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11. Moving to Delhi

Delhi at a Glance

Moving to Delhi

Like most cities on the subcontinent, India’s capital is full of famous sights.

Like most cities on the subcontinent, India’s capital is full of contrasts, and urban bustle, which – if you’re not used to this kind of sensual overload – may seem overwhelming at first. Foreigners moving to Delhi often remark on the exceptional diversity and sheer variety of life they encounter there.

Moving to Delhi: General Information

In the early 20^th century, the British administration in India decided that the capital of what was then called the British Indian Empire should move to Delhi. Beginning in 1911, a new town, New Delhi, was built south of the old town, to host all government and administrative offices. Following Indian independence in 1947, New Delhi was declared the capital of India and remained the seat of central government.

With its 300,000 residents, New Delhi forms part of Delhi, the second largest metropolis in India after Mumbai. It has a high expat population, not least thanks to the presence of so many foreign embassies and international organizations. Expats moving to Delhi should expect higher costs of living than anywhere else in India.

Move to Delhi: Climate

Foreigners moving to Delhi should be prepared for a humid subtropical climate influenced by the monsoon. Effectively, this means that a move to Delhi will bring you long hot summers and cold but dry winters. Summer, with temperatures up to 40 °C, lasts from April to October and includes the monsoon period during July and August. During the short winter, temperatures can drop down to 7 °C.

Expats moving to Delhi - -- if they are not used to this sort of climate – may find it hard to adjust at first. The excessive heat during the first part of the summer and the high humidity during the monsoon period are definitely a force to be reckoned with when moving to Delhi. There is not much you can do, except be sensible, avoid staying in the sun a lot and drink more than you would at home. It’s not uncommon to feel ill for a couple of days when you first move to Delhi.

Moving to Delhi: Travel Health

As for your health: When moving to Delhi, the same rules apply as for most places with a subtropical climate. To be on the safe side, you should check that all your standard vaccinations are up-to-date well in advance of your move to Delhi. To find out what additional vaccinations might be recommended for a move to Delhi, consult your doctor or a travel health clinic before moving to Delhi. Your doctor’s advice will be based on the length and nature of your stay in Delhi, e.g. whether you will be spending time in the countryside or just the city, etc.

Expats moving to Delhi should be aware of the following health risks, which are more or less common throughout India: Vector-borne diseases such as dengue fever, chikungunya, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, as well as cholera, typhoid fever, rabies and hepatitis A and B. You can keep these risks at a minimum by taking sensible precautions against mosquito bites and paying particular attention to food and body hygiene.

Move to Delhi: Safety Advice

No travel warnings are currently in place for expatriates moving to Delhi. However, you should always consult the website of your country’s foreign office for any updates on the security situation before moving to Delhi. There is a high threat of terrorism throughout India, and explosions in Mumbai in July 2011 have caused a heightened state of alert in many major Indian cities.

Expats moving to Delhi should be aware of the potential threat but not let it govern their lives. Exercise caution when visiting public places or events which attract large crowds, and enquire about the possibility of registering with your embassy in Delhi, just in cast that any complications should arise after moving to Delhi.