Three years after moving to Bengaluru from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a man has offered a refreshingly intimate look at life in India’s tech capital in a heartfelt Reddit post.
“Completed 3 Years in Bengaluru – From Fear to Fondness,” read the title of the Reddit post shared by the man who moved to Bengaluru with “nothing but a suitcase, a lot of hope, and a bit of fear” in 2022.
Coming from the quiet isolation of the Andaman, the man described the move to bustling Bengaluru as “jumping into the deep end.” With no job, no family nearby, and only a few scattered friends, he ditched the usual paying guest accommodation and rented his own flat, despite having no experience living alone.
Cooking and cleaning were foreign concepts, but soon turned into sources of joy and self-discovery.
“Now? I love cooking. I find peace in cleaning. I enjoy the rhythm of chores,” he said in his post, adding: “Who knew domestic life could be so satisfying?”
Bengaluru, he said, rewarded him with more than he ever asked for – a stable job, a diverse circle of friends, and a front-row seat to their food, culture, and quirks.
He now cruises around the city on his two-wheeler, shipped all the way from the islands, soaking in its “temple bells in the morning,” “filter coffee and fluffy idlis,” and “night drives with indie music.”
Of course, he didn’t shy away from the flaws of Bengaluru: “Traffic is a mess. Language can be a barrier. Road rage exists. Cops aren’t angels.” But, he added that “what makes Bengaluru different for me is the heart it has.”
“The pink flower season that makes you forget you’re stuck in traffic. The stranger who gives you directions with a smile. The Kannadiga friends who made me feel at home and fed me like family. This city might not be perfect, but it’s full of good people and great stories,” he said.
For those looking to move to Bengaluru, he concluded his post with a message: “To anyone new here – take a chance. Step out. Get lost. Trust a few, help everyone. This city has a way of embracing those who embrace it back. Bengaluru, you made me better. Cheers to you.”
Read the full post here:
In a space often dominated by complaints about civic issues and skyrocketing rents, this rare post of gratitude and growth reminded people of the rather personal ways in which a city shapes us.
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