If you are thinking of moving from the US to India to try your luck in the thriving economy of India, you are not alone. The fact that India might become the 3rd largest economy in 2030, it is evitable that people are tempted to move to India. But before you start packing your clothes and end up buying a ticket, it is better to know how living in India feels when compared to the American lifestyle.
Living in India is unlike anything like living in the USA. There is 360 degrees of change in every aspect from culture, lifestyle, infrastructure, social values, and facilities. So, if you are moving to India, you should prepare your mind that you are going to a new place and it will be a different experience. In this article, we have come up with five differences between living in India and America to prepare you to land in a new world.
Here are a few differences you should get ready to face:
1. Cost of Living
This is one thing that will make you happy because the cost of living in India is way too economical in India. Everything from food, living and entertainment to education will be budget-friendly for you after enduring the high cost of living in the US. In fact, you can live a very comfortable life within $400-500 dollars, which is not possible in America even at $1000-2000. You can also get house help at a very minimal wage. What else do you want?
2. Strong Sense of Neighborhood
You will witness a strong sense of neighborhood in India where people live in the society like a family. You can expect your doorbell ringing any time of the day and find a woman standing outside with a plate of food (called thali). And after shipping to India from USA, you can get your luggage settled with the help of neighbors who are always ready to help. So, if you are used to living in peace, this might be a problem for you. But you can turn this problem into happiness if you embrace these people and feel at home.
3. Issue of Cleanliness
This is one of the biggest problems that you might face in India. After leaving the clean, carpeted roads of the USA, facing piles of garbage on the corner of the street and carelessly thrown trash on the road might annoy you. This is not the story of small cities; you will face the same problem in economic hub Bombay and the capital Delhi. So, you should be prepared to face the cleanliness issue in India.
4. Extensive Caste System
The US society doesn’t believe in the caste system. But Indian society is established on the caste system, and you will see clear segregation within the society based on the caste. In fact, the caste system also ends up with lower caste people treated like low-level humans with no rights to sit, build relationships, and deal with upper-caste people. So, don’t get shocked when you see someone being treated poorly just because he is ‘Shudar’ (name of a low caste).
5. Cultural Diversity
What makes India so richly colorful is its cultural diversity. People belonging to different parts of India love valuing their culture and celebrating it through different festivals. You will find them dressing and speaking the language of their region no matter where they live. So, if you think you need to learn Hindi to interact with the people of India, you need to think again. Different people speak different languages, so you would need to learn so many languages if English wouldn’t be their second official language. Yes, the good thing is you can comfortably communicate with most people in English.
Conclusion
Moving to India from the USA is a good idea as India is welcoming for expats with a lot of opportunities to grow. But putting aside economic gain, be prepared to see an altogether different world that is not like America. However, once you prepare your mind, things will become easier as an expat, and you won’t have to jump into the unknown with closed eyes. Hope this change turns out to be good for you!
Hi there! I’m Sethu, your go-to guy for all things tech, travel, internet, movies, and business tips. I love sharing insights and stories that make life more interesting. Let’s explore the world together, one article at a time!
