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More important: about the living costs here. One of my fellow Indians mentioned that one can live comfortably on $300 a month. This is not very realistic.
India is a vast country and it depends which part of India you want to live in. There's a lot of diversity. In some villages of India, people survive on 50 cents a day and you could buy an acre of land for maybe $200. On the other hand in the most expensive part of Mumbai, real estate costs $800 per square foot. So, a two room apartment could cost $400,000-$600,000.
The median cost of living in Mumbai, especially in the suburbs I would put at something like $1000 for a good standard of living.
That is the net income you would need. So the gross would be something like $1300 a month.
This would cover the rent for a two room apartment ($300), cell phone usage ($25), internet usage ($25), food ($120), occasional clothing ($150), electricity ($100), water, a small car and it's loan repayment ($100), medical insurance($10), and other living expenses($170). If you're a smoker or you drink regularly or go clubbing, add those expenses too.
Westerners are used to a certain standard of living and the living standard here that $300 a month can buy you, just won't work. It's really hot here in the summer and Air conditioners would be a must. A car would be necessary too unless you are willing to stand in bus queues and travel by jam packed trains. People in Mumbai actually sit *over* the trains and travel due to lack of space inside and this regularly causes deaths. It's a tough life.
Besides these prices are for locals here. Americans and Europeans invariably end up paying more atleast till they wisen up about local rates. Labor is cheap but you won't get them at the rate we do.
Inflation here is considerable. The official figure of 6 % is just BS. Fuel prices are hiked every other month, sometimes twice in the same month. VAT (value added tax) , which has been introduced recently also sent prices up considerably despite claims to the contrary.
On the other hand, the infrastructure is improving every year and life today is much better than it was five or ten years ago. The economy is doing well and new technologies have open up avenues of income that didn't exist earlier. This is only for a certain section of society though. There is a large part of our urban society that still struggles to survive. Rural India is every worse off with many areas without/ without adequate water, electricity and phones.
I've been travelling to India for 27 years since we have a factory in the south near Chennai (Madras). I have spent many happy weeks and months there working and socialising.
The transport infrastructure around some cities is appalling and journeys that used to take 30 mins regularly take in excess of an hour or even more.
Be prepared for strikes which seem to appear from nowhere...we've been hit by 3/4 port strikes this year which really hits imports and exports.
Quality accommodation is expensive and if you have a clean street fetish, well, don't even consider it as an option...it ain't Switzerland!
On the plus side the people and food are wonderful, the culture amazing and an overall wonderful experience. I regard India as my second home and all the people I work with I consider as my best friends. I have met many Europeans, not so many Americans, who have moved to India to work and have stayed many, many years since they have enjoyed it so much.
Go with an open mind and you will enjoy it, go expecting a western lifestyle to be transported sideways and you will be disappointed.
I work in india 3 or 4 times a year. Sometimes in Gujarat in the north and sometimes down near Chennai.
I work in the Glass industry as a SCADA programmer.
I love India for its culture, food and generally laid back and friendly people. Like you say, I think you do need somewhat of a strong stomach to get along with some of the sights and smells.
Otherwise india is a fantastic place. But it is always good to get home.
Thanks Vik_c I think you have summed up India for westerners.
Ska
