New Delhi

[oh lord]

Husband was recently approached for a senior position with a MNC in New Delhi and after reading up a bit on the internet, I am not terribly excited at the idea anymore. However, could someone shed some light from an expat perspective on what would living in New Delhi be like for a family with 3 kids under 9? Schooling, travel, safety etc etc. Would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Don't go]

It would be awful. Do whatever it takes to persuade your husband not to go.

[no way]

not on your life.

[oh lord]

would $500k p.annum help to make the horrendous surrounding a bit more bearable? The money sounds great otherwise we wont even consider it. We are only expected to be there for 5 years. Could you guys elaborate a bit more on the pros, if any, and the cons? Anyone lived there?

[Delhi belly]

$500K sounds good! A few tips:
1. Schools - you have the American school or the British school which are both good. The top private schools are also of very good quality but the kids might find the change a bit much? Cost of international schools will be about the same as here.
2. Lots of housing from farms houses near the city, houses in the city to apartments
3. You will be able to get driver and house help though getting the right type could be trying. You need local advice or help for this
4. Travel - recommend you use the driver all the time since the traffic (and disregard for rules) can be challenging!
5. Safety - as an expat if you live in a house you should get a guard/watchman from one of the well known private security firms which is de riguer. As safe or unsafe as may other large cities of the developing world but certainly not as safe as Singers. You will typically live in the safer areas - and I would recommend living in a good apartment or condo which will include good security.

I would suggest you speak to some expats in Delhi (there are many!) to get an independent point of view. Professionally, I am sure it will be exciting and challenging and that explains why many expats are taking up opportunities in India. Hope this helps.

[oh lord]

Thanks, Delhi Belly! I tried google-ing New Delhi and not getting many good info especially on living there from expat perspective. Will google on international schools next. The package on offer includes schooling, driver, accommodation (the company owns high end residential developements among others so I guess that part will get sorted by them), insurance and medical, flights etc - I guess a full expat package - so that makes it very, very tempting. The only thing is the chaos and madness of (not to mention the weather) the city worries me a bit. But I am also really intrigue by the culture and history of the place. Would be interesting to see, feel and be apart of for a bit. Will do a bit more reading. If anyone else have any experience living in New Delhi, I would really appreciate some sharing.. Thanks again.

[If....]

it's double of what you are making then go for it. Money goes a long way in India.

BTW taxes are 35%...and if you are an american factor your home taxes too

[Still not enough]

Imagine living in a climate where for 3 months of the year venturing outside is to be avoided at all costs because it's so hot, humid and polluted.

If you think it's hot here, wait until you've experienced a Delhi summer. Temps in the 40-44 degrees range make it truly unbearable.

Maybe those are the months you and your kids could make a trip back home.

[Manager]

The last two families I sent there got divorced.  It truly is aweful.  If moeny makes you happy go for it.

Expatriate lifestyle is little more than embassy and expat get togethers at homes and hotels.

We give our people 3 R&Rs and one home leave. R&R circle includes London and SEA. Even with 4 trips out per year it still sucks.

If it includes car and driver see if you can get a second car and driver.  SO will work a bit far from expat housing and with traffic multiple runs are not an option.  We dont' give a second car but everyone has had to get one.

Interestingly most companies cost of lliving calulator wil show a negative cost of living or a zero adjustment to COLA even though you will likely be shopping at some pricey places.

All raw food must be thoroughly washed and sanitized. This includes fresh vegetables.  All fruits not skinable should be avoided.  Meats should be well done.  One of our spouses reports to me that she made a deal with a hotel and buys meat from their kitchen at exhorbitant prices.  She sweares she won't buy local meat. You will still get Delhi Belly a few times during your stay.

If at all possible you should take an extended look see before committing.  Your kids will be miserable.

[oh lord]

Sounds a lot more complicated than just the bottom dollar. Ugh..would have been so much easier if the offer is for Calgary (like on the other thread).. I'd go in a second! Much more thinking to do and yes, will need to do a look see before deciding. Ta...

[White Delhi Doll]

Delhi is not the same expat scene like Singapore or Hong Kong - but it is a truly marvellous city.  Here is some stuff you should consider though.

Farm houses are gorgeous - who wouldn't want a mansion on 5 acres with pools and gardens etc?  Well factor in that most of them are a good hour's drive from the international schools.  That's an hour to school to drop them off, and an hour back.  Twice a day.  My advice - live as close to school as you can afford.  With your package you can look at areas like Lodi, Jor Bagh, Chanakyapuri, Khan Market, Vasant Vihar etc

Drivers - you will have them and use them, but Delhi is not safe like here.  I would never send my kids in the car with just the driver, or a maid.

You will meet other expats - but it's not as tight or as easy here.  If you have kids you'll make lots of friends through school, and the MNC will also have a network.  Failing that, hang out in the Lodi Gardens in the mornings and wait for all the white women with prams.  Plenty of expats also cruise around Vasant Vihar shops.

Getting good home help is critical - if you do, they will deal with the marketing, the water, the help - but Indian help is not like a good Filippina, you will have to be aware of, and supervise everything.

Yes - 3 months of summer are VILE but no one on your package has an issue.  You will have a generator, or two attached to your lovely bungalow and when the locals are sweltering without electricity you will run your aircon.  When the mains water supply is turned off for two days, you'll have 7 storage tanks to keep you going.  Delhi is just about being organised and planning.

And, big plus, when it's hot and revolting in Delhi - well you''ve got all of India to explore.  There are hill stations within hours of Delhi - take a cottage in Shimla, summer in the mountains, fly to Goa or anywhere in the South and laze on the beach.  School breaks over the hot summer so go home.

Winter is brilliant.  Delhi is full of monuments museaums, cultural performances and life.  You are so close to Agra, Jaipur and the rest of Rajasthan.  Stick your kids on the Shatabdi and see India from airconditioned comfort.

There are world class hospitals in Delhi now - even americans are coming there for surgery because of the quality and cost.  The sickness thing is vastly overdone.  If you make an effort you will be fine.  There are quality butchers, and all the western goods you could want available at Vasant Vihar or INA market.  No beef mince, and I wouldn't trust the pork, but other than that.

Look ultimately - if you go to India at gun point feeling horrified, you'll have a rotten time.  If Singapore is your idea of heaven, you'll have a rotten time, but if you are open to new things and interested in the real world it will be the experience of a life time.

Wish I had such a good offer.

[Dellhi Belly]

"Manager" seems to rely completely on third hand info which seems to come from some expats looking to get a better deal from Head office. To attribute divorces to a Delhi posting is stretching the envelope a bit! And the food/climate situation is not as bad as it is being made out. The previous poster has provided a very level headed response e.g some great getaways in summer in the hills. The best way to get a sense of the place is to go for a visit and meet some expats - I am sure your company or other friends can put you in touch. I have worked in some "tough" locations and if I had listened to the negativity from the naysayers I would have missed out on all the wonderful experiences.     

[Hear Hear]

People don't get divorced because of a city.  They may get divorced if one partner proves to be totally unsympathetic to the needs of the other and it all blows up over a posting, but the problems are usually existing.

Yvonne McNulty - who you can search the net for - has done four years of research into the impacts of overseas postings on trailing spouses (though particularly 2 career families).  If you read her work there are very sensible suggestions about how to ensure that the family is happy and the posting is more successful for everyone.

[I have to agree...]

...with White Delhi Doll.

If you go into Delhi having already decided about feeling miserable , you will hate it.

On the other hand , you will be living in one of the most historically significant cities in the world. If you go with an open mind , India will unfold in all her magnificence before you.

Do take precautions obviously - Delhi is not as safe as Singapore (which city is ??) , but neither is it as bad as Johannesburg or Bogota - don't let all the negative press stop you (especially not talk of a divorce !!) .

The sights that you will see here will probably be unparalleled - I can guarantee you that most talk of the heat and dirt will go up in the air when you catch your first glimpse of the Taj Mahal or when you check into the Oberoi Udaivilas (the world's best hotel in Udaipur - google it if you don't believe me ).Ride the palace on wheels and see what enchantment is really like

With your package , you have an opportunity to see India as few other people can - do not miss it .

[oh lord]

Thank you. I am glad to see something positive said about the place. Yes, one of the thing that got me pretty excited in the beginning is the culture and history of the place - it would something to see, feel and be apart of - for a bit. But obviously, I am no longer the single carefree person that I was. Now I have to factor in my kids and how they will cope and adapt, their safety and well being. Sigh..sometimes I kinda miss the carefree life. Thanks white delhi doll...