[Living in India ①] Beginner's Settlement Guide for Expats & Business Travelers

Let's look into the basics of living in India

-From Phone Activation to Grocery Shopping, Pharmacies, and Transportation- If you have just arrived in India for your first business trip or are starting a new life as an expat or long-term resident, you will face various questions from the moment you step off the plane: "Where do I get a local SIM card?" "Which bottled water brand is safe, and where should I buy daily necessities?" "Who should I contact if I get an upset stomach or if the air conditioner breaks down?" Because India has significant cultural and administrative differences from Korea, initial adaptation can feel quite challenging. However, it is also a country with a surprisingly advanced digital infrastructure and quick-commerce ecosystem. This guide provides practical, real-world information and local tips to help newly arrived Korean expats and business travelers settle in seamlessly without trial and error. 1. [Top Priority] Immediately Upon Arrival: Local Connectivity & Essential Apps In India, a local phone number is more than just a contact point—it is the essential key to unlocking almost all digital services and administrative procedures. ▶ Why a Local Number is Absolutely Essential India's financial, transport, shopping, and housing services run entirely on OTP (One-Time Password) authentication. Opening a bank account, setting up UPI payments, signing up for quick-commerce or delivery apps, installing home internet, and accessing most public/private services require entering an OTP sent to a local number. Pro Tip (Keep Your OTP Messages): Do not delete OTP SMS messages immediately. Delivery drivers and couriers frequently ask for a verification OTP upon handing over items. Make it a habit to check and respond to SMS quickly. ▶ Telecom Strategy by Length of Stay Short-Term Travelers (Under 1 Month): Activating international roaming with your Korean carrier before departure is strongly recommended. Getting a local SIM requires submitting passport/visa copies and residence proof, with activation taking up to 24–48 hours. Roaming allows you to receive crucial authentication texts for Korean banking and work instantly, saving valuable time. Long-Term Residents & Expats: Get an eSIM or physical SIM card from Airtel or Jio at the airport or an official store in the city right after arrival. These two carriers dominate the market and offer the most reliable coverage and data speeds in major cities. ▶ The Center of Communication: Setting Up WhatsApp Once you have your local number, install WhatsApp and set up your profile immediately. In India, WhatsApp is not just a personal messenger; it is the primary communication tool for both daily life and business. It is used for negotiating rent with landlords, receiving apartment management announcements, chatting with colleagues, confirming delivery locations, and booking hospital appointments. ▶ Essential App Ecosystem In major Indian cities, you can resolve most daily inconveniences using smartphone apps alone. Quick-commerce platforms like Blinkit and Instamart have evolved into massive lifestyle platforms, delivering everything from groceries to smartphone accessories, small appliances, stationery, and pet supplies. Downloading these essential apps early is highly recommended: Rides & Mobility: Uber, Ola Groceries & Quick-Commerce: Blinkit, Zepto, Instamart (Swiggy) Food Delivery: Swiggy, Zomato Digital Payments: PhonePe, Google Pay Home Services & Repairs: Urban Company Medicine Delivery & Healthcare: Apollo Pharmacy, Tata 1mg 2. [Food] Groceries, Bottled Water, Korean Marts, and Shopping Malls Unlike Korea, 24-hour convenience stores on every corner are rare in India. Instead, ultra-fast quick-commerce apps and large shopping malls handle daily grocery shopping and essential supplies. ▶ Tips for Drinking Water Tap water in India is generally not safe for direct consumption. You must drink bottled water or use verified purified water. While some high-end apartments or expat housing complexes have large-scale internal filtration systems, using trusted branded bottled water for drinking and cooking provides peace of mind. Recommended Brands: Bisleri, Kinley, Aquafina, and other major corporate brands are safe choices. ▶ Quick-Commerce & Cold Chain Realities Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart (Swiggy) are in fierce competition, advertising "10-minute delivery" and typically arriving within 10–30 minutes in major cities depending on traffic. Cold Chain Considerations: While cold chain (refrigerated/frozen logistics) infrastructure is advancing rapidly in major hubs like Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, and Mumbai, quality can vary in smaller cities or suburbs . Always check the freshness of produce, meat, and frozen items upon delivery. Membership Tip: If you use delivery apps frequently, consider subscribing to Swiggy One or Blinkit Plus. These memberships offer free delivery above a certain order threshold and priority dispatch, easily offsetting the monthly fee. ▶ Understanding the MRP (Maximum Retail Price) System Every packaged consumer good and food product in India has a government-mandated Maximum Retail Price (MRP) printed on its label. Price Transparency: Foreigners can easily verify the retail price of packaged goods, eliminating the risk of overcharging. (Note: Unpackaged goods such as street food, produce at open markets, and restaurant meals are exempt from MRP.) Discounts: Supermarket chains (e.g., Reliance Smart) and quick-commerce apps frequently sell items below the MRP to stay competitive. ▶ Korean Marts & Budget-Smart Combination Strategies Korean supermarkets with nationwide delivery networks are well-established in major expat hubs (Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai) as well as emerging industrial centers (Pune, Ahmedabad). Price Reality: Due to import tariffs, GST, and logistics costs, imported Korean food items can cost 1.5 to 4 times their price in Korea (e.g., sesame oil, kimchi, frozen Korean meals). Smart Shopping Tip: Locally manufactured products from Korean brands (such as locally produced Shin Ramyun, tofu, Lotte snacks, and ice creams) carry lower tariff burdens and are much more reasonably priced. Buying fresh local ingredients alongside locally produced Korean items—while reserving imported purchases for irreplaceable seasonings—helps manage living expenses effectively. ▶ Utilizing Large Shopping Malls Large commercial malls offer the cleanest, safest environment for both shopping and leisure. Representative Malls by Region: Delhi NCR: Ambience Mall, DLF Mall of India Mumbai: Phoenix Marketcity Bengaluru: Phoenix Mall of Asia, Phoenix Marketcity, Orion Mall Usage: Featuring clean food courts, cinemas, global fashion brands, and large hypermarkets, these malls are ideal for picking up basic household goods comfortably during your initial settlement. 3. [Housing] Home Maintenance & India’s "Daiso & Olive Young" Equivalents Facility issues like air conditioner breakdowns, faucet leaks, and power outages occur more frequently in India than in Korea. Understanding cultural nuances and leveraging service apps will save you significant stress. ▶ Home Repair Apps (Urban Company) & Accommodation Management Landlord Relations: For minor repairs, contacting your apartment's internal facility management office usually yields the quickest fix. For small repair expenses, taking a flexible approach to cost-sharing is often more practical for daily harmony than entering prolonged disputes over ownership. Urban Company: India’s leading fixed-rate home services app. You can book AC cleaning/repair, electrical work, plumbing, appliance servicing, pest control, and home cleaning. Upfront pricing eliminates the hassle of negotiating on-site. For major structural defects, record photo/video evidence, share it with your landlord via WhatsApp, and negotiate a rent deduction. ▶ Recommended Retail Chains The "Daiso" of India (Mr. D.I.Y.): A large home goods chain located in major shopping malls that combines elements of a dollar store, stationery shop, and hardware store. Great for budget-friendly kitchenware, storage, tools, and cleaning supplies. The "Olive Young" of India (Nykaa): India’s largest beauty retailer operating both physical stores and an app. Offers a clean, organized environment to buy global skincare brands, traditional Ayurvedic body care, and beauty accessories. 4. [Clothing] Global Brands, Custom Tailoring, and Eyewear ▶ Global Fashion Outlets Major malls house familiar global SPA brands like ZARA, H&M, and Uniqlo, making it easy to purchase everyday clothing in standard styles. ▶ Custom Tailoring (Tailor) Precautions While custom suits and shirts are popular in India, local tailors often favor traditional styles featuring heavy shoulder padding or broader cuts. Unless you can communicate precise preferences clearly, starting with established off-the-rack brands is safer for initial wardrobe needs. ▶ Eyewear & Lens Services Lenskart: India’s largest optical retail chain. Stores feature modern eye-examination equipment and streamlined processes, earning high satisfaction from expat residents. Standard prescription lenses are available same-day or within 1–2 days at reasonable prices. (Titan Eyeplus is another highly trusted optical chain.) 5. [Health & Pharmacy] Pharmacies, Hospitals, and Hydration Falling ill in a new environment can be distressing. Familiarizing yourself with local medical systems in advance ensures you can handle emergencies calmly. ▶ Pharmacies & Delivery Apps Major chains like Apollo Pharmacy and MedPlus , alongside delivery apps like Tata 1mg , offer easy access to medications. While purchasing over-the-counter medication is accessible, it is best to consult a pharmacist or doctor rather than self-diagnosing. ▶ Managing Upset Stomachs ("Delhi Belly") & Private Hospitals Changes in climate and cuisine frequently trigger digestive issues or dehydration during the first few weeks. Hydration in Early Stages: At the first sign of stomach distress, buy Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS brands like Electral) from a local pharmacy and mix them with clean water. Indian ORS formulas have higher electrolyte concentrations than standard sports drinks, aiding rapid recovery. High Fevers & Major Symptoms: If symptoms are severe or accompanied by high fevers and chills, do not rely solely on self-medication—visit the internal medicine department of a major private hospital immediately. Recommended Private Hospitals: Apollo Hospital, Fortis Hospital, Max Hospital, and Manipal Hospital feature international-standard facilities, medical staff fluent in English, and are widely used by foreign expats. 6. [Payments & Mobility] UPI, Ride-Hailing, and Driving Guidance ▶ UPI Digital Payments After opening a local bank account, link it to apps like PhonePe, Google Pay, or Paytm to use QR-code-based UPI (Unified Payments Interface) transactions across India. From roadside vendors to major shopping malls, exact digital payments eliminate the need for physical change. Pro Tip: Keep 1,000 to 2,000 Rupees in cash in your wallet as a backup for occasional network outages or system maintenance. ▶ Ride-Hailing Apps (Uber, Ola) These apps eliminate the need to negotiate fares on the street by offering fixed-rate transport. Airport Transfer Vehicle Choice: When traveling to the airport or carrying bulky luggage, always select an XL (SUV) vehicle. The trunks of standard compact cars and sedans are usually occupied by CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) fuel tanks, leaving almost no room for large suitcases. WhatsApp Live Location Sharing: Drivers frequently call when struggling to locate a pin. Instead of stressing over verbal directions, share your "Live Location" directly via WhatsApp so the driver can navigate to your exact spot easily. ▶ Crucial Advice: Avoid Driving Yourself Initially Attempting to drive yourself upon arrival in India is strongly discouraged: Right-hand drive / left-hand traffic layout (opposite to Korea). Flexible lane discipline and unpredictable local traffic behavior. Complex road conditions mixed with auto-rickshaws, motorcycles, pedestrians, and animals. Rely on Uber, Ola, or company-provided drivers during your initial months. Only consider personal driving after becoming thoroughly accustomed to the local traffic flow. ▶ Public Transport: Starting with the Metro Once settled, taking urban rail systems—such as the Delhi Metro, Namma Metro (Bengaluru), or Chennai Metro —is a reliable way to bypass heavy road congestion in clean, punctual, and air-conditioned environments. Closing Thoughts This guide covers the foundational steps to help you navigate initial life in India. Living in India inevitably brings unexpected variables and moments where local administrative processes feel different from what you are used to in Korea. However, viewing these differences as part of learning a new digital and cultural ecosystem—rather than just a source of frustration —will speed up your adaptation. Leaning on the advice of senior expats, local colleagues, and business partners is invaluable. Practical living wisdom in India is ultimately acquired through interpersonal connections rather than internet searches alone. Over time, your own accumulated experiences will become a valuable resource to pass along to future colleagues arriving in the country. Ultimately, immersing yourself in Indian daily life offers a unique vantage point to understand a vast, dynamic market firsthand. Experiencing local consumer habits, cultural contexts, work ethics, and digital systems up close will naturally broaden your business perspective. Embrace the journey day by day with a relaxed mindset, and enjoy taking your first steps in India!