Move to New Delhi With a Toddler from Australia
Posted by Quietpopcorn@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 36 comments
My husband has been offered a secure, high level role in New Delhi.
We’re weighing a move from Australia for about a year, it feels like a once off opportunity. But…I’d be leaving my own highly sort after job and putting my career on pause, and I’d be home full time with our toddler.
I’m worried about feeling isolated in a compound and navigating daily safety. We’d have secure housing and a permanent employment.
For anyone who’s done a overseas relocation to New Delhi with a young family, I’d love to hear some honest feedback
Miss_Dark_Splatoon@reddit
Air polution is insane in new delhi, especially with a small child I would reconsider
ImaginaryAd8129@reddit
i’ve known a few families who moved to New Delhi with little kids and it sounds like the security you get in the compounds is pretty solid, which definitely helps with peace of mind. The city itself can feel overwhelming (air quality, traffic, noise) so being in a gated place with other expats might protect you from the chaos but can also feed into that isolation you’re worried about. If you’re someone who needs a good social network and easy outdoor spaces for your toddler, you might find it tricky at first. Plus, leaving a career behind can be rough, but if it’s just for a year, you might find ways to keep some connections going remotely or explore part-time or volunteer options there. Honestly, having permanent employment for your husband and secure housing is a big plus since you’re not scrambling. If you want to bounce between different neighborhoods or want to get a feel for daily life logistics before fully committing, checking out wheredoimoveto.com’s discover feature (pick international option) might help you see how New Delhi stacks up against other expat-friendly spots with kids. Worth a look.
External_Guard3619@reddit
Delhi is Chernobyl Urban slum
Blind_clothed_ghost@reddit
New Delhi would be a horrible place to live especially if you have a kid.
Don't do it
rollingstone1@reddit
April 1st? Oh wait…..
Delhi is an absolute shit hole. No way I’d be making that move.
AcrobaticDisplay4595@reddit
Hi, there. I live in Bangalore as an expat. I’ve been to Delhi once and have zero desire to ever go back let alone live there. The pollution is so bad I consider it uninhabitable, and I was there during a “good” month. The heat in May and June is beyond oppressive. It regularly reaches 48 degrees Celsius now. As a woman I’ve encountered regular staring and uncomfortable situations all around the country, but nothing compared to Delhi/ Agra. As with the rest of India, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the low cost of most goods and services. You’ll likely be able to live in a community with a lot of amenities. Those are the two positives, but imo doesn’t make up for the pollution and misogyny.
thatsamiam@reddit
I was in New Delhi for about 6 weeks about two decades ago.
There is nothing that would ever make go back for any reason. Here is what I remember:
Unbearable air pollution. Constant nausea presumably from inadvertently consuming tap water. I even brushed my teeth with bottled water. Being targeted for begging scams by people using babies. Seeing children in unbearable and extremely dangerous conditions over and over. (For example small children playing on high floors of partially constructed buildings without any outside walls or windows as well as a toddler playing in a pool of used motor oil.) Seeing extreme poverty down to a literal naked man with nothing. Generally speaking, people I met were not friendly to an extreme level. During business transactions I was repeatedly lied to blatently regardless of the absurdity of the lies. I witnessed several horrific traffic accidents. Being driven was terrifying as traffic laws were basically ignored. Packs of dogs roaming the streets, especially at night.. Generally speaking, people not nice to me or each other. Constant reminders of social hierarchy. (For example, the driver who was told to be available 24/7 essentially sleeping in the car from what I could tell.)
Keep in mind that I have traveled to many other countries that also have poverty such as Nepal, Indonesia and Mexico. While there is poverty in those places I did not see what appears to be severe disregard among people for each other as I did in New Delhi. I saw things there that even decades later I cannot unsee.
I urge you not to decide to move there unless you have spent time there to see how things are. Going there with a child is something I would not do under ANY circumstance.
I was literally PAID to be there, with all expenses paid. I had the privilege of living in a top hotel. I had a car and driver available 24/7. I had ability to eat the best food. I left as soon as I could to the point of quitting that job.
I could enjoy nothing knowing that just outside the hotel walls was a seemingly infinite amount of desperation and that I could do nothing except provide temporary respite with donations here and there.
How can you enjoy your meal knowing there are children probably not even 300 meters away who are hungry?
I have been told that in other parts of India things are better especially two decades later. I am reporting what I saw in New Delhi with my own eyes in mid 2000s.
I really hope things are actually better.
Snoo_4928@reddit
I’m Indian and I’d never move to Delhi lol
New-Organization-121@reddit
Have you been to New Delhi before?
I just visited this year, it’s extremely polluted, lacks basic infrastructure such as roads and sidewalks and has poor hygiene standards in stores and restaurants… I’d not even move there on my own, let alone moving there with a kid…
Solid-Mousse7703@reddit
I have been to Delhi on multiple occasions. But since she mentioned her husband is going to come there and she is willing to hold her career for that. So is it not better to let them see by their own eyes what reality is... No matter how much I say, it is not easy to convince a devoted person. So I decided to suggest that they should search in real life by putting their foot in delhi. Delhi has nothing in it. Water is polluted, air is polluted, crime against women is high, I know all that but instead of saying all that to her. I want to let her decide for herself. (Before saying much think a little in which direction someone indicated. That will help you in life)
Solid-Mousse7703@reddit
I will not say anything about your job. But i think you will be fine after relocation. I am an indian. And have a little piece of advice for you. I have seen many small Indian business owners trying to trick new people in the area. So, don't rush on finding a home asap. Scout some areas yourself or if you have some Indian friends then ask them. I will ask around too among my connections in Delhi (only if you want.). I will say frankly Delhi is a little risky and polluted place, but there are some great people too, who will help you without any expectation. Ask help from me if you want. I will try my best. Hope you and your family find a great future.
Accomplished_Pea_819@reddit
OP has mentioned they're already going to be provided with secure housing. Probably in a foreigner compound setting.
Solid-Mousse7703@reddit
I understand that, still I can't trust Delhi. So it would be safe to check it before hand.
oldie349@reddit
Delhi air pollution was so bad I couldn’t wait to leave. I was there a couple of days, and it’s so dirty and noisy. People crapping in the gutters, car and truck horns blaring without pause.
Ok_Cress_56@reddit
Like everybody else in this thread, I must say, New Delhi is absolutely nasty. Dirty, polluted, loud. If you're gonna live there, you will live inside a compound, sequestered from the world. You will be shuttled to work and back.
sread2018@reddit
As an Australian female with a family who has been to New Delhi before.
ABSOLUTELY NOT. Under zero circumstances would I step foot back in New Delhi.
from the pollution, the isolation if youre in a compound, the aggressive touching/SA and staring of men, having to be driven everywhere by "your driver" for your own safety to watching people literally shit in the streets, on top of all of this, youll have no job. I cannot think of a worst place to spend 12 months.
Let your husband go. Stay in Aus.
forreddituse2@reddit
Trailing spouse rarely ends well. No income equals no independence. Besides it will be difficult to bring the child back to Australia if things go wrong (the husband's family may closely guard the child).
Accomplished_Pea_819@reddit
The husband isn't Indian. They're moving to Australia to India together as foreigners.
walk-in_shower-guy@reddit
Completely nuts. New Delhi is a shithole. No amount of money is worth it, plus Indian companies and their work culture sucks.
wolferdoodle@reddit
How much money will he get? Is it life changing or just high?
Gaelenmyr@reddit
Why would you want to go to a country infamous for harassing and raping women
jdv77@reddit
You’re leaving breathing fresh air from Aus for extremely polluted air. No amount of money can make me do this
AmbientPressure00@reddit
Air pollution is one of the things no amount of personal wealth can really remedy.
Kiwiatx@reddit
If for only a year husband goes on his own.
tom-kot@reddit
I was about to suggest that. It's giant change and for such short period. Also, pausing her career could be a slippery slope.
She can use her vacations to visit him, and he can use his vacations to visit her.
lvsxdrm25@reddit
Why would someone move from Australia to India
Interesting_Ad9686@reddit
Don’t.
RidetheSchlange@reddit
You're nuts if you're going to go. Your husband can take the job and if it's for a year you can make it work, especially if you have a "sort after" job in Aus.
I think bringing a kid to New Delhi, of all places, is borderline irresponsible.
lordalgammon@reddit
People shit on the open street.
Watch some vlogger content walking thr streets in India before making such rash decisions.
sha_ma@reddit
Don't do it!!!
pencilbride2B@reddit
Everyone is talking about the pollution but on top of that it’s really unsafe for women. Especially foreigners, you won’t be able to just run down to the shops any time you like. You’ll have to take a taxi and go out with others if you are out at night. Honestly I won’t do it
Adorable_Misfit@reddit
I have personal experience, though I'm British, not Australian, and my kids are school age. I'm in Delhi right now actually. Happy to share some of my thoughts with you if you want to send me a private message.
pinkandpurplepens@reddit
Just as a mom, I’d be wary of going to full time SAHM in a brand new country if you don’t have experience doing that before. When I had kids I thought I would like to be a SAHM but after about 3 months I missed my work. I’d be concerned about you becoming very lonely and unfulfilled with a new setting and leaving the workplace all at once
ariadawn@reddit
This. When we moved, I didn’t work for the first sixth months so I could recover from burnout and help settle my three kids into their new home. But I quickly felt stagnant and was happy to fine a job in my field a few months later that allowed me to work part time. Part time was perfect for my burnout and still having time to support the family
Quietpopcorn@reddit (OP)
Thank you, that is is a very valid point
CircularTautology69@reddit
New Delhi is extremely polluted. It’s not uncommon for children to develop asthma and other breathing problems. I would not move there with a toddler.