Wednesday, December 25, 2013

What i have learnt after 1 year in India

This was long overdue. But i thought i would share what i have experience so far. 

General
  1. I don't regret the decision so far
  2. Emotionally it was and is a great decision. 
  3. Financially you will definitely do better in the US (Again if you earn and plan to live in the US it might be a wash, but if you plan to come back at some point it is worth accumulating the greens)
  4. With time you get used to India
India
  1. A lot has changed and yet nothing has changed (you can fill in the blanks)
  2. Can get everything (but there is a price to pay)
  3. What can be got under 1 roof @Target, Costco or Walmart might need 5 trips to different shops and you may not find what you were looking for
Family 
  1. Kids settle in faster, my kids are small so i had no issues
  2. Wives might take a longer time
Schools
  1. A lot of pressure to succeed (rightfully so), again my kids are young so my knowledge is second hand.
Work
  1. Attitudes are different (might be a shock for the R2I'ers)
  2. A lot of know it all's at the workplace (as Indians we are probably used to this)
  3. Hours will be long
  4. Be prepared to work with low quality workers. Though i am a big homer for India and all things Indian this is one area i was shocked. The quality of graduates is appalling, what will take a day in the US to get done will take 5. 
Sports
  1. For the Golf enthusiasts or non enthusiast i suggest investing in it In India you might have to fork out some money to be a part of a Golf club but Golf is the best way to network in India.
Life in General
  1. If you are person for whom people matter more than the place, India is great. If the place matters you will have to make adjustments. example... if you having a craving for Mexican food you might be hard pressed to find a restaurant.
  2. Domestic help is available, makes your life a little easy.
  3. Good friends will make life fun matter where you live  
  4. Lot of people become members of clubs (i.e Gymkhana, Cosmopolitan, Round Table) good way to meet and socialize with the upper crust.

Monthly Expenses:

This is just a rough estimate (without mortgage or rent)

Groceries (for 4 people):  Max Rs 15,000 - Rs 17,000
Milk etc: Rs 2500
Domestic help: Rs 12000  (if you have a driver and a maid)
Gas: Avg car gives 12-13 KM/LT, 1 LT @Rs. 75   (Rs 5000 if you travel 20 KM/Day)
Electricity: Paid Once in 2 months (in Chennai) with 2 A/C running in the night (Rs 7000-8000 for 2 months)

I think Rs.1 Lakh  should cover all expenses (mortgage/rent and car payments are unknown factors)