For Hyderabad experts and expats! Living Expenses?

shelley13

Hi everyone,

I am just looking to get some information on a possible move to Hyderabad. I have done some searches, but there really isn't anything too current.

I have another interview to go for the job, but I figured I might as well be pro-active and do a little research about the city.

I have been to India (I spent November and December 2007 there). I never made it to Hyderabad and spent most of my time in the south. My questions are:
-What kind of city is Hyderabad like to live in for a female foreigner?
-Are there gyms I can be a member of or yoga classes I can take?
-What is Hyderabad like for a social life (I have a bf in India) so not looking for romance, just people to hang out with. I speak French too, so would be interested in the Indian Alliance francaise if there is one in Hyderabad.
-I am a voracious reader - what kind of book stores are there in Hyderabad?
-Shopping- I am a girl and love new clothes what kind of shopping is available there?
- I will be provided with accomodation, will I be able to have DSL internet in my apartment and what is the cost per month? I know that might be a dumb question, but I figured I'd ask anyway?

Thank you all so much!

Ignite

Hey Shelley,

I would personally say Hyderabad would be an amazing place for you! There are seriously hundreds of gyms and yoga centers in Hyderabad, as well as there being lots of pubs (10 Downing Street, Touch, etc....) I also know for a fact that Hyderabad has a variety of book stores/vendors on the streets, so you're pretty good on that too. Now shopping, that I will guarantee you, you dont have to worry about AT ALL!! Because theres LOTS of shopping to do in Hyderabad, I know they just got a new Guess store there, and Lifestyle I heard sells Lacoste products as well.

If you're looking for a place to live, this link might help you.
http://www.indiamike.com/india/movin...rtment-t51014/

Also, www.fullhyderabad.com is an amazing website that will give you ALL the info you need to know about Hyderabad.

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Rasika

Well, I lived in Hyderabad for 3 years, but before this whole Cybercity boom so my experience might be different from what you will experience...

First, I recommend you watch "Hyderabad Blues" if you can, gives you a feel for the locals. (This is not a Bollywood version!)

My guess is you might be staying in Jubilee Hills or Banjara Hills, which are very cosmopolitan and westernised, and you will find all sorts of modern facilities. If your taste goes to classical Indian music there are many concerts, but I don't remember there being an Alliance there. (There is a Max Mueller Bhavan and a British Library.)

However, Hyderabad still has a lot of old charm, and if you want to learn something about *that* part maybe you could read "White Mughals" by William Dalrymple which is a great book.

People still tend to stare at you as a single woman, more so if a westerner, but there isn't too much hassle. Due to the Muslim influence the local buses segregate women and men, which keeps the "eve teasing" in check. It's still a place I'd be more comfortable in Shalwar Kameez than jeans.

Overall, there is plenty to do there, it's a good mixture of modern and real India, and I never felt much hassled on my own.

Others can probably give more current info!

shelley13

Ignite: Thank you so much for your reply. It gave me a little tingle of excitement. Gyms, yoga, books and Lacoste (drool)
I have lived and worked in South Korea before so I know all about the culture shock. But the thing I have on my side this time, is I have actually been to India before actually accepting a job and moving there. So I at least know a little of what I am getting into.

What is the weather like? I know there is winter and monsoon. But how hot does it get there? I found the weather in Hampi and Bangalore so pleasant in November and December. I actually needed a light sweater in Bangalore a few times. But I just about melted in Mumbai (early Nov).

Now I hope I get this job.

Ignite

the weather in hyderabad is mild, its not as hot as bombay, but its not as cold as bangalore either. I see you're from canada, so i'd say hyderabad weather is a bit like Toronto weather. You might need a light sweater in the Winter, but nothing too heavy. No matter how hot it is, i'd say try your best to avoid wearing shorts in hyderabad, because that will get you a LOT of unwanted attention. Hope this helps, let me know when you get your job

Bigzero

Welcome to IM & Hyderabad!

In my opinion, Hyderabad is a fairly easy and accommodating city to move into. Sure its congested, chaotic etc etc, but it is quite a friendly place in many ways.

As a female foreigner, as long as you take usual commonsense precautions it should be ok .

Bookstores, Yoga, Shopping etc. - you wont have issues.

And yes there is an Alliance Francaise in Secunderabad ( Marredpally ). I can fish out their contact details & address if you need it.

As for the weather, its fairly pleasant for most part of the year except the summer. April, May and June are quite warm. You can expect peak temp to be in the range of 41-43 degree C.

Hope this helps..

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shelley13

I love this board, the advice everyone has given me is just amazing.

Ignite- Have you ever been to Toronto? It is cold as heck in the winter, and you need way more than a light sweater But I get what you are trying to say, which is a relief. I found most of south India pleasant (weather wise) in November and December. It was pretty hot in Cochin, but I found it was at least bearable.

Also I would never wear shorts in India (Goa is maybe the exception on the beach). I actually wore a Salwar kameez a few times, and I liked the way I was treated when I wore it. Plus I do find them quite beautiful and comfortable.

BigZero-I would love that information for the Alliance francaise. Thank you for offerring to find it for me.

I hate to ask this question, but I will anyway is there accessibility of western food? I LOVE and plan to eat Indian food 90% of the time, but there are those days when you just want a pizza, or some cereal. I am sure it is available if it is a big city. I am not talking about McDonalds either, as that crap grosses me out, more in the sense of groceries.

When I moved to South Korea (not in Seoul), a lot of western food was really hard to come by. Finding cheddar cheese was an expedition, and when we did find it, I swear there was dancing in the aisles.

You just need a bit of comfort food sometime.

nayan

I am a woman(Indian), working in hyderabad.
Its a pretty modern place. If you are planning to work in the IT/BPO/finance sector you need not wear salwar kameez to work. trousers and shirt will do just fine.
Going out - jeans/t-shirt is fine.
That is what most of your coworkers will be wearing.

western style groceries - Theres a supermarket called Q-mart in banjara hills which stocks a lot of imported grocery items. For normal groceries theres a supermarket at every street corner.

You can have broadband internet in your flat. speeds are ok unless you are accessing heavy audio/visual content.

Bigzero

Oh, finding the alliance info was easier than I thought! It is readily available on the net. Here is the address.

Alliance Française of Hyderabad, West Marredpally
10-2-9 Road No 16, West-Marredpally,
Near Geeta Nursing Home
Secunderabad - 500026
Phone: (040) 27700734/35/36 Fax: (040) 27700731

And here is the link that gives an idea of its location .
http://www.afindia.org/hyderabad/map.htm - you may find it useful once you reach hyderabad.

shelley13

Well I guess if it was that easy to find, I could have done it myself. But thanks BigZero. I'll be looking them up for sure.

I think I was told I would living in Banjara Hills from the recuiter. I have heard good things about that area.

I won't wear a Salwar often, but I still like them, especially when I travel by train or bus. I still get stares, but I usually get more respect too.
My bf lives a 10 hour train ride away, so I plan on doing some long weekend visits.

I am really pleased with what I am hearing about Hyderabad. All in all very positive feedback and comments. I'm really starting to look forward to possibly moving there. I was told if all goes well I could be there mid to late March
Escaping the winter here is not a bad thing. It's been a cold, snowy and miserable winter in Ontario this year.

Bigzero

Shelley13 - Have you been to India before? Its all comparative - Hyderabad may be a decent city in India, but you will have to expect a certain level of culture shock when you land here. The easier you settle down, the better

Anyway, welcome to Hyderabad, and hope you enjoy your time here!

shelley13

Yes - I have been to India before. I spent November and December 2007 there. I visited (Mumbai, Palolem, Colva, Hampi, Bangalore, Cochin and Pondicherry).
So I have some idea as to what to expect, but then again, travelling and living in a foreign country are two very different things.

Like I said, I have lived in a foreign country before, and I went through culture shock there too (around the 6-7 month mark, when the novelty wore off). So I am hoping that experience will help me whilst in India.

I always just try to keep a positive attitude, and remember how lucky I am to be able to be having this experience.

Ignite

haha....i'm sorry shelley, I was trying to compare the summer's of Toronto with the summer's of Hyderabad. And yes i've been to toronto before, and yes you do need something more than a light sweater in Toronto's winter because it snows in toronto during winter time! lol. I was by Scarborough in Toronto during the summer of 2002, and the winter of 2004.

If your going to live in Banjara Hills then you've got nothing to worry about, because its actually a very nice part of the city.

Good luck with your interview!

shelley13

HAHA! Ok Ignite, now I understand what you meant.
That doesn't seem so bad then. I can't even explain the uncomfort I felt in Mumbai. I've been in extreme heat before but I had never felt anything like I did those few days in there. I just couldn't enjoy the city.
Knowing Hyderabad might be a little more bearable is positive. I am sure I'll aclimatize anyway

Nattusbs

Hi Shelly

The biggest difference in the summer between Toronto (where I was born and have lived)and Hyderabad (where my parents are currently settled) is the former can be humid, while it is very dry in Hyderabad. The summer heat in Hyd (for short) will also give you experience of hot winds blowing as if you are in a desert (The Deccan!)- the overhead sun can be blistering between 11am-4pm.

Dress code for women in Jeans/tops is very common. Book stores are really not that many as I was looking for a book by William Dalrymple and one by M.J. Akbar for my Dad's friend in the US. Found it finally - let me recall - can't remember the store - but, it was very good. Opposite a well know hotel - was it the Kakatiya Hotel? Next to another well know store. Gosh, my brain is fried

My 2 cents (now, that is probably the same in US & Canadian currency!)

Cheers

Nattusbs