Bengaluru, often hailed as the “Silicon Valley of India,” continues to be a magnet for IT professionals seeking better career prospects and higher salaries. But for some, the reality of living in the city doesn’t quite match the allure of its professional opportunities. A corporate worker who recently relocated from Noida to Bengaluru has voiced their deep regret over the move, citing poor infrastructure, overwhelming traffic, and cultural divides as key reasons for their dissatisfaction.
In a Reddit post titled “Moved to Bengaluru from Noida and I regret it,” the individual shared their experience of moving to the Karnataka capital for a Rs 30,000 monthly salary hike, only to find the city’s living conditions much less than ideal. Prior to the move, the worker had spent over a year in Noida and limited their job search to the National Capital Region (NCR). However, realizing that they were missing out on career opportunities, they took the plunge and moved south.
Four months later, the worker is questioning whether the salary increase was worth the trade-off. “It’s not worth moving for that hike,” they lamented, describing Bengaluru as “dirty, unorganized,” with “bad roads,” “worst traffic,” and “poor water quality.” They also expressed frustration at the lack of private space, something they found more abundant in Noida, as well as the social and cultural divide between North and South Indians, which they claim is evident on a daily basis.
For this worker, the move to Bengaluru has proven to be a major culture shock. The city’s population density, vastly higher than Noida’s more open spaces, has left them feeling overwhelmed. “I really regret moving out of Noida,” they admitted, adding that Noida felt like the “best Tier-1 city to work in,” despite its pollution problems.
Other users on the thread shared similar sentiments. One person, who had made the reverse move from Bengaluru to Noida to be closer to their family, described it as one of the best decisions they had made. They mentioned that while Bengaluru’s social scene and connections were missed, the financial savings and reduced stress in Noida were worth it. Interestingly, they also felt safer in Noida, despite the common belief that Bengaluru is a safer city.
Another user recounted their experience with regional discrimination in Bengaluru. Feeling unwelcome due to the biases against people from the “cow belt,” they found it difficult to feel at home in a city that, despite its modernity, had a sharp divide between locals and non-locals. “It felt like I could buy a house in Bengaluru, but I could never call it home,” they wrote. This sentiment highlights a growing concern that cultural biases—whether subtle or overt—can make even cosmopolitan cities feel unwelcoming.
Bengaluru’s infrastructure also came under heavy criticism, with one user describing it as the “most unplanned city in the country.” From traffic jams to chaotic road layouts and the ongoing construction of flyovers and metro lines, the city’s rapid, yet disorganized, growth has left many residents frustrated. The only silver lining, according to many, is the city’s weather—a factor that, while pleasant, cannot compensate for the city’s other shortcomings.
Interestingly, a local resident defended the city’s rapid growth, acknowledging its unplanned nature but attributing it to Bengaluru’s sudden and massive development. They apologized for the discrimination the worker faced, stressing that such behavior was not representative of the community as a whole.
This worker’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for anyone considering relocating to Bengaluru or any other city for that matter. While the financial incentives may seem appealing, it is essential to assess the broader quality of life, including infrastructure, cultural integration, and personal comfort. It’s a reminder that what may be the perfect job opportunity for one person can be the wrong fit for someone else. The decision to move for career advancement should never be made in haste—quality of life and personal happiness are just as important as a salary hike.
