Bangalore is often referred to as the Silicon Valley of India and it enjoys the status of being the Indian city with the best expat lifestyle. Big names in the IT industry such as Google and Dell among many others all have their offices here and the city is home to a rising expat population. So, what exactly makes Bangalore such a great expat destination?
Lifestyle
Even though Bangalore can still be considered a developing city, the quality of life is comfortable for most expats. Affectionately referred to as the Garden City, Bangalore is known for its peaceful suburbs and many expanses of green. The pace of life is not as hectic, even though it is a metropolis.Bangalore is also at the forefront of India’s technology industry and was the first Indian city to become electrified in 1905. Since much of Bangalore consists of a working population, Indians and expats, who move to the city for its lucrative job opportunities, the culture is a lot more open-minded and accommodating. The city has many great restaurants and shopping places. It is also surrounded by hill stations and small towns that make for excellent weekend getaways. Mysore, for instance, is the closest holiday destination and is 150km away from Bangalore. There’s also Chikmagalur famous for its coffee, the former French colony of Pondicherry and rustic Wayanad, which also houses a wildlife sanctuary.
For those who love cities with a vibrant nightlife, Bangalore will not disappoint. From open-air lounges to little eclectic bars, expats are sure to feel at home here.
The shopping options available in Bangalore will suit any expat, irrespective of your budget as you will find here street markets as well as sophisticated malls. One of the popular shopping destinations in the city is Commercial Street, which is a storehouse of clothes, jewelry and even sports equipment. For Indian handicrafts and antiques, Mahatma Gandhi Road is the best place to visit. Another advantage of living in Bangalore is the good Internet connectivity and wide availability of online shopping portals, many of which are headquartered in Bangalore and provide much quicker deliveries within the city.
Accommodation
New residential complexes are cropping across the city and many of these are constructed by the top names in the Indian real estate industry. But expats should be aware that not all residences are equipped with security systems and facilities that match up to international standards. There are many accommodation options to choose from, ranging from residential apartments and serviced apartments to villas and bungalows. Property prices vary depending on the type of residence. The high-end residential complexes equipped with swimming pools, tennis courts and clubhouses are likely to cost more. Bungalows and villas are a popular choice for expats because they include space for setting up a yard or a play area for children. Some of these residences may require you to arrange for your own power generator and security. Quite a few companies also reserve apartment homes and suburban villas for their overseas employees.
Work opportunities
Many companies in Bangalore employ expats for management positions. There are also opportunities available in the fields of accent training in call centers, translation, real estate, banking, biotechnology, aviation, animation and gaming and automotive manufacturing. Some expats move to Bangalore when the overseas company they were working at relocates them to India. There are also Indian companies that reach out to qualified professionals overseas. In order to travel to and work in Bangalore, nationals of all other countries require a visa. The type of visa depends on the purpose for visiting India.
Healthcare
Bangalore is still not fully equipped with advanced infrastructure and facilities, but it does hope to become an important destination for international health tourism. There have been many modern corporate hospitals established in recent years and expats will benefit from the affordable and high-quality healthcare at such places. Since healthcare comes at a low cost in Bangalore, expats can take advantage of this and avail of comprehensive health insurance cover. Most employers provide health insurance for their employees in Bangalore. There are some hospitals in Bangalore that have begun to offer specialized treatments for conditions such as heart disease and spinal problems, which draw many patients from overseas.