Ultimate Expat Relocation Guide to Gurugram (2026)

Quick Answer: Relocation feels calm when you control the sequence: choose housing by commute and daily essentials, confirm move-in rules, then set up SIM + UPI and test one delivery flow. For furnished homes, a signed inventory annexure with photos protects you. Avoid scams by never sharing OTPs and never installing remote-access apps.

Key Takeaways

Choose housing by daily routine (commute + essentials), not only rent.
For furnished rentals, the inventory annexure matters as much as the lease.
Set up SIM + UPI early; test one food and one grocery flow.
Avoid scams: no OTP sharing, no screen sharing, no "KYC update" links.
For a shortlist: send a structured request (move date, budget, commute).

Neighborhood streets and commute planning (representative image)

Using a phone for payments and navigation (representative image)

Furnished apartment interior (representative image)

Want a verified furnished shortlist?

Share your budget, move-in window, and office location. We will recommend expat-friendly societies and verified listings that match your timeline.

Who this guide is for

Direct answer: This is for expats (Japanese, Korean, European, and other international transferees) relocating to Gurugram and renting a furnished apartment. The goal is not to cover every scenario. It is to reduce first-month friction and help you avoid the common mistakes that waste time and money.

If you only do 5 things

Choose housing by commute + daily essentials, then verify society operations
Get an Indian SIM (OTP-based verification depends on it)
Enable UPI through your bank app and test a small payment
Use a signed inventory annexure with photos at handover
Save emergency and fraud-reporting channels before you need them

If your employer/HR is involved (make it easy for them)

Direct answer: If you have an employer relocation coordinator, you will get better help faster when you send a structured request. The goal is to eliminate ambiguity (budget, commute, move-in date, and must-haves).

Message template for HR/relocation

Move-in date and expected lease length
Budget range (rent only) and preferred furnishing level
Office location (exact) and typical commute window
Family size and school needs (if applicable)
Top 3 must-haves and top 3 deal-breakers
Preferred societies/areas (if any) and why

Step 1: choose where to live (operations beat aesthetics)

Direct answer: A beautiful lobby does not guarantee a calm first year. What matters to expats is daily operations: deliveries, visitors, move-in rules, power backup behavior, and maintenance responsiveness.

Society operations checklist (ask before you pay)

Visitor rules: how guests enter and typical waiting time
Delivery rules: lobby pickup vs tower-door delivery
Move-in/out rules: lift booking and allowed timing windows
Power backup: what load is supported inside the apartment
Maintenance: how issues are raised, how fast they are resolved

Recommended For

If your commute fits Golf Course Extension Road, start with our focus societies: IREO Grand Arch, M3M Heights, Conscient Elevate, and Emaar Digi Homes.

Step 2: shortlist apartments the right way (avoid overwhelm)

Direct answer: Limit visits and decision fatigue. Two societies and three units is enough to decide if your shortlist is good. Over-shopping creates anxiety and delays.

Your situation	Best strategy	Why it works
Moving in soon (2 to 8 weeks)	Shortlist 2 societies + 3 units	Faster decision, fewer "maybe" apartments
Family with kids	Shortlist schools first, then housing	School location dictates daily routine
Office-heavy schedule	Optimize commute predictability	Time savings reduce stress and costs

What to send for a shortlist (copy/paste)

Move-in date and lease length
Budget range (rent only) and preferred furnishing level
Office location (exact) and typical commute window
Family size and school needs (if any)
Top 3 must-haves (example: quiet bedroom, strong backup, pet-friendly)

Typical lease terms in our managed listings (so you can compare)

Direct answer: Most expats do better when rent terms are standardized and written down early. In our current managed listings, the common baseline is: base rent + 2 months security deposit + an 11-month first lease term. Maintenance, notice, and renewal language can vary by owner, so confirm those in writing.

Term	Common baseline	What to verify
Base rent	Listing-specific	Does it include maintenance or is maintenance separate?
Security deposit	2 months base rent	Refund timeline and deduction rules
First lease term	11 months	Renewal timeline and notice period
Inventory annexure (furnished)	Signed list + photos	Appliance condition and replacement rules

Reality Check

Treat these as comparison baselines, not guarantees. Always verify the final written terms for the specific unit you are booking.

Examples from our live inventory:

M3M Heights 2BHK (baseline terms)
IREO Grand Arch 3BHK (baseline terms)

Want a cost sheet before you visit?

Share your budget, move-in window, and commute. We will reply with a focused shortlist plus a simple cost sheet (rent, deposit, likely add-ons) so you can compare options.

Request Shortlist

Step 3: furnished rentals (inventory annexure is your protection)

Direct answer: In a furnished apartment, the inventory annexure is often more important than the marketing photos. It should be signed at handover and include photos and condition notes.

Inventory annexure essentials

Appliances: AC, fridge, washer, microwave (make/model if available)
Counts: keys, remotes, access cards, parking stickers
Condition notes: scratches, dents, stains (document before move-in)
Photos: wide shots and close-ups of existing marks
Replacement rules: what is wear-and-tear vs chargeable damage

Cost Saver

A 15-minute inventory walk-through prevents weeks of deposit disputes later.

Step 4: SIM, banking, and UPI (the "daily life unlock")

Direct answer: Many workflows in India depend on OTP-based verification, so an Indian SIM is a day-1 priority. UPI is the day-to-day payment layer that removes friction from small transactions.

SIM and UPI setup

Use official telecom processes for subscriber verification
Enable UPI through your bank app (or BHIM) and test a small payment
Set a UPI PIN inside the official app only; never share it
Keep a backup method for week 1 (card + cash)

Step 5: scams to avoid (official warnings)

Direct answer: Scammers impersonate banks and delivery support to steal OTPs or get you to install remote-access apps. RBI has published fraud advisories and the cybercrime portal/helpline exists for reporting.

Anti-fraud checklist

Never share OTPs (not for bank, not for delivery, not for "KYC")
Never install remote-access apps for "support"
Do not click KYC links from messages; open bank apps directly
If you suspect fraud, report quickly using official channels

Watch Out

If a caller pressures you to act immediately or threatens account closure, slow down and verify using official bank channels.

Step 6: daily life essentials (the expat app stack)

Direct answer: Your first month becomes calm when you have one reliable option for each category: transport, food, groceries, and home services.

Category	What it solves	Common options
Transport	Commute tests, airport runs, last-mile trips	Uber, Ola
Food delivery	Week 1 meals, late arrivals	Swiggy, Zomato
Groceries	Essentials without learning every store	Blinkit, Instamart, Zepto
Home services	Cleaning and small repairs	Urban Company, society vendors

First-week setup: reduce friction

Set a pickup landmark near your gate for ride-hailing
Add your address in the society format security recognizes
Test one small order (food and groceries) before you rely on it
Save building management escalation path for maintenance

Quick local directory (first-month essentials)

Direct answer: In your first month, the goal is not to know every “best place”. It is to have one reliable option for each essential: a pharmacy, a clinic/hospital path, and one supermarket or quick-commerce routine. Save a small list early and verify hours and entry rules before you rely on it.

Save these on day 1

One pharmacy option near your sector (plus a backup delivery option)
One hospital/clinic path and how you will communicate your address
One grocery routine (quick-commerce + one in-person store)
One cafe/meeting spot you can reach without stress
Society security + building management contacts

Start here: Quick local directory.

Step 7: utilities and connectivity (keep it practical)

Direct answer: Utilities depend on your building and provider. For most expats, the practical goal is: electricity is stable, backup is understood, and internet is installed quickly.

Utilities questions to ask

Electricity: which provider and how billing works for the unit
Backup power: what load is supported (AC? fans? lights?)
Internet: feasible providers and router placement
Water: any known outages or scheduling patterns (ask residents/management)

Step 8: tour with a checklist (how to compare units fast)

Direct answer: A 15-minute tour checklist beats a 90-minute "maybe" tour. You are not trying to notice everything. You are trying to avoid the most common regrets: noise, poor ventilation, unreliable backup behavior, and unclear inclusions.

15-minute tour checklist

Bedroom test: stand quietly for 30 seconds (noise + privacy)
Bathroom test: run water and check pressure + drainage
AC test: run each unit briefly (cooling + unusual noise)
Backup test: ask what works during backup (fans/lights/AC)
Internet: router location and provider feasibility
Furniture check: stability, stains, and functional storage
Inventory proof: confirm the signed list matches what you see

Pro Tip

If you are choosing between two similar units, pick the one with the calmer bedroom. Daily sleep quality is a bigger upgrade than "one more feature".

Step 9: schools and healthcare (route before you optimize)

Direct answer: If you have kids, school routing can dominate your routine. If not, healthcare still matters: know your nearest reputable hospital path and how you will reach it at night. Use these guides as curated starting points.

Need	What to do	Best next page
Schools	Shortlist schools first, then rent	International schools near GCER
Healthcare	Know your hospital/clinic path	Hospitals for expats
Groceries	One premium option + quick-commerce backup	Premium grocery guide

Step 10: air quality and seasonal planning

Direct answer: North India has seasonal air quality variation. If you have asthma or sensitive family members, track official AQI data and plan mitigation (air purifier, masks for severe days, outdoor timing).

Emergency readiness (do this once)

Direct answer: Save emergency numbers before you need them. ERSS (112) is the emergency response system for many regions. For financial fraud, the cybercrime portal/helpline is the right channel.

Emergency and reporting

Save emergency number 112
Bookmark cybercrime reporting portal and helpline details
Save society security + building management contacts
Keep your address template in Notes for quick copy/paste

FAQs

What should I do first after landing?

Direct answer: Stabilize housing, activate an Indian SIM, enable one payment method (UPI) and test one delivery flow. Once those work, your first month becomes predictable.

Should I prioritize a cheaper apartment or a shorter commute?

Direct answer: For many first-time expats, predictability wins. A slightly higher rent with a better routine often reduces stress and convenience spending.

What is the most important document for a furnished apartment?

Direct answer: The signed inventory annexure with photos. It prevents arguments about what was included and what condition it was in.

How do I sanity-check the commute?

Direct answer: Test the route in your real hours. If using metro, use official operator sites and plan last-mile pickup.

What is the fastest way to get a shortlist?

Direct answer: Send a structured request (move date, budget, office location, family size, and must-haves). It reduces back-and-forth and speeds matching.

Want a shortlist faster? (copy/paste template)

Direct answer: Copy/paste this and fill in the blanks.

Item	Your answer
Move-in date	___
Lease length	___ months
Family size	___
Budget range	INR ___ to ___
Office location	___
School (if any)	___
Must-haves	example: quiet bedroom, strong backup, pet-friendly

Get verified options in our 4 societies

We focus on furnished rentals in IREO Grand Arch, M3M Heights, Conscient Elevate, and Emaar Digi Homes. Share your move-in window and we will send a shortlist.