New Delhi: A rough guide

New Delhi is the capital of India and the destination of 11 per cent of expatriate assignees. It has a population of 12.8 million and the headquarters of all government ministries and foreign embassies are located here. Geographically, New Delhi is in the north of India, and the city is spacious and open, but easy to get around. The main languages spoken are Hindi, English, Punjabi and Urdu. English is widely spoken, but knowing a little Hindi goes a long way.

Delhi’s can experience quite extreme weather. During the summer months (May, June and July), temperatures can hit 48°c. Hot days are often accompanied by dust storms. Humidity is generally low – except in July, August and September’s monsoon season. The dry heat means most activities take place indoors. In winter, the temperature can drop to 6-12°c. Most buildings do not have central heating.

Cost of living:

Although prices will vary, especially for imported goods, for premium, Indian goods, expect to pay around:

Baked beans, one can: $1.70

Bread, white sliced loaf: $0.57

Cheese, one kilo cheddar: $28.34

Chicken, one medium roasting: $2.27

Eggs, one dozen: $1.36

Milk, one litre: $0.73

Rice, one kilo: $1.56

Six-pack of Kingfisher beer: $13.60

Big Mac: $1.34

Leisure:

Expatriate club membership, annual (ie swimming pool, steam, suana at a 5-star hotel): $1,700.29

Cinema ticket: $4.53

Paperback book: $6.80

Round of golf (guest at a New Delhi club): $13.60

Transport costs:

Litre of petrol: $0.99

Taxi fare per KM: $0.34

Bus fare to and from airport: $1.13

Taxi to and from airport: $9.07

Family life:

Babysitter, per hour: $4.53

Housekeeper, cleaner, per month: $113.35

Full-time nanny/maid, per month: $113.35

School fees, international school or equivalent, annual fees excluding application, registration or other costs: $7,299.93

Housing:

CEO/diplomats: Preferred areas of West End, Amrita Shergill Marg, Aurangzeb Road, Golf Links, Jor Baug, Sundar Nagar, Shanti Niketan, Vasant Vihar: Rental for 3+bedrooms and 400-1,200 square yards approximately Rs250,000-450,000

Directors, senior managers: Preferred areas of Vasant Vihar, Defence Colony, Pansheel Park, May Fair, Anand Niketan, Shanti Niketan: Rental for 2+ bedrooms and 300-1,000 square yards approximately Rs100,000-250,000

Middle level managers: Preferred areas of Greater Kailash 1 & 2, Safdarjang Enclave, Friends Colony, Niti Baug, Geetanjali Enclave, Maharani Baug, Nizamuddin east: Rental for 2+ bedrooms and 200-500 square yards approximately Rs40,000-150,000

Useful links

www.delhiindia.com

www.newdelhibest.com

www.poonabest.com

Information reproduced with the kind permission of Crown Relocations. For information, please see www.relocatingtoindia.com.

© 2007 of Re:locate magazine, published by Profile Locations, Spray Hill, Hastings Road, Lamberhurst, Kent TN3 8JB. All rights reserved. This publication (or any part thereof) may not be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of Profile Locations. Profile Locations accepts no liability for the accuracy of the contents or any opinions expressed herein.