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Moving to Delhi

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Moving to Delhi has become more popular for expats in recent years, the beautiful architecture along with the diverse culture makes it an exquisite location. On this page we will discuss the main important features about moving to Delhi.

Why move to Delhi?

The recent developments in Delhi’s economy makes it an increasing attractive country for expats to move to. It’s rapid growth of Delhi’s key industries, including IT and telecommunications, means there is a high demand for experienced employees, many who will be recruited from abroad. The beautiful architecture along with the exquisite cuisine make moving to Delhi a top choice.

Visas

A visa is needed when entering Delhi. If you are wanting to stay for longer than 180 days you must register at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO)

How much will it cost you to move to Delhi?

Moving to Delhi will vary in cost depending on a variety of factors. The main ones being:

  • Household size
  • Type of transport
  • Insurance
  • Additional services

To find out accurate quotes for your removal to Delhi, fill out our free removal quote form. This only takes a few minutes and can receive up to 5 quotes as well as save up to 40% on your move.

For a quicker estimate of the cost of your move, below is an estimate of the price to move from the UK to Delhi by sea. On average this move will take around 4-7 weeks. These costs are not including some features such as taxes, duties, insurance etc.

Household sizeCost
1 bed£2,900 – £4,800
2 bed£6,200 – £10,200
3 bed£9,600 – £15,800
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Life in Delhi

Living in Delhi will be very different in comparison the UK. This can be from minor differences such as eating habits to factors that may affect you living in the country, such as inequality of sexes.

Raising kids

If you’re moving to Delhi with children there are a few things that should be taken into considerations before moving. Due to the common race in Delhi being Indian, it is not common for a child with blonde hair and blue eyes to be seen. Strangers will try to touch, take pictures and even kissing your kids. This may not occur as often in expat areas but areas with less tourism it is wise to maybe put a hat on them to prevent any unnecessary drama.

Women

Although equality is a big encouragement around the world, it is not a success everywhere yet. Delhi being one of these locations. Working women will often be advised what to wear, our skirt suits will not be appropriate for business in India. It is also advised to cover your shoulders in the work place.

House staff

Although this is seen as a luxury feature in the UK it is not uncommon for many individuals to have drivers, cleaners and even cooks. These luxuries come at a small price and many expats decide to opt in, especially the drivers option as public transport can be quite daunting as we will later on explain.

Moving to Delhi

Culture

The culture is extremely different in comparison to the UK. For starters the country is very religious and you should respect the way you dress in front of locals in case offence is taken. The other main cultural differences include:

Food

A key difference in the food in Delhi is the spices put in their dishes. Their foods have such a burst of flavour and is highly recommended to try the local cuisine. There are various markets that will sell local fruit and vegetables at low prices.

Meeting people

In order to mix in with the local people and make friends it is important to indulge yourself into tasks they will commonly do. For example attending the traditional handicrafts and culinary classes will help gain insight as well as make new friends. People in Delhi are known for their friendly nature so even speaking to your neighbours can create useful contacts.

Climate

Delhi has extreme climates. During the summer months adequate precautions need to be taken, to avoid the intense heat, such as wearing light cotton clothing, wearing a hat or sunshade while going outdoors and drinking plenty of liquids.

Although the heat may want you to reduce the amount of clothing you are wearing, it is important to still remain respectful with this factor. Religion is an important aspect of life in Delhi so covering up in summer months may be a difficult factor to become custom to.

Health risks in Delhi

Safety risks

Expats should consult their embassy in India for health and safety advice before moving to India. Although most expats don’t experience this problem first hand, it is still important to be aware of it. Terrorist warnings are issued on a regular basis, and people moving to India should be aware of that risk.

Health risks

It is important to get vaccinations up to date before moving to Delhi. Common health risks include:

  • Dengue fever
  • Chikungunya
  • Malaria
  • Rabies
  • Hepatitis type A and B

Standard vaccinations such as DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus), polio, and MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) should be thought into before moving to India. So it is important to get in contact with your local doctors before moving to Delhi

What’s the best form of transport around Delhi?

Before moving to Delhi is is important to know that the infrastructure and transportation networks might be challenging at first. Roads in urban areas are constantly congested, and driving is chaotic and very stressful. The public transport in Delhi will be very different to what you are used to in the UK. For starters the greatest difference will be the frequency and reliability of them.

Many expats will usually hire drivers or get taxis due to the trains, busses etc being very busy. Travelling by taxi requires a certain degree of local know-how as fares are often haggled over rather than charged according to a taxi meter. Newcomers moving to India should therefore get advice on taxi fares before travelling, or calculate a rough taxi fare in advance. Taxi auto fare is a good website where you can calculate this.

How to secure a perfect home

Finding accommodation can be quite difficult in comparison to other European countries. India has the second largest population therefore a large demand for houses comes hand in hand. There are many rental house options available in Delhi which can suit everyone’s choice and budget. Flats, villas, bungalows, duplexes and penthouses are commonly available for rent in the city.

If you’re planning to rent an apartment in Delhi, it is best to go through a professional real estate agency. Common ones in Delhi include:

Cost of living in Delhi

In comparison to London prices, moving to Delhi will open your eyes to how much you can actually get for your money. Below is an overview of the general costs associated with living in Delhi:

London costDelhi cost
Restaurant meal 1 person£15.00£2.99
Month transport pass£130.00£10.78
Monthly utilities£144.07£45.92
1 bed rent per month£1,680.64£188.60
Monthly salary£2,193.23£507.14

We hope that after reading this article you feel like you know everything you need to know about how to move to New Delhi. In case you need further assistance with your move to this wonderful city, we recommend checking out the pages we’ve linked for you below. Good luck! 🙂