Top 10 Best Cities to Live and Work in India

Cities in India are famous because of their localities, workplaces, residential areas, and other factors that attract people to move there. Living in India can be a unique and exhilarating experience, whether you choose to live in bustling cityscapes or tranquil villages. 

The country is home to an eclectic mix of people from all over the world, making it a vibrant cultural mosaic. From its well-developed infrastructure to its abundance of natural attractions, life in India never ceases to amaze. Even many of the infrastructure and transportation projects in this city are done by the turnkey construction option.

India is the most populous country; it’s also the seventh-largest country in terms of area and the largest democracy in the world. There are a total of 28 states and more than 4,000 cities spread across this large country that provide jobs and amenities to their residents! In this article, I’ll be reviewing 10 of India’s best cities for expats to reside and work in, so be sure to check them out! 

Mumbai

Mumbai is the busiest city in India, yet it owns many names and recognition, like the Financial capital of India, the City of dreams, the land of Bollywood, etc. Mumbai holds both commerce and entertainment hubs.

If you are considering a place to call home and work, whether it’s in close proximity or a bit farther away, Mumbai is an excellent choice. This bustling metropolis boasts the highest concentration of companies in India, with over 50 thousand businesses, making it a prime hub for both career opportunities and residential living. The city’s well-connected local train and metro networks efficiently transport countless working individuals. However, it’s worth noting that these modes of transportation tend to be more crowded during office hours.
Mumbai’s property landscape offers a diverse range of options, from leasehold to freehold properties, and some areas are renowned for their luxuriousness. Whether you’re exploring the nuances of leasehold vs. freehold property or seeking a lavish living space, Mumbai accommodates various preferences and needs.

The Indian government has introduced several housing schemes and initiatives, with a focus on providing affordable and permanent housing, including well-built pucca houses and kutcha houses, to residents across the country. One of the prominent government initiatives in the realm of affordable housing is the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). PMAY is designed to offer well-constructed pucca houses to economically weaker sections (EWS), lower-income groups (LIG), and middle-income groups (MIG) in both urban and rural areas. This initiative plays a crucial role in ensuring that lower-income group individuals have the opportunity to live in areas with high living costs, such as Mumbai.

Mumbai has indeed been one of India’s most prominent and one of the fastest-growing cities. As the financial and commercial hub of the country, Mumbai has experienced rapid urbanization, economic development, and population growth. Its status as a major business center, along with its vibrant cultural scene, has contributed to its growth and allure.

Mumbai is the financial, commercial, and entertainment hub of India. Mumbai is known for its stark contrasts in terms of real estate. At the same time, there are areas like Malabar Hill, Colaba, and Worli that are considered extremely luxurious and expensive houses in Mumbai.

Navi Mumbai: Navi Mumbai is included in the Greater Mumbai locale. In comparison to Mumbai, Navi Mumbai is far more planned and organized in its infrastructure. As a quickly developing city, there have been many beneficial projects initiated here. It has distinct Nodes further subdivided into Junctions with walkways kept neat and the railways running at full efficiency.

Best places to live in Mumbai: Ghatkopar east, Borivali, Kandivali, Goregaon, Powai, Juhu, Dadar, Matunga

Best Places to visit in Mumbai: The Gateway of India, Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir, Marine drive (especially in the evening), Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

{Note fact About Mumbai: Mumbai’s serious crowd time- morning 7 to 11 and evening 5 to 9}

Nagpur

Nagpur is famous for more than just oranges, with affordable properties, an education hub, a traveling point, and fast development. People who prefer winters more than summers can happily work and live in Nagpur since it is a winter capital. Nagpur is a major political and commercial center of the Vidarbha region in India, serving as the winter capital of Maharashtra. 

With an influx of money and corporate interest, it has become one of the most modern cities in the region. As part of the Smart City Project, Nagpur is envisioned to be one of the top ten cities in the country and offers a variety of cultural and historical attractions.

Best places to live in Nagpur: Manewada, Besa, Trimurti Nagar, Narendra Nagar, Wardha Road, Koradi Road.

Best Places to visit in Nagpur: Shri Ganesh Temple, Narrow Gauge Rail Museum, Sitabardi Fort, Futala Lake.

{Note fact About Nagpur: Nagpur is the land of India’s first Textile Mill}

Delhi

Delhi, the City of rallies and the capital of India, Delhi has the highest number of startups, sure it has, it’s the largest city in India. 

Best places to live in Delhi: Dwarka, Karol Bagh, Mayur Vihar, Nehru Place, Vasant Kunj, Lajpat Nagar 

Best Places to visit in Delhi: India Gate, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, National Museum, Garden of Five Senses

{Note fact About Delhi: The red fort in Delhi used to be in white color}

Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad – One of the best cities to live and work in India

Ahmedabad is a great city to live in, with lavish apartments and residential facilities around Satellite, SG Highway, and Prahlad Nagar.

Best places to live in Ahmedabad: Chandkheda, Sindhu Bhavan Road, Ambli – Bopal Road, Central Ahmedabad, Science City Road

Best Places to visit in Ahmedabad: Sabarmati Ashram, Hutheesing Jain Temple, Jami Masjid, Auto World Vintage Car Museum, The Calico Museum of Textiles

{Note fact About Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad has the largest stadium in the world }

Pune 

Pune boasts educational centers, an IT infrastructure, eateries with diverse cuisine choices and nightlife attractions, as well as a plethora of outdoor activities. Despite the cost of living there being relatively high compared to other cities in India, it is still a desirable destination due to its many sites such as colleges, palaces, and ashrams that contain invaluable cultural legacies like museums.

Best places to live in Pune: Kalyani Nagar, Viman Nagar, Model Colony, Koregaon Park, Magarpatta City.

Best Places to visit in Pune: Shaniwar Wada, Aga Khan Palace, Pune-Okayama Friendship Garden, Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Sinhagad Fort

{Note fact About Pune: The Beginning of Badminton was in Pune by British officers}

Dehradun

As the capital of Uttarakhand, Dehradun has transformed itself through its resources and aspirations. It now features IT amenities and is ready to welcome large corporations and start-ups alike. Dehradun also has IT parks and developmental zones for MNCs, making it a great place to work. Dehradun is applauded as the “Educational Hub of Uttarakhand”, boasting several acclaimed universities and boarding schools from throughout India.

About living in Dehradun? Living in Dehradun will give you both the best experience living and working. Since its Located on the entranceway to Mussoorie, Rishikesh, and Haridwar, 

Best places to live in Dehradun: Hathibarkala Salwala, Rajpur Road, Indra Nagar, Nehru Colony, Chakrata Road

Best Places to visit in Dehradun: Tapkeshwar Mahadev Mandir, Forest Research Institute, Robber’s Cave, Shree Prakasheshwar Mahadev Mandir

{Note fact About Dehradun: Dehradun has temples 2000 years old}

Bangalore 

The more companies, the more jobs, right? India’s highest job and employment numbers can be found in Bangalore. Bangalore is a great city to live in, with its IT hub, entertainment, shopping, nightlife, art and culture, food, pleasant weather, lakes, gardens, parks, and weekend getaways.

Best places to live in Bangalore: Indira Nagar, Malleshwaram, Rajaji Nagar, Jayanagar, Basavanagudi

Best Places to visit in Bangalore: Radha Krishna Temple ISKCON, Vidhana Soudha, Cubbon Park

{Note fact About Bengaluru: Bengaluru city of gods, has more than 1000 temples}

Chennai

Chennai is renowned for its safety, and it resonates with visitors due to the combination of its historical heritage, cultural atmosphere, and breathtaking scenery. Mainly Chennai also Known as the fourth biggest city in India, Chennai is full of temples, churches, and various beaches. It has a great amount of activity on its streets, with exciting nightlife promised to meet every desire that young people have.

Best places to live in Chennai: Thiruvanmiyur, Nungambakkam, Kotturpuram, Anna Nagar, Adyar

Best Places to visit in Chennai: Marina Beach, Vivekananda House, Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple, Arulmigu Vadapalani Murugan Temple

{Note fact About Chennai: Chennai’s original name was madras}

Hyderabad

Aspiring and youthful professionals are being drawn to Hyderabad as the second strongest hub of IT/software companies, creating a setting full of energy and opportunity. Considered one of the finest cities in which to live, its popularity is quickly growing. Nowadays Hyderabad is becoming the New York of South India, with people busy in cafes, offices, temples, and more.

Best places to live in Hyderabad: Dilsukhnagar, Miyapur, Uppal, Begumpet, Kondapur, Kukatpally

Best Places to visit in Hyderabad: Birla Mandir, Charminar, Kasu Brahmanandha Reddy National Park, Mecca Masjid

{Note fact About Hyderabad: Hyderabad is the hometown of Sania mirza}

Kolkata

Essentially, Kolkata is the most secure city in India, with its lowest criminal activity rates. Kolkata is the cultural capital of India and home to some of the most important artistic movements in Indian history. 

It has a rich culture that ranges from ancient Hindu scriptures to modern popular music and fashion. Also, Kolkata is an affordable and beautiful city in India with great architecture, delicious food, and unique culture. It’s perfect for those looking to relocate to Kolkata.

Best places to live in Kolkata: Jadavpur, Park Street, Salt Lake, Tollygunge, Bhawanipur

Best Places to visit in Kolkata: Howrah Bridge, Indian Museum, Victoria Memorial, Eden Gardens

{Note fact About Kolkata: Kolkata has the largest second-hand book market }

Conclusion

Before relocating to one of the above cities in India, make sure you are aware of the city’s advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, if you have already decided on a relocation, consult with a real estate expert to reduce stress during your move and home purchase.
Comparing cities before making a decision to shift is a crucial step. Each city in India has its own unique characteristics, advantages, and challenges, e.g. The capital of India Delhi, and The financial capital of India “Mumbai” are major cities in India, Delhi is generally considered more affordable than Mumbai when you compare cost of living Delhi vs Mumbai.

I hope these shortlisted cities helped you while moving or searching for properties in such cities.