A Canadian man has shared his experience of relocating permanently to Bengaluru, India, with his wife, detailing how his first five months in the country have been both frustrating and rewarding. Despite the challenges, he believes the move was the right decision.
Banking Woes and Payment Struggles
Five months after arriving, the man has not been able to open a bank account. He recounted numerous visits to the bank, where he faced hurdles due to his foreign status. Initially, a bank employee told him that accounts are not opened for foreigners, which he later discovered was untrue. After registering with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), which involved significant back-and-forth with the government portal and getting his parents to apostille his marriage certificate in Canada, he returned to the bank only to be told he needed an Aadhaar card and a Permanent Account Number (PAN). However, obtaining an Aadhaar card requires 182 days of residence in the country.
As a result, he remains unable to pay for things independently. International cards are not widely accepted outside of delivery apps, and cash transactions often fail due to a lack of change. Consequently, his wife covers all expenses when they are out together.
Dissatisfaction with Products and Social Challenges
The Canadian man expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of products available in India, citing frequent instances of counterfeit goods and misleading claims. He also faces a regular language barrier and has not made any close friends in India. However, he and his wife, who both left their jobs before moving, have started organizing community activities such as walks in Cubbon Park and rock climbing groups.
Positive Aspects of the Move
Despite these setbacks, the man emphasized that moving to India was the right call. The cost of living is significantly lower than in Toronto, providing a longer financial runway. He appreciates Bengaluru's startup energy, noting that nearly everyone he meets is building something. He wrote, 'Even with all of this, I still think we made the right call. Cost of living is way lower than in Toronto, so our runway is way longer here. Having a maid frees up a lot of time. South Indian food is incredible. Real ingredients and so cheap. I could eat ghee pudi masala dosa every day. I've lost 14lbs since I got here. And nearly everyone I've met here is building something. So many founders. That's the energy I wanted to be around.'
He added that after five months, he is finally settling into a good rhythm, working on projects that excite him, and enjoying the flexibility of no commute, no committee approval, and no panic attacks like those he experienced at his banking job. He can go to the gym mid-day, take afternoon offs, and work late as he pleases. He concluded, 'The bad stuff is mostly one-off annoyances. The good stuff is doing what I want every day on my own schedule. This is the right place for us right now. Whether it's forever, who knows. Air quality and traffic are real concerns, especially with kids.'
