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The country of India has over one billion inhabitants. It has been experiencing a significant increase in the amount of businesses entering and establishing themselves in both the urban and more rural areas. It is a land of various cultures and beliefs and though there is much international business, there remain many areas suffering from staggering unemployment and crippling poverty.
Life in the cities and urban areas can be dramatically different than locations only a few train stops away. The life expectancy for men and women does not exceed sixty-six years and more than forty percent of the country’s families live in single room dwellings. There are some areas with a strong curfew due to recent uprisings, and these tend to be in the Kashmir and northeastern areas primarily.
This all presents some challenges to anyone looking to relocate to India. It should be emphasized that the statistics do not apply to all areas and there are some regions in which expatriates can live comfortably and safely in the lush environment.
If working in India is of interest, the traditional business hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some government offices have Saturday hours, but this can vary widely. Most businesses close for lunch at 1 p.m. each day and shops tend to be open seven days a week with early hours on Sunday.
The cultural diversity of India makes it well worth any considerations and inhabitants can take advantage of the traditional Indian willingness to invite foreigners to participate in festivals or religious traditions.
It is important to note that foreigners are unable to purchase property in India, so those looking to relocate on a permanent basis will have to find a long-term lease or rental property, and also expect some increases in the cost due to the ever-increasing population, particularly in the major urban areas.
One benefit of living and working in India is that, while housing may be on the rise, fresh foods from the many local markets are cheap and abundant. Imported items tend to be very expensive, but the local goods are perfectly adequate for most needs.
A majority of people who have relocated to India praise the inhabitants for their friendliness and comment often on the strange existence of the ancient past and modern times that occurs so often throughout the country. Most make a regular habit of exploring other areas and find it one of the most beautiful and enchanting places to live.