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...
"When moving to India, it is important to pack both warm and cool weather clothing, appropriate for the different climates of India. For standing up to the heat, make sure to bring light-colored, breathable fabrics like cotton and linen. For the colder months, pack jackets, sweaters, and scarves. A variety of umbrellas and sunglasses are also recommended. Make sure to bring personal items you won't find in India, like any must-have skin-care products, toiletries, and your favorite snacks. Lastly, be sure to pack all necessary supplies for your religion, such as prayer rugs and books," remarked another expat in India.
"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," said a member in Mussoorie, India.

Get Quote
With Cigna Global Health Options, you can create an international health insurance plan that's perfectly tailored for the needs of you and your family. We provide the reassurance of comprehensive core cover, and the flexibility of adding as many extra benefits as you want to ensure you have a plan perfectly suited to your needs.

With Cigna Global Health Options, you can create an international health insurance plan that's perfectly tailored for the needs of you and your family. We provide the reassurance of comprehensive core cover, and the flexibility of adding as many extra benefits as you want to ensure you have a plan perfectly suited to your needs.
Get Quote
Please login to continue reading this article.
Not a member? Join Today (it's free).
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.