Canadian man settles in India with wife's family: Cost of living way lower than Toronto, lost 14lbs in 5 months

A Canadian man has permanently moved to Bengaluru, India, with his wife's family, sharing his experiences after five months in the city. While he finds the cost of living significantly lower than in Toronto and has embraced a healthier lifestyle, losing 14 pounds, he also highlights persistent frustrations with daily life.

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My wife pays for everything when we're out.

Opening a bank account has proven difficult, with the man encountering bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of acceptance for international cards. He relies on his wife for most transactions, as cash is also not widely used and change is scarce. "My wife pays for everything when we're out," he stated, detailing the complexities of obtaining necessary identification like an Aadhaar card and PAN card.

Beyond financial and administrative challenges, the man expresses dissatisfaction with the quality and authenticity of products available in India, often encountering "lies and knockoffs." He also faces a language barrier and has yet to build a substantial social circle. Despite these issues, he views the move as the "right call," citing the startup energy of Bengaluru and the freedom it offers.

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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.

"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," he wrote. He appreciates the flexibility in his schedule, allowing for midday gym visits and flexible work hours, a stark contrast to his previous banking job. He also enjoys the local cuisine, particularly South Indian dishes, and the entrepreneurial spirit he observes, with "so many founders" building businesses.

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And nearly everyone I've met here is building something. So many founders. That's the energy I wanted to be around.