How This Couple Maintained Their Lifestyle While Moving from Bengaluru to London

Arnav and Sayani always dreamed of living in Europe. “Vacations gave us a glimpse, but we wanted to experience the real deal,” Arnav shared. So, in August 2024, they left Bengaluru and moved to London.

London stood out for many reasons. “It’s a tech hub with good pay—better than most places in Europe, and we didn’t have to learn a new language,” Arnav explained.

However, moving to one of the world’s most expensive cities came with challenges. Housing was their first reality check. “We now live in a 600 square feet one-bedroom apartment, compared to a spacious 1,600 sq. ft three-bedroom back home. Rent takes up about 25% of our income,” Arnav noted. “For singles, it can be as much as half.” While it pinches, he doesn’t see it as a downgrade. “London’s apartments make good use of space, and there’s so much to do outdoors.”

As part of Mint’s series on Indian expats, the couple shares their insights on life in London.

Both work in tech, with Arnav on a UK Global Talent Visa, which allows skilled professionals to live and work in the UK without needing a job offer. “Finding jobs wasn’t hard. Our background with international firms helped. Plus, having the visa made us more attractive to employers,” Arnav said.

London offers strong career opportunities, particularly in tech and finance. “Salaries are higher than in India, even though the UK’s overall cost of living is steep,” he mentioned. In fact, recent statistics show that average salaries in London can be up to 2.5 times higher than those in major Indian cities.

Despite the high costs, the couple finds their financial situation stable. “Essentials here cost about 1.5 to 2 times what we paid in India. Yet, our incomes rose alongside expenses,” Arnav explained. “We still manage a lifestyle similar to what we had back in Bengaluru.”

Living in London has other perks. Traveling around Europe is much easier. “Quick trips to Italy or Spain are now just a train ride away. Plus, spending in pounds feels less painful than converting from INR to Euros,” he added. Arnav has his eye on a luxury car, explaining, “They cost almost half what they do in India.”

When it comes to taxes, Arnav and Sayani pay effective rates of about 35% and 30%, respectively. But the UK offers numerous benefits in exchange. A significant portion of these taxes goes toward National Insurance, which provides free healthcare through the NHS. “Healthcare treatment is covered, and we also have additional private health plans through work,” Arnav said.

The couple saves around 40% of their income, investing across India and the US. “We’re conservative but diversified. The returns have been promising—16% in India and 24% globally since the 2020 market crash,” Arnav shared. They’re also saving to buy a home, with prices in London ranging from £500,000 to £1.5 million, depending on location and size.

Despite the challenges, they have no plans to return to India soon. “Right now, we want to settle in the UK,” Arnav said. Sayani dreams of splitting time between London in summer and Bengaluru in winter. “Living here feels like an extended vacation,” Arnav chuckled.

This story of Arnav and Sayani highlights the experiences of many Indian expats navigating life in a new country. Costs and financial situations may differ, but the desire for new opportunities and experiences often unites them.

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