Life in Gurgaon

Transportation in Gurgaon

India’s road system is notorious for its congestion and heavy traffic, and Gurgaon is no different. Expatriates living in Gurgaon will be able to drive legally using an international driving permit, but unless you are very confident, driving is not recommended.

Instead, many expatriates living in Gurgaon use taxis and rickshaws to get around the city, as they are often cheaper, safer, and faster than driving yourself. During rush hour, commuters will usually share taxis to keep the costs down.

Taxis can be booked in advance, or hailed down from the street. Gurgaon also has a bus network that provides transportation within the city, and has connections to nearby areas; approximately 33,000 people use the bus system every day. There is also a train system, the Rapid Metro, which runs around the city, and intercity trains that run from Gurgaon station.

Healthcare in Gurgaon

Although India does have a public healthcare system that expats living in Gurgaon will have access to, many people choose to use the private system. Whilst it has improved in recent years, the Indian public healthcare system is vastly underfunded and is crippled by long waiting times and outdated facilities.

As Gurgaon is a major city, the public healthcare facilities will be much better than rural areas, but expatriates are still advised to use the private system, for which they will need comprehensive medical insurance. Most doctors in both the public and private systems will speak at least some English, and fluency is very common. The main private healthcare facilities are Neelkanth Hospital, Rockland Hospital, St. Stephen’s Hospital, and Ekta Hospital, all of which would be suitable for expatriates living in Gurgaon.

Education in Gurgaon

One of the driving forces behind India’s rapidly growing economy is its focus on education. However, expatriates living in Gurgaon will find that the public school system, although better than in some areas of the country, leaves a lot to be desired. Therefore many expatriates and foreigners send their children to private international schools, where the standard of teaching is much higher.

As a major expatriate city, Gurgaon has a number of excellent international schools, including Amity International School, Shalom Hills International School, Lotus Valley International School, and Lancers International School, among others. India’s focus on education is reflected in its universities, too, and there are several higher education institutions in Gurgaon, the most notable of which are ITM University, the Ansal Institute of Technology, the Gurgaon Institute of Technology and Management, and the Indian Institute of Learning and Advanced Development.