If you "had" to move to India

.... with husband, two boys (both under 4) ... which city would you choose and why?

Does it have to be one of the metros? There are lots of towns that would be cheaper and more manageable.

seriously, Merchant, I'd like to know also. which smaller places would you recommend?

I vote Bangalore but only for the climate. Day to day living there seems dreadful with the traffic & pollution. We'd actually prefer to live in the rural areas NW of B'lore. I think Mrs S would move tomorrow if there was a coffee plantation on offer.

Pick any southern town. I know you are a not a fan of Madurai, yogagal, but you can always live on the outskirts. Tirunelveli / Palayamkottai is a college town, with lots of schools, too. There are some lovely villages, many with old English churches, ancient temples, and mosques, in the outlying areas.

You could also live easily just about anywhere in Kerala--leafy villages, backwaters and coast, with access to rail and airport.

The economies of TN and Kerala are strong. Your money will also go a lot farther in a town than it will in the metros.

i think heyderabad is the best lept secret, for now.,

Because that is our option..so far (My husbands company has offices in those cities)

So not to be unfair of other smaller places...

If possible live in gurgaon. It is just outside delhi and has easy access to the city using the toll road. Many corporations have commuter busses that will come to gurgaon and fetch their staff. gurgaon has a pleasant suburban atmosphere, while delhi has many cultural activities. you will be in a location where you could easily take a summer holiday to one of many hill stations and escape the summer heat. gurgoan in the state of haryana would be comfortable and ideal. Good private schools too.

Of the three, I'd move to Bangalore. We've friends there.

Crvlvr has it but I might be biassed. Oddly, this happened to a couple I know. The wife put her put down. They divorced and she is working at an old age to support herself in the US. People can get too rigid..

If these are the only choices, then definitely Bangalore.
The next choice is Hyderabad. Definitely no to Delhi, atleast for living and working.

And Bangalore is Gate way to south india and a hub. Accessible to th wonderful south/beaches/Goa/Kerala.

Much that I'm tiring of the place after a couple of years (being a quiet country born chap!), I'd choose Bangalore over all those choices if I had your type of family. There are thousands of expats here with similar families and although it is busy, crowded and polluted you can find (eventually) most things here including plenty of entertainment for your kids.

The climate is the big winner for a white westerner though, just Feb to April can be quite hot but the rest of the year is perfect even with the rains!

As someone said above too, there are some great getaways from here if you get out very early on a Saturday morning before the traffic goes nuts!

Cheers
Malc

I can't stand the heat and dirt of Delhi....it makes me feel sick al the time....My favourite would be Goa, but because You couldn't choose for Goa, I voted for Bangalore, because of the climate....just like Suriname, where I was born and rased....South India is just like South America...Number 1 !!!!

I think Banglore would be a good option out of the three.