10 Best Places for Families to Live in India

If you're dreaming about moving with your family to India and haven't decided where to live, here are some of the best places for international families to live in India.

Mumbai

Mumbai is a vibrant city that offers a plethora of activities and facilities for international families. For children, the city is home to several museums such as the Nehru Science Centre and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, both of which offer interactive exhibits and educational programs tailored for young minds. Mumbai also boasts numerous parks and recreational areas like the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Hanging Gardens, providing ample space for outdoor activities and family picnics. For those interested in athletics, the city offers several facilities such as the Andheri Sports Complex and Otters Club, which have swimming pools, gyms, and various sports courts that welcome families. Additionally, there are numerous sports clubs like the Mumbai Cricket Association Academy and the Bombay Gymkhana that cater to children, offering training in cricket, football, and other sports. With its rich cultural heritage, diverse food scene, and bustling markets, Mumbai provides a unique and enriching living experience for international families.

Bangalore

Bangalore, often referred to as the "Silicon Valley of India", is a cosmopolitan city that provides a welcoming environment for international families. For children, the city offers a variety of educational and recreational activities. The Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, for instance, offers interactive exhibits and educational programs that are designed to engage young minds. The city is also home to numerous parks and recreational areas such as Cubbon Park and Lalbagh Botanical Garden, which provide ample space for outdoor activities and family outings. For families interested in sports and fitness, Bangalore offers several athletic facilities. The Karnataka Athletic Association and the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence, for example, have swimming pools, gyms, and various sports courts that are family-friendly. Additionally, there are numerous sports clubs like the Bangalore Football Club and the Karnataka Badminton Association that cater to children, offering training in various sports. With its pleasant climate, diverse food scene, and vibrant cultural life, Bangalore offers a unique and enriching living experience for international families.

Pune

Pune, often referred to as the Oxford of the East, is a city that offers a welcoming environment for international families. For children, Pune is home to a variety of educational and recreational activities. The Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, for instance, offers interactive exhibits and educational programs that are designed to engage young minds. The city also boasts numerous parks and recreational areas such as the Osho Teerth Park and the Pune-Okayama Friendship Garden, providing ample space for outdoor activities and family outings. For families interested in sports and fitness, Pune offers several athletic facilities. The Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex and the Solaris Club, for example, have swimming pools, gyms, and various sports courts that are family-friendly. Additionally, there are numerous sports clubs like the Deccan Gymkhana and the Pune District Football Association that cater to children, offering training in various sports. With its pleasant climate, diverse food scene, and vibrant cultural life, Pune offers a unique and enriching living experience for international families.

"Shopping at the smaller shops is fun. Mostly prices are marked and we often go with friends who also make sure we don't get unduly ripped off. We food shop at a variety of places. If we are hungry for some home-style food then high priced supermarkets that cater for expats have to be used. Mostly, we use the smaller supermarkets that locals use (often with helpful tips from neighbors who tell us what time fresh veg is delivered so we can time our visits. We also often buy from markets and street vendors. Naturally, we wash the produce thoroughly. We always buy flowers from street stalls. We find that quality and life of the flowers is invariably better than from the supermarket back home. The people are mostly very friendly and also openly curious. That's different to westerners but also enjoyable," said one expat living in Pune.

Hyderabad

Hyderabad, often referred to as the City of Pearls, is a vibrant city that offers a welcoming environment for international families. For children, Hyderabad is home to a variety of educational and recreational activities. The Birla Science Museum, for instance, offers interactive exhibits and educational programs that are designed to engage young minds. The city also boasts numerous parks and recreational areas such as the Lumbini Park and the KBR National Park, providing ample space for outdoor activities and family outings. For families interested in sports and fitness, Hyderabad offers several athletic facilities. The Gachibowli Indoor Stadium and the Hyderabad Gymkhana, for example, have swimming pools, gyms, and various sports courts that are family-friendly. Additionally, there are numerous sports clubs like the Hyderabad Cricket Association and the Hyderabad Sailing Club that cater to children, offering training in various sports. With its pleasant climate, diverse food scene, and vibrant cultural life, Hyderabad offers a unique and enriching living experience for international families.

"Basically, in India, daily life revolves around five quadrant i.e family, work, religion, self and socializing. But for the past few years the younger generation are more focused on work and being financially secured, unlike the older generation who had a higher level of contentment," commented an expat living in Hyderabad.

Chennai

Chennai, often referred to as the Gateway to South India, is a city that provides a welcoming environment for international families. For children, Chennai is home to a variety of educational and recreational activities. The Birla Planetarium, for instance, offers interactive exhibits and educational programs that are designed to engage young minds. The city also boasts numerous parks and recreational areas such as the Guindy National Park and the Marina Beach, providing ample space for outdoor activities and family outings. For families interested in sports and fitness, Chennai offers several athletic facilities. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and the SDAT Aquatic Complex, for example, have swimming pools, gyms, and various sports courts that are family-friendly. Additionally, there are numerous sports clubs like the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association and the Chennai Football Club that cater to children, offering training in various sports. With its pleasant climate, diverse food scene, and vibrant cultural life, Chennai offers a unique and enriching living experience for international families.

New Delhi

New Delhi, the capital city of India, is a vibrant and diverse city that offers a welcoming environment for international families. For children, New Delhi is home to a variety of educational and recreational activities. The National Science Centre, for instance, offers interactive exhibits and educational programs that are designed to engage young minds. The city also boasts numerous parks and recreational areas such as the Lodhi Gardens and the Nehru Park, providing ample space for outdoor activities and family outings. For families interested in sports and fitness, New Delhi offers several athletic facilities. The Siri Fort Sports Complex and the Yamuna Sports Complex, for example, have swimming pools, gyms, and various sports courts that are family-friendly. Additionally, there are numerous sports clubs like the Delhi Cricket Association and the Delhi Football Club that cater to children, offering training in various sports. With its pleasant climate, diverse food scene, and vibrant cultural life, New Delhi offers a unique and enriching living experience for international families.

Gurgaon

Gurgaon, a rapidly growing city in India, offers a welcoming environment for international families. For children, Gurgaon is home to a variety of educational and recreational activities. The Museum of Folk and Tribal Art, for instance, offers interactive exhibits and educational programs that are designed to engage young minds. The city also boasts numerous parks and recreational areas such as the Leisure Valley Park and the Aravalli Biodiversity Park, providing ample space for outdoor activities and family outings. For families interested in sports and fitness, Gurgaon offers several athletic facilities. The Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex and the Fitso SEALs Swimming Academy, for example, have swimming pools, gyms, and various sports courts that are family-friendly. Additionally, there are numerous sports clubs like the Gurgaon Cricket Club and the Gurgaon Football Academy that cater to children, offering training in various sports. With its pleasant climate, diverse food scene, and vibrant cultural life, Gurgaon offers a unique and enriching living experience for international families.

Noida

Noida, a thriving city in India, provides a welcoming and vibrant environment for international families. For children, Noida offers a plethora of educational and recreational activities. The Stellar Children's Museum, for instance, offers interactive exhibits and educational programs that are designed to engage young minds. The city also boasts numerous parks and recreational areas such as the Noida Botanical Garden and the Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal and Green Garden, providing ample space for outdoor activities and family outings. For families interested in sports and fitness, Noida offers several athletic facilities. The Noida Stadium and the Fitso SEALs Swimming Academy, for example, have swimming pools, gyms, and various sports courts that are family-friendly. Additionally, there are numerous sports clubs like the Noida Cricket Club and the Noida Football Academy that cater to children, offering training in various sports. With its pleasant climate, diverse food scene, and vibrant cultural life, Noida offers a unique and enriching living experience for international families.

Kolkata

Kolkata, is a vibrant city that offers a plethora of activities and amenities for international families. For children, the city boasts several museums with kid-friendly exhibits and activities, such as the Indian Museum, which has a children's section, and the Science City, which offers interactive exhibits and a space theatre. Kolkata is also home to numerous parks and recreational areas, including the famous Maidan, a vast urban park that houses numerous playgrounds, sports fields, and the Kolkata Zoo. The city also offers several athletic facilities that welcome families. The South Kolkata Sports & Cultural Association provides a range of sports facilities, including a swimming pool and gym. Additionally, there are several sports clubs that cater to kids, such as the Kolkata Kids Club, which offers various sports programs. With its rich culture, diverse recreational opportunities, and welcoming community, Kolkata is a great place for international families to live.

Jaipur

Jaipur, known as the Pink City, is a great place for international families to reside. The city is rich in culture and history, offering a variety of activities for children. The Albert Hall Museum, for instance, has a children's section with interactive exhibits that make learning fun. The Jawahar Kala Kendra is another cultural hub that organizes workshops and events for children. Jaipur is also home to several parks and recreational areas, such as the Central Park, which is perfect for picnics and outdoor games, and the Jawahar Circle Garden, known for its beautiful fountains and jogging tracks. For families interested in sports, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium has a swimming pool and gym facilities that are family-friendly. There are also several sports clubs that cater to kids, like the Jaipur Sports Academy, which offers various sports programs. With its vibrant culture, numerous recreational facilities, and welcoming community, Jaipur is an ideal place for international families to live.