Expat Q&A: American Mom Asks Questions About TISB and Safety in Bangalore

Introduction: Lalitha is of Indian origin but became an American citizen. She's planning to move to Bangalore with her daughters. She has got admission for her daughters in TISB school,
(The International school Bangalore).

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Q: 1) Is it easy to find a safe comfortable home/apartment close to TISB school? (if possible, please list the recommended areas).

A: The homes near the school in Palm Meadows are mostly 3 and 4 bedroom villas and are quite expensive. But there are probably apartments in the town/area of whitefield which is kind of a suburb of Bangalore.

Q: 2) Is commuting to school during the traffic hours possible?

A: If you live close to the school (where most of the expats live) either in Whitefield or in Palm Meadows (a gated community in Whitefield), then it's about a 30 minute commute to the school. There is no traffic, but it's a dirt road and rutted so takes a while.

Q: 3) Are there good children's hospitals, clinics, close to the homes? (The most important requisite: the doctors, hospitals, 24 hr emergency facility, close to the apartment I may choose to live in).

A: There are good hospitals all around Bangalore (Manipal Hosptial is the best) and the doctors are good and many times will make house calls. Good medical care is not that expensive. There is a clinic in Whitefield with a great pediatrician that I and most of my friends go to.

Q: 4) Is it safe to be alone in Bangalore with 2 daughters?

A: Bangalore is a relatively safe place (especially compared to Detroit I think). I think it would be safe to live here but I am sorry you and your children will be away from your husband and their father. I would think that would be more of an issue than the phystical safety of the children.

Q: 5) How could I find maids, cook and drivers etc., Is it easy to find them?

A: The best way to find maids, cooks and drivers is to join the Overseas Women's Club. They have notebooks of recommendations for help.

Q: 6) Are there any grocery stores, shopping mall easily accessible?

A: There are many great grocery stores and shopping malls in Bangalore. You
can find most anything you need.

Q: 7) Are the roads OK to drive around. Do I need to be worried about the pollution?

A: The drivers are crazy on the roads, but, with a driver, it shouldn't be too bad. Walking around downtown my eyes burn a bit after a while from the exhaust fumes of the autoricks. If you live outside of town in Whitefield you won't really notice it. I know they are building many apartments in Whitefield but I don't know when they'll be finished. I would contact Sonu Aurora for her wonderful relocation services (I'm not sure what her charges are). (sonu@ikan.com).