Would you live in India - or are there MN any ex-pats there who can tell me what it's like?

[JoshandJamie]

My DH has been approached to be a CEO of a company in India (based in New Delhi). It would be good for his career advancement and the money they're offering is stonkingly huge.

But we have two young boys (2 and 4), I run my own business and taking the job would mean uprooting us all and me probably having to shut up shop.

I don't see this being a permanent move, something for a few years, but I've never been to India and have no idea what it would be like to live there. I am originally South African so am used to heat and living in developing countries but I know that India is a whole different kettle of fish.

Part of me thinks it would be a good/interesting experience - show the boys a different way of life now while they're not really at school (although the older one would be starting this year) and part of me thinks: not another move. And do I really want to leave my comfortable set up to shake it up.

Would love to hear from any ex-pats living there or anyone who's been there.

TIA

[claraquitetirednow]

Hi

I am not an expert on India, hopefully someone will come on here who is. But we are moving to Pakistan in the summer with a 2 year old and 7 month old, so I know how you are feeling! I am worried but excited at the same time. I think it will be a great experience for the children but on the other hand they have a great life here....

I hope you will get some good advice and make the right decision for you!

Good luck.

[Bluestocking]

You need to go and have a look. I would go in a heartbeat, I love India and have spend quite a lot of time there, but it certainly isn't for everybody.

[madcows]

We're going in July for a year. We have a 5yo and a 1yo and will be living in Tamil Nadu. You def'ly need to spend some time there before you decide.... and think about how you'd find the switch from running your own business to being an expat wife. (We both work - togehter - so a bit different). Have you discovered Indiamike? There is a expat forum... which you might find useful.

[JoshandJamie]

Thanks everyone. Will look at Indiamike - thanks Madcows.

[FleurDelacour]

I live in Asia and have visited India. I find Delhi amazingly colourful and vibrant but some of the poverty is heart-breaking. Lavish condos exist right beside street tents. Refuse tips beside the road have barefoot women and children scavenging through them. Cows wander everywhere and drivers lean on their horns permanently. There is so much life and action visible though that it is very interesting. You need to go and have a look and see what you think before making any decisions.

[UnderRated]

Yes, definitely visit. I know there are some large expat communities in India and I am sure there are some in New Delhi. See if you can find out about schools, healthcare etc.

I don't know if I could do it. After 5 years, I still struglle with culture shock and I only moved to the US.

Have a look for sites like Britexpat.com (I think) to see if you could find someone to chat with. Also, the Indian Consulate website might be helpful.

Good luck.

[PinkSparkles]

Hi, try this website it has great advice etc from expats living all over the world, also links to blogs etc so you can read about how others are coping...

www.expatwomen.com/

I've been living the expat lifestyle in Manila and have really enjoyed it, so much so that I'm dreading our return to the UK in 2 weeks time and when we first decided to move here I was dreading it!

Good luck with your decision

[onesleepymama]

hi there

I lived in New Delhi for 3 years until 2008 but before I had DS. It was amixed experience but overall i would say go for it. You will live a v luxurious (air conditioned and generator-backed) life and can afford more help at home that you can deal with, including a driver that will make getting around very easy. You can increasingly buy western stuff which makes life easier, there are good schools etc. My friends with kids loved it as long as you embrace it - ie travel around with the kids, take them to see tigers, mountains, beaches etc. health is the main issue - you need to keep v good food hygiene at home and take them to eat only in good places and just spend a bit more on getting imported stuff if need be. Also the summers are SO SO SO hot it is relentless - see if you can negotiate 1-2 months away with the kids every summer (back home maybe?) to give them a break and some clean air..

[BellaDonna79]

I have been to india on holiday and growing up I lived all over the world. I loved it. I saw so many different ways of life and cultures and still consider myslef very very lucky to have had upbringing I did in that respect.
Little children are very adaptable, I'm sure your boys would slot right into a new way of life. Think of the memories they could have, even if they are only 4 and 6 when you move back here! They could learn a little hindi, children are much more comfortable picking up languages than adults and even very very basic stuff might put them ahead in the job market in 20 years (nothing like planning ahead!)

FWIW my grandfather grew up in Calcutta, (albeit 80 odd years ago in the days of the empire so things will have changed a lot) but he always maintained it was his true home, he loved it!

[4gotoindia]

ehhh... not all expats in India live the air-conditioner, generator, driver life!

[angy74]

Hi,
I lived in New Delhi for quite a few years, went to a posh independent school there, now there are loads of international schools,very good and demanding schooling, though one has to pay for education. You can loads of help with housework and other things. Nice place to live except fot the heat, not very safe especially when alone at night.
Lots of flats with full generator backup and cost of living is much cheaper as compared to uk.Kids will love it there..mine do whenever we go there for holidays. everybody has a great social life, everybody knows evrybody.