“Are you safe in India?”

If you come to India often, you probably get this question a lot.

My impulse answer is usually, “Yes, things are unbelievably safe here.” I can send my wife and kids on a train, knowing the other passengers (complete strangers up to that moment) will take good care of them. My wife can go out on her own in the evening without much worry. In Mumbai, Reader’s Digest recently left 12 wallets with about Rs. 3,000 each on the streets to see how many would be returned. Our Mumbaikars returned 9 of them (2^nd most in the word).

Yet, there are still authentic reports of petty crime, rape, corruption, and mob violence that are at least enough to make relatives worry. (This article discusses crimes done by a human intending to harm you. If you are looking for staying healthy in India, see the link.)

Many factors affect your safety in India. Men have very few concerns, whereas women need to be more cautious. The region of India you live in can make a big difference. For example, I would not be as comfortable with my wife going out on her own in Delhi as opposed to Chennai. Travelling with children actually endears you more and makes you less likely to be the target of a serious crime. [Read more…]

Taxes for expats in any foreign country are a serious matter. This article is the result of thorough research, but you should consult a specialist to determine your best course of action.

Do I have to pay taxes in India?

If you made more than Rs. 2,50,000 in a single financial year from any Indian source, OR if you were a resident of India during a financial year, then you must file a tax return.

The Indian financial year is from April 1^st – March 31^st.

How do I determine my residency in India?

There are three classifications of residency for non-citizens or expatriates. They have strange names, so we will call them Peacock, Tiger, and Elephant for now. Answer the following questions to determine what you are. The answers to these questions should be supported by your passport. [Read more…]

Some things about living and working in India are ridiculously hard. But other things are ridiculously amazing.

I took the last week to write down all the ‘luxuries’ I experience – great things about living in India that I am very thankful for. My list could be a lot longer, but it would be great if you could add your own to this list!

• We had a friend stay with us for a few days and her mother sent her with a massive box of murukkus.
• We took a five-minute drive to the beach to have a picnic, and the kids had a blast playing near the waves.
• We rode in our small car with four adults and five children and no car seats.
• They sell Magnums right on the beach, as they will in heaven.
• I have six potential methods of transportation to get to my office that is 10 minutes away (walk, auto, taxi, self-drive, share auto, bus).
• While some rental and real estate prices are very high, we live in a fantastic place for much less that I would pay in the US.
• We have a great maid/cook who comes to sweep, mop, wash the dishes, and make food three times a week.
• Our maid’s son needed to see a doctor and my wife sent out a message on a Whatsapp group to ask for help from others on the floor. Within ten minutes, one of our neighbors was there, explaining to her how to get to a good doctor she knows in her area.
• I went with my kids to a shop to get a present for a kid’s birthday party. They gift-wrapped it at no extra charge while my kids played with their toys.
• At the birthday party, a Muslim friend asked, “Is Sarah a Christian name or a Jewish name?” We had a friendly discussion rooted in religion that was not awkward or had any tension.
• My wife called the grocery store while we were driving and arranged a home delivery of some items (at no extra charge). We left money with our trustworthy maid who paid for the items when they were delivered.
• The owner of the same local grocery store led my four-year-old son around his store as he read out his grocery list to the owner.
• Our flat arranged a dandiya dance one evening and we all had a really great time.
• I went for a long run with friends from our flat followed by some fresh tender coconut water (see photo above).
• Every Saturday, my family goes to Sangeetha, a nice south Indian restaurant where the sambar and chutney taste different every time. We order three to four rounds of food and it is delivered hot to our table within 10 minutes.
• I can put all of my shirts in a bag, give it to a lady as I drive out of my apartment, and she will return it with all the shirts nicely ironed and folded. All for about US$0.06 a shirt.

[Read more…]

One of my favorite quotes from Patrick De Ridder’s podcast episode was about street food:

“Maybe you are not sure about the quality of the food. Have it. Get violently sick. Get better.”

There are two kinds of approaches to staying healthy in India. One is Patrick’s caution-to-the-wind perspective. The other is the person who brings their own hand sanitizer to a five-star hotel and insists on seeing the seal being broken on their mineral water before drinking it.

If you are more of the second type, this article isn’t for you. Nothing personal against these people, but it’s just not something you can keep up if you are going to enjoy being in India for a long time.

This is the ‘minimalist’ guide to staying healthy in India, for those who prefer to live a little dangerously, but don’t want to be stupid about it. If you follow this advice, you will thoroughly enjoy your experience, but be warned that most of us have had a stay or two in the hospital as well.

Cover Your Bases

Before you come, check out the vaccination guide and get acquainted with hospitals in India. These are things you don’t want to find out about too late. If you take prescription medicine, bring a good supply of what you need, but basically every medication can be bought here as well (and for much cheaper).

Food-born Illnesses

Rule #1 [Read more…]