Cost of Living for a Family of Six

Sharmscharms

I am trying to figure out how to budget for our intended stay in India and was wondering what is the cost of the everyday things like food, electricity, phone, possibly domestic help, and average monthly of day schools (not residential). We will be in the Ferozepur area if this helps. I assume it will be cheaper than in the big cities? Thanks.

SitaParityaga

Hiya Sharmscharms!

First off, you've got the cutest kids....then, tell us where in India you're going to move to? I think I've seen a couple of your other posts around, asking about your relocation plans.

All depends where you're going, I guess.

A bit off topic here...but hey, how's Syracuse! I went to Highschool at Nottingham and undergraduate at SUNY Upstate!

machadinha

To Ferozepur (Firozpur, or Ferozepore) in the Punjab.

Frankly, I think many of those queries are so much along the same lines that it would be far handier to both the poster and anyone trying to answer them to have them all merged into one thread, as it will make it easier for anyone to follow the backgrounds of what is being asked precisely & avoid the frustration of covering the same grounds twice, and all of it together may be of use to both Sharms and others in the future. They're now scattered in separate queries all over the place, and basically all centered on the same relocation question.

No offense to OP btw, it just takes some getting to grips with the forum, no problem.

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Sharmscharms

I agree. Unfortunately, I was trying to hunt around for those who might have stayed in that particular area(Ferozepur), but there doesn't seem to be anybody, really. I think most people who are going to live in India are going for employment puposes and wind up in the major cities. It would be great if I could find someone who knows someone, who knows a person who has lived in that area and I could talk to to get an idea of how much to budget per month. Or even someone who has live in smaller towns in Punjab (it will likely be similar).

BTW, SitaParityaga, Syracuse is ok, but its time to move on!

capt_mahajan

All depends on the lifestyle one wants. Difficult to put a figure to it, otherwise. For example, heavy airconditioner use can multiply a typical electricity bill many times over.

There are a few threads on indiamike with 'cost of living'. Do search those. They may pertain largely to larger cities.

However:

most of this stuff stuff will be cheaper than big cities, except perhaps electricity and phone which would cost the same, all other things being equal.

The biggest difference/lower costs are usually

-rentals or property prices
-fuel, even if the cost per litre is the same, you drive less per month
-outside entertainment expenses: resteraunts and such are fewer, cheaper.
-food, specially fresh stuff.

Sharmscharms

-House in India is not a problem as my husband already owns one in the area.
-Fuel? Drive less? That's great, cuz I will love to get the chance to walk as much as possible. How about bicycling?
-How much would one spend on food with just eating "as the locals eat" and not trying to buy expensive imported stuff?
-What do you spend on an average monthly basis over there? (I am not trying to pry, just want to get a ballpark figure). Thanks, Capt.

capt_mahajan

Short answer, it varies so much that I don't know.

That is because I am paying (partly or completely) for education for two in two countries, some highish family expenses in three Indian cities and a charity in a village, and many of these expenses are variable.

But, in a large Indian city, off the top of my head, and after accomodation, I would be satisfied budgeting 50000 a month.

Before shashank tells me this is too much, this would include

-education for two in Indian schools
-Annual insurances
-Replacement costs for capital goods
-Annual holiday, not too expensive
-All other periodic expenses
-Maybe 5000 for charity, monthly
- medium entertainment (eating out once a week and stuff)
-booze and cigarettes
- and of course, all living expenses

and, given my lifestyle, such as it is, without having to be careful on a day to day basis


Without knowing Ferozpur, I would budget, after accomodation, for around 30000 for all these things, and for the additional children in your case.

Knock of charity and such, 25000 can do it. Tough to give a more accurate number, all depends on lifestyle. Many will manage with far less, some with far more.