13 Best Places to Live in India

India, located in South Asia, is one of the fastest-growing countries in the modern era and has the second-largest population in the world. With its ever-expanding economy, low cost of living and vibrant culture India might be the ideal location for you.

We’ll take a look at some of the best cities in India to move to for work opportunities, food lovers, families and more.

Let’s start with an overview of the best places to live in India.

Sections

Best Places To Live In India

City	State	Reason
Bengaluru	Karnataka	Best for work
Kolkata	West Bengal	Best for affordability
Bengaluru, Malleswaram	Karnataka	Best for families
Mumbai	Maharashtra	Best for immigrants
Chandigarh	Punjab and Haryana	Best for retirement
Delhi	Haryana and Uttar Pradesh	Best for young adults
Pune	Maharashtra	Best for students
Delhi and Baga	Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and Goa	Best for food and nightlife
Chennai	Tamil Nadu	Best for singles
Delhi	Haryana and Uttar Pradesh	Best for the LGBT+ community
Belgaum	Karnataka	Best for weather
Panjim	Goa	Best for beaches
Manali	Himachal Pradesh	Best for mountains

Best Places To Live In India for Work

It’s important to note that you must obtain an employment visa and a work permit to work in India. This should be one of your top priorities before moving to the country.

India has a range of cities that are perfect for those dedicated to their career, but one of the stand-out choices is the city of Bengaluru (also known as Bangalore). It is the capital of India’s southern Karnataka state and is known for being the hub of the high-tech industry.

The main industries of Bengaluru are telecommunications, IT, electronics, pharmaceuticals and a whole host more. It is also widely known as a start-up city, with hundreds of tech start-ups blossoming into successful businesses.

Skilled and specific talent is especially well-regarded in Bengaluru and while most jobs for expats are through inter-company transfers, there is still a market for foreign talent in India. Those hoping for jobs in hospitality or retail may struggle to find work as these roles are more likely to go to Indian nationals.

Other cities in India that are particularly good for IT and tech-based employees are Hyderabad and Indore with both cities fostering many opportunities for those looking to develop in these sectors.

Cheapest Places To Live In India

One of the key draws of India is the affordable cost of living, though some of the bigger cities do come with expensive living costs, particularly when it comes to accommodation and utilities.

Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is one of the most affordable cities in India. It is the capital of India’s West Bengal state and held the title of the capital of British India for over a century; it is also well known for being founded as an East India Company trading post.

Kolkata is very budget-friendly in comparison to some of the other cities in India such as Mumbai. Accommodation costs are budget-friendly and you’ll find that there are a range of options from flats to houses for both renters and buyers.

South Kolkata is more expensive than the North, but the North is a lot more crowded and there is a tendency for traffic to build up here due to the large population. Considering transport, Kolkata has a very good infrastructure in place with buses and trains and well-developed roads.

Nagpur is another good option for movers hoping to stick to a lower budget – the city has affordable accommodation and is well connected with international airports.

Best Places To Live In India for Families

While there are many great options for families moving to India, Bengaluru is likely the best. There are lots of factors you’ll want to take into account when moving with a family: what is the education system like? Is the city safe? How easy is it to travel around?

Bengaluru ticks the boxes for all these questions and more. The city is very education orientated with lots of schooling options such as The International School Bangalore, Indus International School Bangalore and The Valley School Bangalore.

Bengaluru is also known for having plenty of parks and natural areas, as well as great shopping and entertainment districts. Rent prices in the city can vary depending on specifications, but it is not the most expensive city in India.

One of the oldest residential areas of the city, nestled right at its heart, is Malleswaram which is a perfect location choice for families looking to move to India.

Pune is another great choice for families looking to move to India; this quaint city is education-focused and packed full of exciting opportunities for children and adults.

Best Places To Live In India for Immigrants

Relocating to a new country is always going to have its challenges and moving to India might be your first time facing relentless heat, air pollution and high traffic.

Despite this, moving to India offers immigrants a chance to engage with an entirely new culture and way of life. For many immigrants, Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay) is the perfect city to settle in.

Located on the west coast, Mumbai has a densely packed population. It is known as the financial and entertainment hub of India and as such, it has a huge international community who often deem the city to be one of the safest and very welcoming to immigrants.

Amenities in Mumbai are good; there’s easy access to accommodation, medical facilities, public transport and even schooling for those moving with families. The most commonly spoken languages in Mumbai are Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, and English.

Another wonderful choice for immigrants is New Dehli, India’s capital, which is a bustling metropolitan city full of work opportunities and tourist attractions.

Best Places To Live In India for Retirement

Frequently named as one of the best cities to retire in, Chandigarh is a planned city designed by Swiss-French modernist architect, Le Corbusier. Chandigarh is the capital of both Punjab and Haryana and is a union territory under the control of the Central Government.

Chandigarh is a great option for retirees as the city is slower-paced than New Dehli or Mumbai but is still very well connected by air, rail and road. It has a pleasant and consistent climate and is known to be one of the safer cities in India with a thriving senior population.

As a planned city, it is very easy to navigate and the roads are wide and clean, with lots of attractive green spaces in every sector of the city. It also has great medical facilities such as Fortis and Ivy Hospital.

Those hoping for a sea view should consider the city of Kochi, located on the Arabian Sea’s coast. The city is quiet and renowned for elegant architecture, perfect for those who want to stroll by the water and take in the view.

Best Places To Live In India for Young Adults

Any young adult hoping to move to India should take the country’s capital, Delhi into consideration. Based in the north of India, Delhi is a huge metropolitan city.

Not only is the city rife with job opportunities but it is home to an amalgamation of cultures and communities. The city is packed full of outstanding art, architecture and history.

Delhi also has many fun and eccentric bars, clubs and bazaars meaning you’re sure to find local spots that cater to your tastes. There are several neighbourhoods in Dehli which are favoured by expats, such as Chanakyapuri, Sundar Nagar and Satya Niketan, though these are by no means the only options available.

As more than half of India’s population is under 25 years old, the capital city is the perfect place for young adults to explore the surrounding attractions, get stuck in at work and develop a lifestyle that they love.

Pune and Mumbai are also choice options for young adults, with both cities full of exciting opportunities and schooling and work options.

Best Places To Live In India for Students

Coined as ‘the Oxford of the East’, Pune is one of the best cities in India for students, attracting more global students than anywhere else in India. Pune is located in the west Indian state of Maharashtra and holds high regard for art, education and culture.

There is a wide range of educational opportunities in Pune, not just in the University of Pune (now referred to as Savitribai Phule Pune University), but in schools throughout the city. From engineering to theatre, students are spoilt for choice.

The city has an undoubtedly academic vibe; though it has welcomed modernity with open arms, there is still a sense of the traditional in Pune, with local art and culture highly respected.

The accommodation in Pune (and its affordability) is another main draw. There are ample amenities in Pune such as libraries, shopping malls and museums.

Some key schools in Pune are Fergusson College, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Symbiosis International University and the Indian Institute for Science Education and Research.

Other good cities in India for students are Kanpur and Mumbai, which are both home to student populations and have good facilities for those in higher education.

Best Places To Live In India for Food and Nightlife

Delhi is known to be India’s food capital (as well as its actual capital!) and the city is packed with street food that will blow the mind of even the most seasoned foodie.

Lajpat Naga is one of the best districts in Delhi for food. From some of the best Punjabi snacks to sandwiches to dumplings, this district is ideal for anyone hoping for a taste of some of India’s finest cuisine.

Undoubtedly one of the best cities in India for nightlife is the coastal town of Baga located in the state of Goa. Baga is known for its outstanding beach parties and thumping nightlife.

Be prepared for its global popularity as the beaches in Goa, Baga included, are known to remain busy during the day and night as people travel here to drink and unwind.

Tito’s Lane is known for seafront cafes and clubs which offer a whole range of different music, food and drink – whatever type of night you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find at Baga Beach.

Best Places To Live In India for Singles

All of the bigger cities in India are great opportunities for single people to make friends, new connections, and potentially find love. Chennai is one of the best cities for single people hoping to move to India.

Chennai is based on the Bay of Bengal in eastern India and is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu. It’s got a strong nightlife with many bars and clubs for singles to choose from.

There are also many lovely restaurants and eateries in the city, as well as romantic tourist attractions such as taking a long walk across Marina Beach or heading to the serene Theosophical Society’s Headquarters and marvelling at all the beautiful green spaces.

Kolkata is another great city for singles, as many adults have flocked to the city due to its affordability and good facilities, and the huge size of the city means that the single population is very big.

Best Places To Live In India for the LGBT+ Community

The government in India remains opposed to same-sex marriage, but same-sex relations were decriminalised in 2018, and the transgender community has been recognised as a third gender since 2014.

All forms of public display are discouraged in India, though it is common to see Indian men sharing close relationships – this should not be mistaken as open homosexuality when it is a simple cultural difference.

There is no specific queer scene or gay village in Delhi but there as long as some research is undertaken beforehand, it is easy to find the numerous events and LGBT+-friendly bars and clubs in the city.

Delhi is one of the best choices for members of the LGBT+ community. It has gay-only spaces, including cafes and galleries, and there is a large and consistent movement by the student population to include LGBT+ identities within the mainstream culture.

Bengaluru is another fantastic choice for queer people; the city has numerous Pride parades throughout the year as well as a Gender Bender festival.

Best Places To Live In India for the Weather

The weather in India can be challenging, particularly for those who are used to temperate or cooler conditions. One city that is consistently noted for good weather is Belgaum (or Belagavi), which is located in southwest India.

Belgaum is known to have very pleasant summers and a consistent monsoon season which lasts from July to September. It’s also said that the winters in Belgaum are some of the best in India.

Mumbai and Bengaluru are also noted for their enjoyable summers, whereas Delhi and Kolkata suffer from incredibly hot seasons as well as thick air pollution.

Best Places To Live In India Near Beaches

The state most well-known for its stunning beaches is Goa. Panjim is the capital city and the Miramar Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Goa, frequently visited by tourists and relatives alike.

Some of the best beaches to visit in Panjim are Miramar Beach, Dias Beach and Dona Paula Beach. Beaches aren’t the only attractive aspect of Panjim, the cobblestone streets are lined with colourful villas left over from the Portuguese colonial era.

As well as providing easy access to some of the best beaches in India, Panjim is well-versed in entertainment. Floating casinos and restaurants are famous in the city and provide residents with evenings full of fun.

Those interested in Indian history will be more than satisfied with what Panjim has to offer.

Best Places To Live In India Near Mountains

Manali is one of the best mountain resort towns in India and is located in northern Himachal Pradesh state. Manali is great for those who love the outdoors, whether it be hiking, rafting, or mountaineering.

The beauty of Manali has made it a very popular tourist destination and honeymoon location. Rohtang Pass is a mountain pass on the eastern side of the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas and is a close attraction for those who want an up-close-and-personal look at the mountains.

Another fantastic choice is the town of Shimla was is the capital of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, in the Himalayan foothills. Shimla is known for its outdoor sports and vibrant shopping markets.