Best Places to Live in Delhi for Expats
If you’re moving to Delhi, the best places to live are in South Delhi. This is the greenest and most affluent part of Delhi. It has good infrastructure and easy access to excellent hospitals, schools and commercial sectors.
I’m an expat and lived in Delhi for 3 years. I still spend several months each year in Delhi. I’ve lived West, East and South Delhi, so I know what I’m talking about!
Best Places to Live in Delhi for Expats
The best area in Delhi is South Delhi. This is actually a large area with many neighbourhoods and sub-neighbourhoods. I’ll take you through the best ones that are most popular with expats.
Because it’s the most sought after area of Delhi, rents are higher. But I think it’s worth it. Location is everything, and in Delhi it also means cleaner air and reliable electricity.
Most expats live in South Delhi. It will be easier to find a new social circle, get peer support and find what you need if you’re living there.
How Delhi Neighbourhoods are Laid Out
Before I list the neighbourhoods you should consider living in, let me explain how a typical Delhi neighbourhood is laid out. Coming from Canada, this took me a while to get used to.
Neighbourhoods in Delhi are often called colonies and enclaves; Defence Colony or Diplomatic Enclave, for example. Sometimes a block of flats is also called a colony.
Larger neighbourhoods are organized by blocks, Block B, Block C, etc. Some blocks are superior to others.
A block does not mean a city block like in North America. A block is a section of a neighbourhood. A typical address is like this: D-193, Block D, Saket.
Many Delhi neighbourhoods are gated. Better neighbourhoods will have gates and/or guards at the entry roads. Guards usually check all vehicles entering the colony at night. Sometimes they check during the day too.
The Best South Delhi Places for Expats to Live
South Delhi is a big area, but these are the top places to live, especially for families. Most of my expat friends live in these areas and they’re all good.
The Most Affluent Places of South Delhi to Live In
These are considered the poshest and wealthiest residential areas of Delhi. Your experience of Delhi will be a lot more comfortable if you are in one of these luxe localities.
Because of the proximity to the American Embassy School these are top choices for families.
Chanakyapuri
Chanakyapuri is the most prestigious area of South Delhi. The Diplomatic Enclave is in Chanakyapuri, as well as a number of embassies (including both the Canadian and British High Commissions). It’s a favourite neighbourhood of expats.
The main street is Shantipath, which I call Embassy Row. In spring thousands of Dutch tulips bloom along Shantipath. Nehru Park is in Chanakyapuri, one of Delhi’s best recreational parks.
Malcha Marg
This is a very exclusive sub-neighourhood of Chanakyapuri. Because of its proximity to the American Embassy, it’s a favourite of American expats, and one of the most sought after addresses in Delhi.
In my opinion, this enclave as well as Lodhi Estate are the two nicest areas of Delhi to live in (if you can afford it).
Malcha Marg backs onto the Central Reserve Ridge Forest, a massive forest known as the lungs of Delhi. The air here is literally cleaner.
It’s a quiet, almost quaint area of two story flat blocks and homes with lots of trees. There’s a small but excellent market which has the best yoga studio in Delhi, Lifeyoga, and several amazing cafes, like Amour Bistro and Fig at Malcha.
Golf Links
This is one of the richest enclaves of Delhi. If you are an avid golfer, you’ll love calling Golf Links home. It’s right next to the private Delhi Golf Club (start the membership process asap, because there’s a waiting list).
Golf Links is in the small but exclusive neighbourhood of Sundar Nagar. This is where you’ll see Delhi mansions.
Lodhi Estate
In my opinion, this along with Malcha Marg, are the loveliest enclaves in Delhi. This part of Delhi was built and planned by Edwin Lutyens for the British Raj, and is called Lutyens’ Delhi.
It is the greenest, most beautiful part of the city, with thousands of flowering trees, wide boulevards and sprawling, white bungalows.
It’s also next door to Delhi’s most beautiful park, Lodhi Garden. This is a quiet, affluent area.
Moti Bagh
Moti Bagh is one of Delhi’s most expensive neighbourhoods. Originally built to house upper level government officials, it’s now a favourite of well off expats and locals. It’s considered one of the most prestigious addresses in Delhi.
It’s next door to Chanakyapuri and the diplomatic enclave, but closer to the international airport.
Upper Middle Class Areas of South Delhi to Live In
These are the more prestigious upper middle class neighbourhoods. Many expats live in these South Delhi residential areas.
Anand Niketan
A small but exclusive neighbourhood. It is heavily gated and the guards check cars during the day too.
There’s a small market. My dog’s vet is in Anand Niketan and the Canadian High Commission houses diplomats here.
Shanti Niketan
It’s next door to Anand Niketan and considered a small but premiere residential enclave.
Vasant Vihar
Vasant Vihar is larger upper middle class area on the west side of South Delhi, popular with the international diplomatic community. I lived in this neighbourhood for a while.
It’s relatively close to the Indira Gandhi International Airport and central Delhi, making it a favourite choice for expats who travel a lot. It’s beside one of Delhi’s best market and entertainment complexes, the Priya Complex.
Defence Colony
This is an excellent upper middle class area on the east side of South Delhi with a popular small market.
I’ve rented Airbnbs in Defence Colony and almost leased an apartment here a couple of years ago. It’s a nice, quiet area. The proximity to the flyover and highway access make it a good choice for those working in Noida or Greater Noida.
Nizamuddin East
This is a wealthy pocket on the east side of South Delhi. It’s in one of the most historic parts of the city, right next to Humayun’s Tomb. If you are enthralled with Delhi’s history you’ll like it here – there are several impressive tombs in the neighbourhood and Sunder Nursery is just barely outside the locality boundary.
Traffic is particularly bad in the area getting to and from the colony (not within Nizamuddin East itself), and it’s close to the Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station so you will hear trains.
Don’t confuse this area with Nizamuddin West – they are on opposite ends of the spectrum.
Greater Kailash (GK)
Greater Kailash is often called GK. It’s made up of 3 areas: Greater Kailash I, Greater Kailash II and Greater Kailash III (widely known as GK I, GK II, GK III).
GK I is considered the most prestigious, but GK II is also very desirable. Both GK I and GK II have excellent markets with lots of shopping and dining options. GK is a favourite for families.
Saket
A very good neighbourhood close to one of Delhi’s best private hospitals, Max Super Specialty Hospital.
Saket is a large neighbourhood comprising of many residential blocks, and a separate commercial area with several shopping malls. My last Delhi apartment was in Saket, and I loved the location.
Green Park
This is an excellent small residential colony with a central location. It has a nice market with restaurants, cafes, bakeries and shops, and several historic Mughal era tombs. Before leasing a flat I used to rent long term Airbnbs in Green Park.
Green Park is next to Deer Park, one of Delhi’s largest green spaces. Locals claim the air is less polluted in this neighbourhood because of the proximity to the park.
Panchsheel Park
Lovely residential neighbourhood next to Siri Fort Forest (aka Hauz Khas Forest), a vast green space. This locale is divided into North Block and South Block, divided by the Outer Ring Road. North Block is next to the green spaces, but both blocks are very desirable.
Panchsheel Park was purposely planned without a market area to limit commercial activity.
Gulmohar Park
Another very sought after and quiet residential enclave near Hauz Khas. Like Panchsheel Park it doesn’t have a market area, but is very well located and close to all amenities.
Neeti Bagh
A small quiet, residential enclave, very exclusive, next to Gulmohar Park. It has a nice park and small market area.
Jor Bagh
This is a large residential area bordering Deer Park, one of Delhi’s largest green spaces. It’s bigger and not as quiet as Gulmohar Park and Neeti Bagh, but still a top neighbourhood in South Delhi.
‘Farm House’ Living if You Want More Space
In Delhi, a farm house means a large house on a large piece of property, maybe an acre and above. There are two main areas in South Delhi with these kinds of properties: Chhattarpur and Mehrauli.
This is where you’ll find properties with swimming pools, tennis courts and large back yards.
Mehrauli is a little closer to central Delhi than Chhattarpur, but the traffic getting to and from these areas can be bad – especially Chhattarpur. However, if a pool and outdoor space are important, these areas are where you’ll need to look.
The Best Budget Friendly Areas for Expats to Live In
Rentals in Delhi are not cheap. These areas have more budget friendly options.
Hauz Khas
Hauz Khas is a large area in South Delhi. It’s very central, well connected by metro, close to the Outer Ring Road, and has residential and commercial blocks.
This is the best of the more budget friendly options, but also the most expensive. A lot of expats like and live in Hauz Khas.
Lajpat Nagar
Lajpat Nagar is on the opposite side of the highway flyover from upper class Defence Colony.
It’s a busy area with mixed residential and commercial blocks. Houses are closer together here and there isn’t as much greenery as Hauz Khas, for example. But you will find cheaper rentals and the location is still excellent.
Some areas here are definitely better than others, so be aware when looking. Try to stay away from the super busy Central Market.
Malviya Nagar
This is another area popular with expats on a budget. This would not my first choice. Malviya Nagar is not as good as Hauz Khas or Saket, but it’s more budget friendly and a lot of expats end up living here.
Some blocks are very congested and the market area is crowded, but the Geetanjali Enclave is not so bad.
FAQs Best Areas to Live in Delhi for Expats
These are the most common questions about where to live in Delhi:
Which is the safest place to live in Delhi?
Generally, the wealthiest areas are the safest because they have more security.
In South Delhi this would include neighbourhoods like Defence Colony, Anand Niketan, Shanti Niketan, Moti Bagh, Chanakyapuri, Malcha Marg, Neeti Bagh, Panchsheel Park, Mayfair Gardens, and Gulmohar Park.
Which is the most posh area of Delhi?
Golf Links, Lodhi Estate, Malcha Marg, Chanakyapuri and Moti Bagh are the most expensive and poshest areas of Delhi.
Where do most expats live in Delhi?
Most expats live in South Delhi or Gurugram. Many international corporations have their India head offices in Gurugram, so their executives and families end up living out there.
Although I have been to Gurugram many times, I have never lived there so can’t really comment on the best areas. It’s mostly high rise complexes, and there are some very exclusive ones.
The Wrap-up on Best Places to Live in Delhi
The best places to live are all in South Delhi. As an expat, keep in mind things like neighbourhood security, proximity to work, schools, shopping and transport. Delhi is an enormous city with terrible traffic, so these things are really important.
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Don’t forget travel insurance! It’s always a good idea to carry travel insurance just in case something goes wrong. I really like and use SafetyWing.
