Need INFO on Bangalore and living conditions?

[Albotross]

Is it a good place to live? Cost of living? What would it cost for a western style apartment? They are willing to give me $800 month for rent. Thank you for you time guys.

[skytrek21]

If you need any help in Bangalore just let me know.....I am from there and I still have a house there too. I lived there for 19 yrs and it's a fantastic place to live. Lots of traffic and pollution. Always drink bottled water. THere are fantastic places to dine and go out. It's a really nice metro city. My family lives there and I visit often. If you need anything call me....also what company are you working for in India.....

[skytrek21]

Oh by the way 800 is pretty good money for rent....you can get a good place there for about 500-600 US.

[rsoman]

BLR win hands down over BOM, HYD and MAA anytime.

The one major city in India where heat and humidity is not an issue.

This is also simply the best Indian city to live in if you have young kids.

[Al Fakhem]

Bangalore is still hyped as a great place to live - it might have been 20 years ago, when it was still reasonably green and had an infrastructure that could support its population.

In the Indian context (and that means a generally very low expectations of nearly everything to do with public services such as power, water, transport, sanitation), it is at the higher end. In an international context, you'll be in for a bad surprise. You'll also find an appallingly high level of pollution. There are also no taxis plying the streets that you can flag down. You either get into a trishaw and suffer the heat and pollution, or phone for a "call taxi" that turns out to be the smallest and noisiest van available on the planet. Despite what you hear, the city is not "world class" (this is the euphemism used in the subcontinent for a town that has a shopping mall).

Make sure your accommodation has a standby generator that not only is there to support essentials such as the elevator and emergency lighting, but to provide standby power for all electrical outlets.

We had a duplex apartment near Ulsoor lake, with 3 BR, underground car park and roof garden for around Rs 80,000 per month (up to 2006). I hear the landlord has become greedy in the meantime.

[iamanaussiemavrick]

Bangalore is probably the best city in South India. One of the greenest of the all in India probably after Delhi.

People does understand english. Lots of International companies over there.
Information Technology hub of India.

When you compare to international cities like sydney etc it is a very small one.

But it would be one of the top 3 cities to live in India.

Crime rate is comparitively low than other cities.

Regarding transportation, all modes of transportation 'available' in India are there. Common ones are Trains, Autorickshaws, taxis, buses(government and private).

City traffic would be very high.


If you are looking for the best one in India obviously it would be a very good choice, but as the guy who posted before if you are looking in an international level probably below average city.

Hope that was informative.

[pira]

With all the respect to the people from the sub continent we must be honest and say that is crap. Everything is below any reasonable standard and if you are expecting anything other than this, you will be disappointed.

Pira

[Pushpak]

What made you go there Pira? and if still there what is holding you?
cheers

[iamanaussiemavrick]

What you meant sub standard??

India is one of the most beautiful country to live in.

Since i have lived outside india too i could say that.


India is a country which has respect for everything, for people, culture ,...

[lastdon]

Hi Albotross,

Please check this site: http://www.karnataka.com/

You will find most of information regarding the lifestyle in "begaluru".:)

Bangalore is a very nice place to stay (i stayed there for only 3 days, but i enjoyed and would want to visit sooooon :cool:). As compared to other international business hub you might find lower standards of infrastructure (well thats nothing new, we in india can manage with everything and still get work done!!;)).

But when it come's to social life. I can tell you its the best.

But you be there to experience the food , the night life and not to forget the real kind people i personally came across in bangalore. Unlike other south indian cities here language for me was not a concern.

Being from Mumbai, i tell you its a decent place to be with your family. :ok:

Good Luck and Best Wishes.

[Al Fakhem]

Albotross:

Please also do not forget the nightmare bureaucracy in India. For instance:

You will be subjected to rules and regulations that most Indians living overseas would not tolerate from their host countries. This includes having to register with the local commissioner of police, and having to inform him in writing 15 days in advance of any plan of travelling overseas regardless of length of intended stay abroad (so, even a day trip to Colombo has to be advised 15 days in advance). Also, any absence of more than 15 days outside of your city of residence - even if it's travelling around India - has to be notified 15 days in advance.

This applies to all foreign residents in India - regardless of nationality. And no, I am not Pakistani:ok:

[International Trader]

Only been to the airport but, can't get over the instant feeling of disgust as you roll out on Rwy 25 and get an instant hit of the smell of sh-t that enters the cabin at about 3/4ths down the runway!
The thousands of hungry mosquitos that attack once you get out must spread diseases.
Seen enough. How much better can it possibly get? Not better enough for me.

[Albotross]

Thanks for all the honest answers..I respect everything you all wrote. I'm looking forward to it, good or bad...I will make the best of everything and everyone in Bangalore.

Thank you...SAM

[pira]

Before moving to SE Asia I got a job in a corporate aircraft. I flew to bangalore a few times and stayed there for about 3 to 4 days. As you all said, people are very friendly there and really want to help you in whatever you need, but the infra structure is below any reasonable standard as well as the health care and transportation services. This is what I called sub - standard and sorry if you don't agree, but it was very clear to me that there are a lot to be done in order to give the population the minimum acceptable life quality.
Yes, it is one of the best cities in india and Yes, India is a beaultiful country with nice people, but it doesn't change the rest of my post.
Pira

[iamanaussiemavrick]

Mate,

I am not trying to argue with you. The only reason i have to tell is that India is a developing country which is enjoying its freedom only for the past 60 yrs(around). People here are not as rich as people in the developed countries and they dont get as much grands from the government. There are still a lot of people who cant even have food everyday. The infrastructure that we(indians) have is considered very high by the indians but as you said it is very below the international developed country standards, but still i reckon there are lots of facilitites in India that could be matched with the other developed countries.

When you relate it to a developed country, yes it is sub standard. But ask an Indian and he would say that the infrastructure in the Indian cities are very good.. It is all relative as said by Sir. Albert Einstein.

Being from a small village in India i can say this with confidence.

Bangalore is one of the place in India i reckon is the most clean and dynamic out of all other indian metros..

If you want to live in India i think it is one place after Mumbai where you can get all services, facilities and infrastructure..

Cheers.:ok:

[pira]

I agree that everything is relative.
Fair Enough!

[Al Fakhem]

iamanaussiemavrick:

I've mentioned this on another thread before, but it might be helpful in this context, too.

Please keep in mind that after 1945, Japan was a pile of rubble. Korea, after the Korean War in the fifites, was a pile of rubble. Malaysia did not become independent until 1957! Thai people in the fifities used to go to Rangoon (!!!) for upmarket shopping. In the late 70s, China was 20 years behind India. Almost every country in Asia started out from a pretty low base in the second half of the 20th century.

So, saying that India has enjoyed its freedom for only some 60 years is - perhaps unintentionally so - a damning statement. It's nice to be the world's greatest democracy - but in the case of India, it does not appear that the average person's (and thus the majority's) needs are being properly addressed by what is supposedly universal suffrage. How about safe drinking water for everyone? How about a safe and reliable public transport system? How about 24/7 electric power for everyone? I am reasonably sure that this is what the average voter wants - but in the last 60 years still has not been provided with.

It's nice to have a nuclear bomb, but other countries without nuclear and rocket scientists have managed to build a far more liveable place for their citizens in the last 60 years - starting more or less from the same low point.

Slogans such as "India shining" are nice - but there has to be substance to support them.

[getsetgo]

Britishers left india by dividing india.
took away all the money including kohinoor worlds biggest diamond.
And left india 200 years behind...........india is INDIA..

..IT WAS SHINING ...NOW ITS HOT.

handle with care:=


yes IT TOOK 60 YEARS FOR INDIA TO REACH THIS POSITION AS A DEVALOPING COUNTRY.

[flightknight]

I've travelled extensively in Southeast Asia for the past 25 years and have spent periods of time in India, including Bangalore.
At present there are a lot of MNC folks living in different parts of the country, mostly executives, entrepreneurs, educationists, spiritual and health care seekers, dual residents etc.
Living in India can be an adventure on its own for a "Westerner". Contagious diseases , hygiene, bureaucracy, visible poverty, communal unrest, unpredictable availability of basic necessities like water and electricity etc. Most folks who travel regularly and relocate are aware of these conditions and prepare themselves and their families.
The outsourced pilot in India is basically, a highly paid manual laborer (you have no rights or protections and rules and regulations can be changed without warning).
Indian folks are warm, courteous and patient.
Anyways, before you decide to sign that .........line, take a trip by yourself /wife/kids and experience India. It may be "for better or for worse", :=not just a repeat after me statement.

[rsoman]

This article pasted below (which cane in Indian Express on Aug 19 Sunday) is worth reading
http://www.newindpress.com/Sunday/sundayitems.asp?id=SEG20070816080758&eTitle=Insight&rLink=0

[haree]

A 3 Bedroom Apartment/Individual house just a few minutes walk away from the city centre would cost no more than US$750 The farther the cheaper and of course with lot of sattelite towns coming in and around bangalore , you can find enough westernised living zones.
As Rsoman mentioned , Bangalore has the best climate compared to Hyderabad Chennai Delhi or Mumbai (If you prefer dry and warm places) but lot of pollutants floating in the air children might catch cold/cough often.
The modern and funky bangalore is only a 3 mile stretch beyond which the city reveals its not-so-modern south indian roots. Traffic jams , potholes slums and slush can be seen almost everywhere.
Jobwise... The new airport is coming up 35 kms away from the city and there is no high speed rail or highway anywhere on the horizon and the real estate rates in the nearest inhabitable area is rocketing towars mars. So plan for a 2-3 hr commute to airport for a 25 min flight if you live IN bangalore.
As for living there are enough malls , pubs and discos around here (Not as much as Mumbai though) but the night life halts at 11:30 PM (9:30 in chennai) unless of course you party in any of the many 5 Star hotels where they have permission to stay open 24X7 :E:*
Haree

[Albotross]

Thanks for the great info buddy....anything on the shots that we need before getting to India???? SAM

[haree]

Thanks for the great info buddy....anything on the shots that we need before getting to India???? SAM

I personally donot think that you'd need any shots to move anywhere in india except the deep rain forests in the east :hmm:

On the safer side almost every indian is vaccinated for Hepatitis B these days but otherwise i dont think there is need for any other shots

P.S If the "Shots" you meant was something else .. pardon me

[hermione]

Hi Al Fakhem,
interesting comments.
Would you take a wife with you ? (This is an adaptable one, who already spent time in a third-world country, although not as big as India!)
Would it be safe place for her?
H.



Bangalore is still hyped as a great place to live - it might have been 20 years ago, when it was still reasonably green and had an infrastructure that could support its population.

In the Indian context (and that means a generally very low expectations of nearly everything to do with public services such as power, water, transport, sanitation), it is at the higher end. In an international context, you'll be in for a bad surprise. You'll also find an appallingly high level of pollution. There are also no taxis plying the streets that you can flag down. You either get into a trishaw and suffer the heat and pollution, or phone for a "call taxi" that turns out to be the smallest and noisiest van available on the planet. Despite what you hear, the city is not "world class" (this is the euphemism used in the subcontinent for a town that has a shopping mall).

Make sure your accommodation has a standby generator that not only is there to support essentials such as the elevator and emergency lighting, but to provide standby power for all electrical outlets.

We had a duplex apartment near Ulsoor lake, with 3 BR, underground car park and roof garden for around Rs 80,000 per month (up to 2006). I hear the landlord has become greedy in the meantime.
http://www.pprune.org/forums/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif http://www.pprune.org/forums/images/buttons/report.gif (http://www.pprune.org/forums/report.php?p=3432418)

[haree]

Not to mention the Autorikshaws which charge different amounts for varying nationalities or they simply deny to come to places where they donot want to go.. simple! Unlike say for example Mumbai where a Taxi will be ready to drop you to your neighbours house or a friends house 50 miles away without any problem or chennai and delhi where the friendly auto guys come anywhere but you gotta pay them what they ask you!

Haree

[jumpdrive]

quite simple................BLR sucks

i was there for over a year & let me tell you its simply a mess
& an undesirable place to be for an expat
and having said this. let me point this out a bit more clear
you have to get one thing straight here guys ((( expat pilots )))
we have a different standard in life for categorizing or qualifying stuff
specially when it comes to city's compared to the locals


i have had some conversation topics with some indian f/o's i've flown with they would come & say that NEW YORK or some other place in Europe
are horrible, or a mess, or that LONDON traffic its crazy,
or that BKK sucks or that people in paris are not friendly @ all,
so buckle up for a surprise here with the locals std's

& then i wonder why they shoot ALL, and i mean ALL
theyre mega blockbuster bollywood movies in places LIKE...........
switzerland..........germany.........singapore..........
england............USA............you name it
dont know why they go abroad to film
when here in BLR they have all the same facilities
youll never see a sceen with BIG B in kubbon park
but......................those are theyre standards!!!!!
it's carzy....................or stupid ..............or clever
however you point of view is

you mentioned @ the beggining the cost of living
well if you want to live well you can go out all the time
to restaurants..............& prepare your wallet..........
its not cheap eating out here it's just as same price as you were in US
or toulouse for a dinner when you enter @ SUNNY's for example
not to mention leela palace's buffet on sunday
ridicule prices!!!!!, but nice food................
or @ least what you are used to
MEAT, BEEF, SALMON, HAM, BACON

but thats india a place of extremes
in one hand the mega DELL o micrsoft building
& next to it a pile of s&@# the size of a basketball court
not to mention the smell next to the royal orchid hotel, holy S$^%$#

it's super polluted, caos in traffic, elec goes out 87 times a day
i dont know why people go crazy about having
that so called garden city as base
((((((theres no gardens where you can go & play frissbee)))))) as base
the airport is a mess OLD smelly small place, needless to mention
the operations on the ground as a pilot
9 out of 10 times youll get this answer from other expat piltos
the weather............meaning the temperature...........what tha F%$@
youll solve that in any city here with Aircond
in my house now.................NOT BLR..............
i never tourn off the AC, its round 20 degrees inside the entire house
traffic its 237 times better, its lot less polluted than Bangalore
i find here that pubs & bar close @ 5 or 6 am
try that out in bangalore
theyll kick you out of HINT @ 10 pm
and its back home to watch HBO

totally agree with AlFakhem

im hopeing that someone opens a GOA or maldives base
thatll be different

[haree]

im hopeing that someone opens a GOA or maldives base
thatll be different
I'm afraid expats would have to put up with places like Pune Ahmedabad Jaipur Coimbatore Thiruvananthapuram Mangalore and Calicut in the future.. where the heck is the parking space!! :ugh:

[Al Fakhem]

hermione:

Whether or not you would take your wife with you depends very much on your schedule. The problem for any wife in any expat situation will be how she can meet others in a similar situation. It's always easy/easier for the hubby, as he can establish contacts at work. If you're going to be out of town a lot, think twice.

Unlike other Asian cities we've lived in, we were not been able to find a club (even sports club) that has a reasonably high level of expat membership.

It might be easier if you have kids at school and your wife can meet other mothers through school activities - although I've heard that international schools in Bangalore do not focus much on sports - so no rowing breakfasts, rugby mornings or swimming pool functions.....

We solved it this way: my wife would commute in and out of BKK, where we have a house and she has a business. Two weeks in BLR and two weeks in BKK.

It might also help if you find a self-contained residential complex with supermarket and club house.