Bangalore, India 🇮🇳
Nomad Score:
71%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Bangalore, also known as Bengaluru, is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is known as the 'Silicon Valley of India' due to its role as a major hub for IT companies. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 12 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 50-100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 INR ≈ 0.012 USD. Major banks include State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Generally not drinkable; bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type D/M sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone-Idea. Prepaid SIM cards available with valid ID. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International cards (Visa, MasterCard) widely accepted; mobile payment options like Paytm and PhonePe popular. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from apartments to serviced apartments via Airbnb, OYO, and NestAway. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, digital wallets and cards accepted widely. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available through platforms like Airbnb and OYO. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options include Zostel and Social Hostels. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork, located in locations like MG Road and Koramangala, is popular among digital nomads. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Third Wave Coffee Roasters, known for its work-friendly environment and good coffee. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups are regularly held at The Humming Tree and various tech community events. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups like 'Bangalore Expats' host regular meetups and events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Ola are the most popular ride-hailing apps. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Options include Bounce and Yulu for electric bike rentals. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Closest beach is around 350 km away at Gokarna, a popular weekend getaway. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | IndiGo Airlines offers extensive connections within India. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air India and Emirates offer numerous international flights. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major highways like NH44 and NH75 provide easy access to other cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Yesvantpur Junction and Bangalore City Station are primary train hubs. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) offers Vayu Vajra air-conditioned buses with monthly passes available. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Bus services like KSRTC and private operators connect Bangalore to nearby cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Manipal Hospital is among the top-rated facilities in Bangalore. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Sadhaka Yoga and Anahata Yoga offer classes for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Cult.fit and Gold's Gym are popular choices. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | WashPanda and The Drycleaners provide convenient laundry services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Swiggy and Zomato dominate the food delivery market. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Dosa and Idli are must-try South Indian dishes. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants include MTR and Veggies & Co. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Sweetstuff and Corner House serve delicious desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | KR Market is a bustling local market with fresh produce and goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon India and Flipkart are popular online shopping platforms. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | BigBasket and Grofers offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Indiranagar and Koramangala are known for their vibrant nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Toit and Arbor Brewing Company are well-known craft breweries. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Humming Tree and The Wine Company serve quality wine selections. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | VV Puram Food Street offers a variety of local street food options. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants in Bangalore serve diverse cuisines, including Chinese, Italian, and Thai, such as Mainland China and Toscano. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Bangalore Palace and Vidhana Soudha are iconic structures to explore. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum showcases the city's scientific heritage. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace offers a glimpse into the region's history. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Bull Temple in Basavanagudi is a famous temple worth visiting. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Bangalore Habba and Namma Metro Fest are popular events celebrating local culture. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Jayanagar and Malleshwaram are known for their traditional heritage. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Ranga Shankara and Jagriti Theatre host various performances and plays. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Chickpet is a famous shopping street for textiles and wedding attire. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music venues like BFlat and The Humming Tree feature both local and international acts. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Bangalore's streets, especially in Indiranagar, are adorned with vibrant murals. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Saffron Palate provides cooking classes focusing on Indian cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Venkatappa Art Gallery showcases works from local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Bangalore Fort offers insight into the city's colonial past. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city promotes a blend of traditional and modern culture, reflecting its diverse heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Nandi Hills is a popular destination for nature lovers and a weekend getaway. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Bannerghatta National Park is home to diverse wildlife, located about 22 km from the city. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Cubbon Park offers scenic walking and cycling paths in the heart of the city. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Nandi Hills offers stunning sunrise views and a great spot for photography. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Bangalore University campus is known for spotting various bird species. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Nandi Hills and some resorts around the outskirts permit bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | India Post and BlueDart provide reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iFix and One800 are popular for tech and device repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Places like KSLTA offer facilities for table tennis enthusiasts. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Institutes like Inlingua and Speakwell provide language courses including English and local languages. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The British Council Library offers a quiet study environment. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Ranga Mandira hosts various cultural events and community activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Game On and The Gaming Lounge are popular among gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | While casinos are not common, gaming events are held at various local venues. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₹8,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₹3,400,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₹6,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₹2,600,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₹9,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₹5,400,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₹7,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₹4,200,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₹8,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₹6,400,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₹6,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₹4,800,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 10% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Based on residential status and source of income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 30% |
| 🧾 VAT | 18% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applicable for entities abroad with Indian shareholders. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Local municipal tax based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Typically around 7% of the transaction value. |