Seven years ago, entrepreneur Hardeep Gambhir left India, settling into the tech-driven, innovation-centric culture of the Bay Area in San Francisco, US. Now, in a surprising turn of events, he finds himself thriving in Bengaluru, a city he had never previously visited. Gambhir’s move to India’s Silicon Valley to launch The Residency has been nothing short of a revelation, offering a blend of familiar comforts and new opportunities.
The entrepreneur, in a thread on X, described how Bengaluru is strikingly similar to San Francisco and the many benefits the city offers.
He started with Uber.
From the moment Gambhir landed at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport, he noticed the city’s tech-forward approach to everyday logistics. The “Uber Zone” allows passengers to book a ride and immediately hop into the first available car, eliminating wait times.
“Instead of booking an Uber and finding it, you simply book an Uber and go to the first car in the queue of cars, tell your PIN to the driver and off you go to your destination. No waiting time,” he wrote.
Expecting to rely on his Hindi, Gambhir was taken aback when an auto-rickshaw driver replied in English. “Turns out Bangalore is the city with English as the most spoken language in India. I was so surprised by this,” he wrote.
Comparing Bangalore’s HSR Layout to San Francisco’s Hayes Valley, Gambhir highlights the vibrant startup ecosystem.
“Once you're tapped into the startup ecosystem, you start bumping into people in popular places often. And the talent? - just insane. In 1 month, I have met some insane builders here,” the entrepreneur said.
For those accustomed to the high costs of living in places like San Francisco, Gambhir found Bengaluru offering a refreshing change. Gambhir cites his monthly expenses dropping from $2,500 in San Francisco to about $900 in Bangalore. Essential services like Swiggy Instamart provide ultra-fast delivery, with items arriving within minutes even in the early hours of the morning.
“I once ordered a bunch of miscellaneous things at 2:33 AM and by 2:37 the dude was outside. Delivery charge was $0.03,” he recalled.
Furthermore, he cited India’s competitive telecom market offers remarkably cheap data plans.
For transport, Gambhir cited Yulu electric bikes, capable of speeds up to 30 km/hr, paralleling the eco-friendly bike-sharing services found in San Francisco.
Gambhir also praised the city’s pleasant climate, which averages around 23ºC, a stark contrast to the intense heat often associated with other parts of India. He also commends the safety of the HSR Layout, particularly for women, adding another layer of appeal for those considering a move.
Not everything is perfect. Gambhir points out the nuisances of mosquitoes and the high security deposits required for renting.
Gambhir concludes his thread with a strong endorsement of Bengaluru’s burgeoning startup landscape. He added that e-visas take just a few days to process.
“Highly recommend for someone curious about another country's startup ecosystem like SF to come visit here. Oh not to mention. Uber is sh-t cheap,” he concluded.
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