India as a destination is a sunny and effervescent country with a different mix of cultures and people. Placed in southern Asia, India is home to the second largest population in the world containing various religious and ethnic groups. When you relocate to India, you’d be astute to spend some time getting used to the Indian culture and adapting to different ways of doing things, rather than trying to change the new reality around you. If possible, be a witness and try not to impose your cultural judgments too soon. Growing economy India is one of the fastest emerging economies in the world and therefore is a lucrative investment destination for many corporations from around the world. The sixth biggest economy in the world is also a prosperous job market. It is confirmed that around 30,000 expatriates currently live in India and the number will increase in the next years. The main industries that hire expatriates in their fold are construction & engineering, financial services, telecom and IT. High income Expats living here, earn one of the highest average incomes in the world according to the HSBC Expat Explorer Survey. And most cities in India offer very high standard of living for a relatively low cost so expatriates here do live a ‘wealthy’ lifestyle. Expats who negotiate a profitable relocation package to move here, frequently afford luxuries that they wouldn’t be able to at home like chauffeurs, maid services, cookers.. Although due to India’s geographical expanse, cost of living does vary between the cities. Delhi and Mumbai will have a higher cost of living as compared to cities like Pune, Chennai, Kolkata or Bengaluru. Housing will be the highest expense in India, with property rates in New Delhi and Mumbai being particularly expensive. However, healthcare, education, and entertainment costs would be significantly cheaper than in the western countries. Language India is a linguistically varied nation and there are 23 official languages recognized. While Hindi is the official language of the central government of India, English is the provisional official sub language and is used as lingua franca. Nevertheless English is the main language of the trade and service sectors, it is always helpful to learn a few sentences in the local language to get along with people on the street, cab drivers, shopkeepers etc. Weather The weather in India includes a wide range of different weather conditions. India has six main climatic types, going from desert in the west, to alpine tundra and glaciers in the north, to humid tropical areas supporting tropical forest in the south and the island territories. Be always prepared for high temperatures and humidity, no matter where you are. Check out our destination guides to gather all the practical information you need to get started in a new location. For any query or information, you can get in touch with us here.