🇮🇳 India

Living in India — Reviews & ratings

Start with a city and a neighbourhood

India is difficult to sum up with one description. A useful starting point is the place where you would actually spend your days. Compare neighbourhoods around your workplace or school, rather than choosing a home from photographs alone.

Think about the ordinary things: buying groceries, getting home after dark, finding somewhere to walk and meeting friends. These details can shape your experience more than proximity to famous sights.

Look beyond the advertised rent

Before choosing accommodation, ask about the deposit, maintenance charges, electricity, water supply and internet connection. Check ventilation, cooling and noise at different times of day.

Build a budget around your own habits. Cooking at home, ordering meals, using taxis and choosing imported products can produce very different monthly totals. Describing India simply as cheap or expensive leaves out how someone actually lives.

Try the journey you will make every day

Check your route during the hours you expect to travel. A short distance on a map does not tell you how predictable or comfortable the journey will be.

Where public transport is available, consider the whole trip, including the walk to the station and the final connection. For remote work, test the internet inside the property and ask about arrangements during power interruptions.

Understand the local rhythm

India has substantial regional differences in languages, food and customs. Find out which languages are useful where you plan to stay. Learning a few local phrases can make everyday interactions easier.

Weather also deserves attention. Mountain areas, inland cities and coastal locations have different conditions. Research the hotter and wetter periods for your destination, especially if you have only visited during a comfortable season.

Check the services your household needs

Look into nearby clinics, schools or childcare according to your circumstances. Ask about availability, communication, fees and the journey from home instead of relying on a general impression of services across the country.

When writing a review, explain where and when you stayed. Share what worked, what took time to get used to and what you would do differently. Rate healthcare or education only if you have used them personally.