[zulfi hansi]

BLR is not what it used to be in 2008, consider 50% quality drop in everything and climate 30% drop. In practical sense Delhi will make a better choice for you, also not much is left to consider in BLR. I was given a choice to shift to Delhi in 2006 (almost around the time you were there), and it was for a lifetime not few years. That time I never thought BLR would deteriorate so badly so fast and I had a belief that even Delhi would deteriorate. Not that I am thrilled about Delhi. But between these two, I wouldn't pick BLR anymore.

I realized that each metro in India has a distinct identity which comes from its unique culture. Not that in Bangalore. That is because the original culture here is of orthodox and conservative communities on one side, and the old cantonment of British era westernization on the other. The opposites still exist in the same way and majority have picked up the later identity especially after the advent of Silicon Valley of India, it was natural since majority were young well earning migrants (like yourself in past) enjoying their freedom away from their parents. It still makes a big YES for the 20-30 gen. It has been known as the pub capital, which it is, and other cities took years to come to this grade, but now its no more exclusive. As a matter of fact, nothing is exclusive in BLR except the climate. You still don't have much to do there other than pubs and shopping. Speaking of cultures of cities, it is diluting everywhere, but I have seen Mumbai still retain it the most. And I like that no nonsense culture, unfortunately for me there are several other factors that I don't want to stay there, even though I had a choice to move there immediately after college. For one, I just couldn't see myself traveling in those local trains. Mumbai is a great place if you have the time and money to afford a lifestyle from Bandra and below. For you my friend, BLR was a great place 2 decades ago, not anymore.

[souvikjana83]

When you are looking to settle down, think the situation 10 yrs from now. The biggest advantage of Delhi today is the Metro. Commuting is not a problem. Weather is a problem but not inside homes and offices. Metro is also there in Bangalore but only 2 lines. So future constructions will be eating up road spaces on the already narrow roads of Bangalore making the infamous traffic jams longer.

My vote will be for Delhi rest upto you.

[jkrishnakj]

I am now thinking that shifting / transfer might go off the dictionary of many organisations going forward. Work from anywhere may become the norm. It will be interesting to see what our OP decides.

[ulhas.ahirrao]

I have stayed in both places. 3 years in Bangalore and then almost 2 years in Delhi for work (traveling Mumbai - Delhi). Bangalore is hands down a better place IMO. Just that you need to stay closer to the place of work (if you work in a office) or Airport (if you travel a lot).

[vikrantshete]

Originally Posted by N33raj

I am hurtling inexorably towards a dilemma regarding which city to settle down in. i will have to decide by July of this year and once done, it is done for at least the next 5 years.

If you have the liberty to choose any city I would suggest thinking about Pune and Hyderabad.
Hyderabad is slightly cheaper than Pune to live but Pune has a lot of schools and colleges and Mumbai is closeby. Hyderabad doesn't really feel like a metro unlike Delhi and Bangalore but has all the facilities and lesser traffic and better roads. Getaways are definitely better around Pune. Temperature in Pune is similar to Bangalore... Maybe a degree or two higher.. I did not find Hyderabad temperatures unpleasant except for month of May...

Both Delhi and Bangalore have getaways that are not so close to the city. Bangalore is getting hotter but Delhi is unbearable in extremities and you can't travel without an AC vehicle (winter and summer and also the times when it gets humid and doesn't rain.. Well that covers most of the year). Delhi NCR has the reputation of the most unsafe metro in India, however New Delhi region is better. As you rightly pointed out, pollution is really bad in Delhi. In fact sometimes I could smell acid in air around connaught place area (Not sure if it was only that day..)

As far as party and nightlife is concerned (if that matters to you) I felt Delhi is more vibrant here... Delhi is also well known for a lot of artists/stage performers etc... So is Bangalore but I feel it is more known for spotting IT crowd wherever you turn your head. Delhi seems to have more of a diversity of professionals. Bangalore has grown and become important because of IT while Delhi was always important. Maybe the development in Bangalore is more recent and hence feels more modern while Delhi has some really old areas.
In Delhi you could find cheap stuff in markets as well as some of the most expensive items... Not sure if anything is priced below average in Bangalore in general.

[Mynameis]

I have stayed in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore enough to form an opinion about each of these cities. For reference I am a North Indian.

Please don't get offended, these are just my opinions like everyone has their own.

Delhi - Stayed very recently for 3 months (South Delhi).

Mumbai - Been visiting intermittently since a decade. Ranging from few days to a few months. By the way i did my college from Mumbai. After college mostly stayed in Navi Mumbai.

Bangalore - A regular visitor since last 7-8 years. (North Bangalore) I have no job obligations here but keep visiting my brother who is staying here since over 10 years. Nature of my work allows enough vacation time. Currently here since 4 months.


DELHI PROS:
1. Food variety. Endless options.

2. Wide/ divided roads mostly. Very less potholes compared to other two. Traffic flow is better than other two. (Although Navi Mumbai traffic is better than even Delhi but then most offices are in Mumbai). SURFACE of road is smoothest I have seen in India.

3. Lots of options for most of the things like shopping, eating, etc.

4. Most of the people are well dressed/ seem happy and smiling. Just what i feel. This creates a somewhat positive atmosphere around and makes you feel good from inside.

5. Metro. Perhaps the best thing that has happened to Delhi.

6. Police is everywhere. Don't blindly believe the media. Delhi is safe enough. Yes they might harass you but can also be your saviour.

7. Hindi language (If you are a north indian).


DELHI CONS:
1. Extreme weather, be it summer or winter. (But you can enjoy the winters).

2. You need to be sort of alert in daily life. You never know who will take you for a ride behind their friendly tone and smile.

3. General rough attitude of people. A reason for this is also due to influx of people from neighbouring areas/states.

4. High cost of real estate.

5. Pollution. It's a serious thing here.
Earlier I used to think this Delhi pollution thing is exaggerated but when I lived there I could actually feel smog.


MUMBAI PROS: (This includes Navi Mumbai too)
1. In general, rules are followed more compared to other two. Be it traffic rules, standing in queue, etc. Driving sense is better than Delhi and way better than Bangalore.

2. Roads are mostly divided. Separate for both ways. Although surface is mostly uneven and potholes are not uncommon.

3. No language issues. Everyone understands and speaks Hindi well. No unusual face if you do not speak Marathi.

4. Police are actually helpful. Yes bad ones are everywhere but definitely better than Bangalore and Delhi. You CAN depend on then if you need them without fear of bribe/ harassment.

5. Generally safe. Petty crimes are very less. I do not recall even one. Safe to drive even at late night.

6. Daily life is a bit organised compared to other two cities.

7. People, in general, are nice and helpful.


MUMBAI CONS:
1. Weather sucks big time.
Monsoon initial part is enjoyable but afterwards it just sucks. Umbrella becomes a part of daily life July to October.Summers are humid. No winter at all. Nov to Feb is slightly better. And did I mention flooding! Though Navi Mumbai is free of water logging.

2. Rent is very high, especially in Mumbai. Navi mumbai is slightly better but then majority of offices are in Mumbai. Property prices are very high. Even Navi mumbai properties has become very costly. Cannot say current scenario due to Covid.

3. Not that clean, compared to Bangalore and Delhi. Although Navi mumbai is a lot cleaner.

4. Everyone is always in a hurry. Fast paced life. When you are out, that friendly smile is lacking on people's faces.

5. Too much traffic chaos in Mumbai. Still traffic moves, unlike Bangalore.


BANGALORE PROS:
1. Weather. I just love it and you will love it too, for sure. Enough hot, enough cold and enough rain. No more, no less. AC mostly not required. Although Its not as good as it was a decade ago. Still WAY better than other two.

2. People mostly are very nice and polite. Very humble. No show off, unlike Delhi. Once in a while you do encounter some bad ones, but then that's acceptable and very less chance to encounter one as compared to Mumbai and Delhi. Even shopkeepers are normally well behaved and very polite in speech. I like this!

3. No thefts/ petty crimes in the area I live in. Cannot exactly say about other places but have heard from others that its pretty safe.

4. You will fall in love with filter coffee, endless variety of Dosas and Idlis.

5. If you are in IT, you are at the right place work wise. Every other person is an engineer/ programmer/web designer.

6. Considerably low cost of real estate/ low rent than Delhi and Mumbai.

7. Life overall is very PEACEFUL here.


BANGALORE CONS:
1. If you are from north, u might feel like an outsider, especially at shops or other public spaces. Don't get me wrong, people are nice and mostly everyone speaks Hindi but they might give you a bit of that unusual look, which is natural I guess. Not at all a thing to worry but just wanted to mention.

2. Traffic jams/ Road infrastructure. It just sucks. Just google images of Silk board traffic and you will understand what I am trying to say. Road design/width is poor. Very common to see a road joining another at absurd angles and in a dangerous way. Lots of meaningless one-way. Sometimes you might at all not see a red light or a sign board due to their location. Thankfully I do not have office to commute. Though, like my brother you will get used to it. Still, Bangalore has a lot to do in terms of infrastructure to compete with cities like Delhi and Mumbai.

3. Lots of red light runners, people overtaking from left, trying to squeeze, etc. All this mostly by people on two-wheelers. Car driving is no joke here. Its frustrating to say the least.

4. Won't exactly call it a con but sometimes you might feel locals are too reserved/ serious types. But I think its just their nature, nothing wrong with them.



I personally do not like Mumbai much, mainly due to weather. It's a tough one to choose between Bangalore and Delhi. I LOVE Bangalore ( for awesome weather and awesome locals) but I believe in the end I will chose Delhi!