India - British Expat Forum

Hi Kay (and everyone else!),
I was thrilled to find your forum as we've had some difficulty finding info about expats living in Delhi. I've been reading the questions and answers, and you've already helped a lot! We're arriving Tuesday night (June 29 2004) from our current posting in Hong Kong, and we'll be there for a week. We've intentionally extended our stay so that we can really get a sense of the place and the standard of living.

We're most curious about the social life in Delhi. We've been expats for 8-10 years in a number of emerging markets (Russia, Vietnam, etc), and we've found that our social life tends to "make or break" the experience. My husband is a big rugby fan (spectator and player). Are there any rugby clubs? And are there pubs/bars/clubs where expats go to watch sports? For that matter, are the big sporting events broadcast (can you get satellite tv)?

Although there are only two of us at the moment, we're interested in living in a house (vs apartment) with a garden. Are there any websites that show available housing? We'd love to be somewhat informed before arriving. You mentioned Vasant Vihar as a good location. Any sites you can recommend?

Also, where is the best place to go to meet up with a few expats in the evenings? We won't know anyone in the city, and we'd love to have a chat with someone who lives there.

Thanks in advance for your help! Again, I'm very impressed with your forum!

Cheers,
Christy (and Stephen)

Hi Christy

Thanks for your kind words about our forum.

There's a link to an accommodation site in here somewhere, which I found for someone else. Perhaps using the forum search facility will help to find it?

I would be happy to show you around and also invite you for a beer or two. How about Wednesday? (We're off to Thailand on Thursday.)

I agree about your social life making or breaking a posting. Are you British? If so, you will probably be eligible to join our Club. We can chat about it when you get here.

Where will you be staying?

Kay 8)

Hi again Kay,

Thanks for responding so quickly. I feel lucky to have caught you near the computer!

We'd be thrilled to meet up for a beer with you (and your husband?). Wednesday would be great, if you're not too busy planning for your trip to Thailand. We'll be staying at the Maurya Sheraton for the week, but we can make a plan to meet you wherever is convenient. My husband is waiting to confirm a meeting with the relocation agent on Wednesday or Thursday, so I'll get back to you about that.

I'm actually American, and my husband is Irish. I guess we don't qualify for the British Club, but it would still be nice to chat with you about your social life in Delhi.

Thanks again-- and I'm really looking forward to meeting you!
Christy

Hi Christy

The Sheraton is only 5-10 minutes drive from us, so that's no problem.

You may be eligible for the American Club (ACSA) rather than ours. The Irish don't have one, although Irish passport-holders are invited to many social occasions at the Embassy. (David, my husband, also has an Irish passport and we are often invited. The Irish Ambassador is one of the nicest people you could meet - what a genuinely lovely man.)

ACSA has loads of facilities so your husband will be able to get his fill of sporting events.

Funnily enough, most of the people I've already shown round have been American, plus a Finnish couple. All are welcome. However, many of the people aren't actually going to live in New Delhi but in Gurgaon which is a different kettle of fish entirely.

See you the day after tomorrow. I'll PM you with my phone number.

Kay

Thanks Kay! We'll give you a call Wednesday morning, and we'll make a plan.

BTW, as I'm new to this, I'm assuming that "PM" means that you'll send it to my e-mail address. I'll be looking for it there.

See you then!
Christy

Hi again Christy

PM means Private Message via this forum - you'll see a PM button, along with others, at the bottom of postings. I don't like using the PM function very much as I get far more messages than I can cope with and people often use it to get my personal attention when their questions would be more appropriate on the forum.

I see that you've included your email address so I'll email you instead and add your email address to my whitelist (I have fairly tough spam filters).

OK, I'm going to email you now.

Kay