thing to sort out - school. What schools are available?

Dawn Elizabeth · Jan 29th, 2007, 01:06

Nick-H us right about my work. My main employer is based in the UK but I can function anywhere so long as I can get an internet connection!

Jan 28th, 2007, 22:26	#1
Dawn Elizabeth Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kent Posts: 8	Moving to Goa; Help and Advice required ! Thinking hard about moving to Goa with four kids aged 10, 12, 13, 14. Where do you start ? Do we buy a house or rent, what about schools ? Can anyone please give us some advice. Thanks.

Jan 28th, 2007, 23:38	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,832	Hello Dawn Elizabeth, welcome to IndiaMike Changed the name of your thread because mostly people don't check out which forum, they just see the title, and 'help and advice' could be anything. About buying... are you familiar with the Indian law on buying property, especially who can and who can't? Suggest you check out this thread and its sequel to get a sense both of the law and the current local attitudes. In short, you need much more than just a desire to do so as a basis for living in India. A single person might gamble on tourist visas, but with a family you probably wouldn't want to do so. Of course, if you are Indian or of Indian origin, or even if you have a job lined up, that makes things a little easier. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Jan 28th, 2007, 23:43	#3
Dawn Elizabeth Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kent Posts: 8	I am fortunate that it wouldn't matter if I lived in the Arctic - my job allows me to live anywhere. Which is part of the reason we as a family are contemplating this very radical move. I have looked at websites and tried to get as much information as possible but I really need to start at square one, ie., thinking about buying/renting a house and the pros and cons of each, medical facilities, schooling - everything in fact ! So, where do you start ?

Jan 29th, 2007, 00:12	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,832	OK. Advice point number one. Check out and understand the visa situation. Because if you can't get to legally stay here then all the rest is irrelevant. Nobody means to be discouraging. But this is a frequently-asked question, and it is good to take a long, hard look at the problems first, before getting too exited! You haven't told us... you might know India really well. We regularly get 'Moving to India' questions from people who have never even been here! Bear with us... we're trying to be helpful Kpnuts... glad you decided to stay. Good luck with the property . I'm sure you'd agree that property deals in India are an absolute minefield, even for those who are legally entitled to buy...

Jan 29th, 2007, 00:26	#7
Dawn Elizabeth Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kent Posts: 8	Visas are obviously another area where I need to take advice on. As I said, we are really just in the first stages and dont really know where to start. Work is not a problem, so I need to think about somewhere to live but we will need visas first I guess. And trivial things banking - do I hang on to my uk credit cards and accounts ? All advice gratefully received.

Jan 29th, 2007, 00:31	#8
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,832	The reason that I mentioned work was that an Indian job offer would get you an employment visa --- rather than from the standpoint of your being able to support yourself. Sorry for not being clear on that.

Jan 29th, 2007, 00:54	#11
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,013	Might seem like a daft question but have you spent any time in Goa before, have you been there in May or through the monsoon. Another thing to think about!!

Jan 29th, 2007, 00:56	#12
Dawn Elizabeth Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kent Posts: 8	Thank you both. I am self employed and can support myself - dont employ anyone else and in England am a sole trader. So, i guess I wouldn't get an employment visa. I understand that you can get a visa for a year then have to leave the country and get it renewed. Perhaps its a good idea to rent a house for the first year before too ? I understand that you have to be a resident anyway before you can buy property.

Jan 29th, 2007, 00:59	#13
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,832	I think DE is trying to tell us that she has a job which is unconnected with India, but which she can do anywhere, including India. People do set up businesses here, some connected with tourism, others not. See for instance Mira4bai4's posts. Of course, it is illegal to work here on a tourist visa --- but if it is online or telephone-based, or writing, etc etc, then I don't see that as a problem. But... it is pointless to discuss further unless she confirms that she is prepared to move herself and her family out of the country every six months to get a new visa. At the very least, that's a lot of air fares! And there is certainly a possibility that India will close the door on repeated serial tourist visas.

Jan 29th, 2007, 01:03	#14
Dawn Elizabeth Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kent Posts: 8	Am thinking about moving there permanantly in about a year and plan to spend the next year thinking/planning etc. Have been several times but only for several weeks at a time and more as a tourist and certainly not in the monsoon season. When I was last there a couple of years ago, the idea of living there did not occur to me in a realistic way so didn't investigate that area at all. So scenario is to attempt to get a visa for me and the kids, rent for a year (11 months if I understand correctly) and see how the kids settle into school. Another huge thing to sort out - school. What schools are available?

Jan 29th, 2007, 01:06	#15
Dawn Elizabeth Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kent Posts: 8	Nick-H us right about my work. My main employer is based in the UK but I can function anywhere so long as I can get an internet connection!

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