What should I pack when moving to India?
We asked people living in India to list three things they wish they had brought and three they wish they had left behind. They responded...
"Three things I wish I had brought: a good pair of winter slippers, because houses here are uninsulated, so the winters can be cooler inside than out; another set of good kitchen knives, since ones we have found here are not of very good quality; another pair of indestructible sandals from some of the big name brands, since here you can get cheap sandals custom-made...but they also require resoling, and have no arch support! Thee things I wish I had left at home: electric blanket, because even despite a transformer & converter, it still blew and now the fancy function doesn't work; our queen-size fitted sheets that we were told to bring, because you can't get fitted sheets here--only to find out that 'queen size' is really closer to king, it being two single beds pushed together; my winter coats, because you can manage just fine with a sweater and t-shirt, silk underwear and normal clothes, and so on - winter coats are a waste of space and it's not cold enough," explained one expat living in Mussoorie, India.
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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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"Brought: 1. steak/more food 2. Better converters 3. boots Left: 1. Jacket 2. Sonicare toothbrush (doesn't work here with the brown electricity) 3. skirts," said another expat in Ahmedabad, India, India.
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Other Questions:
- What do I need to know before retiring in India?
- How do I meet people in India?
- What is life like in India?
- Is there a lot of crime in India?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in India accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in India like?
- Is the cost of living in India high?
- What advice do you have for expats having a baby in India?
- What are healthcare services like in India?
- Is the cost of living in India high?
- What type of recreational facilities are in India?
- What is the weather like in India?
- Are there good restaurants in India?
- Where will I buy groceries and do other shopping in India?
- What are the visa & residency requirements in India?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in India?
- What do I need to know when buying property in India?
- Are foreigners allowed to own property in India?
- What appliances are typically included in a rental?
What should I pack when moving to India?
If you live in India, newcomers to India would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.