Hyderabad bound...

billyshake

Hi folks. New to this well-ordered, useful forum.

I've been offered a job at a start-up in Hyderabad (film business) and must negotiate a salary. Reading the forums, it appears I can find a small flat in a decent neighborhood for 400-500 USD. (A fortune compared to where I live in Cambodia!) But I haven't a grasp on general living expenses: food, medical insurance, taxi's (or other transpo -- I don't intend to buy a car but would buy a motorcycle if appropriate), broadband internet, and other etceteras I'm surely forgetting.

I by no means live extravagantly, but I enjoy eating out, hitting a pub now and then, and traveling. Any advice would be much appreciated. Oh, and how much does a work visa cost and should I ask my employer to pay this fee?

Much appreciated,
billyshake

capt_mahajan

I think 500 usd will get more than a small flat- but, then again, maybe you can get a furnished small flat for that much- small meaning one bedroom and a living room?

Food is cheap, if a single person cooks at home I doubt they would spend more than 3/4000 a month on Indian style food, all inclusive.

Autorickshaws are easily available, though getting greedier by the day. A 2/3 kilometer ride costs about 13 rupees. All will depend on where your place of work is and where you stay.

Eating out can be cheap or expensive, as with the rest of India. Travel, likewise.

Internet, about a 1000 rupees a month or less.

Medical insurance, dunno what will apply to you as a foreigner (assuming here). An Indian would pay, say, 5000/10000 rupees a year for a decent cover (depending on age)

billyshake

thanks, capt. and yeah, i'm hoping to find a furnished flat. i'm not worried about air con because i live in a very hot climate without it and survive nicely with a couple fans.

i've read so much about india and i'm very excited at the chance to live there for a spell.

capt_mahajan

Hyderabad is forecast to touch 42C this weekend. Have'nt been to Phnom Penh, but summer in Sihanoukville was not as warm as this.

But if you are looking for a furnished one bedroom flat you would probably get it in your budget with an aircon thrown in- a good, normal Indian apartment, mind, nothing too fancy.

billyshake

Yeah, Capt, Phnom Penh is considerably warmer than Sihanoukville. Personally, I don't care for Sihanoukville one bit. It's just plain seedy.

No need for a fancy flat as I'm a functional sorta fella. So, I figure I need to ask for somewhere in the neighborhood of 100,000 INR a month to live in reasonable comfort and still be able to throw a little in the bank.

I read that the tax in India is 21% -- does that sound right?

And are foreigners allowed to drive motos in India -- w/ or w/out an Indian license?

capt_mahajan

The highest income tax slab for an Indian resident is 33/34%. This does not mean a flat tax cut, there are deductions.

The issue of foreigners income tax (dependent on tax treaties too) as well as driving has been discussed on indiamike often- search the site for more.

PS: Some threads to get you started

Income tax for American working in India???
should give you pointers regardless of nationality.

Driving licence for foreigners

Indian Driving Test & Driving License

billyshake

Hi folks. I've greatly appreciated reading all the useful threads on indiamike.com. Thank you.

I've accepted a job in Hyderabad and will arrive sometime next month. Just waiting for the work visa and doing some training in Los Angeles first. Thankfully, my employer is taking care of housing and everything else I may need upon my arrival. Can anyone tell me where Journalist Colony is located? And is it, as the name suggests, literally an area catering to journalists? If so, that sounds mighty cool to me.

thanks again,
billyshake

capt_mahajan

Journalists colony is in Jubilee Hills, near the Apollo Hospital.

I suppose at one time it was started for, or by journalists, but I doubt many are concentrated there now.

indiapassion

Hi there - congratulations on making the decision to take a job opportunity in Hyderabad. I am also considering a job swap with my US company and am so excited about the possibilities that exist in Hyderabad for a fun and exciting year~ What kind of work do you do? Where do you think your company will locate you? I have never been to Hyderabad - although I have travelled all over India - so looking for ideas about nice areas, cool communities etc. Let us know as you discover secret places :-) Have a fun trip and good luck with your new job!!!

edwardseco

Jubilee Hills, good area..

JimJ

I'm going to hyderabad from Delhi for a few weeks. What does one do in Hyderabad after work for fun, staying in the hotel room is sooo boring!

billyshake

I'm coming to India to run a captioning/subtitling company that does work for U.S. film and television productions. Sounds dull but it's actually pretty fun work. I believe the flat they have for me is in Jubilee Hills. I flew to Los Angeles this week to do some training and meet the U.S. boss -- turns out, I've really gotten lucky with this gig. He's very cool and I'm more excited than ever to move to Hyderabad.

Hope I'll get to meet some of you soon. Oh, and I'll also be hiring at some point in the near future and I'll keep any interested parties posted.

indiapassion

We should definitely all keep eachother in mind when we land in Hyderabad. This is a great format for sharing experiences. I am very excited about my job swap opportunity and looking forward to doing some travel in the south of India. I've focused mostly on the north in the past - Rajastan, Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai. I visited Goa and Mahabalipuram way back in the 70's and am so looking forward to jumping into the new cities like Hyderabad and Bangalore but then getting into the places I really love- the villages and out of the way treasures. Can anyone who has lived in Hyderabad share any places that really touched their heart. Yes, let's start a Hyderabad meet up when we all get there.