settling in india for much longer

lucullan

whoever did it how exactly did u manage to make the switch? i am resisting hard to accept this country as my permanent place (in my head) and don't know how to get out of it...I need to make a switch in my head and start facing reality of living here on a permanent basis.

I just miss the nature so badly. Clean rivers, lush green forests, my own garden with daily fresh lettuce sitting on a porch overlooking lush green fields and forests...how long do i have to stay here to get over it and stop being so home sick?

I miss going to a normal store where all the products are familliar i miss the cleanliness and neatness and orderliness of the stores...

the only thing I don't miss is winter and snow

how did you get used to this place. what keeps you going? where do you find happines? How do you guys cope with the urge to return to native places maybe...

Thanks.

Nick-H

I enjoy going back to UK. I find London almost as interesting as I used to find India; I find a department store to be a place of magic!

But I would swap the guavas and pomegranates, with bananas and sugar cane on the way, from my Chennai garden, for lettuce, any day!

I'd choose the climate of Chennai over that of London for all but a very few weeks of Chennai weather, which might or might not coincide with a very few days of London weather.

I find happiness, first, in my home --- which is just the same as I always did anyway. In many respects, my life is not greatly different to how it was in in London, just lived in fewer clothes.

Nature is certainly to be found here; one has to travel a bit, of course. It is not all as bad as city life would suggest. At the same time I find it deeply depressing to read, for instance, that not a single industrial development has been turned down on environmental grounds. Get that Indian nature while it does still exist; it may not soon.

If I had been lucky enough to overlook green fields and forests previously, I certainly might feel different about living in Chennai --- but I would probably feel similarly about any city.

I am very disappointed that world economics, this year, robbed me of the chance to buy a Kerala house where I could have done just that.

If you don't already have a house with a garden, maybe even just a tree or two, then I suggest that would be a great move towards feeling at home.

lucullan

Thanks for you reply Nick. How long have you been living in Chennai?

Your answer opened my eyes in one way. I guess it is not the country...it's just the fact that we live in a city because for a year we have lived in Paris, France and i was equally miserable...lol. Only it was closer to my home country so i could escape more often

Nick-H

Right... so get that garden! Or move to a leafier subburb, or even a rural place on the outskirts. Commuting may be a pain, but not having rural surroundings may be worse.

I've been in Chennai a mere five years, though there was was a lot of coming ang going during the first year, which was partly 'trial period' of the first six months.

We've been in this house about two years. The surrounding area gets me down ---it is a dump--- but we came here because we could afford the house with it's garden, which we could no longer do in my preferred area.

Karina83

Dear Locullan,
One of the best ways to avoid feeling homesick is to integrate yourself as fully as possible into your new way of life in India. Making new friends is the easiest way to combat the feeling of being homesick.

One of the best ways to meet people is through work. When working in a large city, you will probably find that a number of your co-workers are from different countries. They may be going through the same thing you are, and socializing after work hours is a great way to cope with feeling homesick.

Simply staying busy will enable you to keep your mind active so that it does not preoccupy itself with thoughts of home. If you have moved to a new city, take the time to get to know your new environment. By exploring the city and finding new places, you can lose any fear you have of the big city. Find a coffee shop that you can make your regular place, and people will soon get to know you and welcome you back.

Feeling homesick is similar to feeling loss for the life you have left behind, but family and friends are no more than a phone call away. You can always keep in touch through regular mail or the Internet. Your family and friends will always be happy to hear from you

I am planning for a stay in india (Mumbai) for about 6 or more months and when I read your comment I felt a little sad. I wish that everything is gonna be allright

Anyway. if you live in Mumbai plz tell me so that I can ask you some questions that I have in my mind...

Thanks, wishes

N.B: Listen to some bollywood songs. that will make you really happy....If you want some information about this just tell me!

Butet

Hi Lucullan,

you replied once some questions I had about moving to Hyderabad with baby and I read your question hear on this thread. We did it with our little son, he was born in december and is now three month old. I read that you´ve also delivered a child.

Right now we are searching for an apartment, and I have to say, that this time moving to another country is different, because of our little son. Usually I would already known Hyderabad by my own, but no chance with baby. Well no chance for now. But soon it will change, hopefully.

I have noticed it, that it is very different to be in another place with a little child. I enjoyed the time I had with my son in germany. Especially I miss the long walks in the parks in my homecity, with friends and family. Never felt something like that before, when I/ we lived in another country.

What is your experience being with baby here in Hyderabad? Where is it possible to go during daytime? Maybe it is not just feeling homesick, but also the change of life being mother, the motherblues? At least that happens to me.

How do u manage your days with your baby? Maybe you have a recommendation for a good doctor for vaccination?
Where do you go, any recommendation for good baby stores, maybe here exist a possibility for baby massage groups, or crawl groups etc..? My son got the first injections in germany, and now it is time to get the next. I would be very interested to here of your experience. Best Regards, Butet

lucullan

Sorry Butet, has been a long time since i have been on indiamike
and saw your question just now. Are you in hyderabad already? where do you live?

Subal Das

after been in India for last 10 years I'm still asking myself same question, will I accept India as permanent place. Difficult question indeed, let see if I will have a definite answer maybe after more 10 years.