A heartfelt Reddit post from a Mumbai native has won over Bengaluru locals as the user shared his positive experience after living in the Karnataka capital for five years.
In the post shared on the subreddit r/Bangalore, the user shared how Bengaluru defied all the warnings he received before moving – from traffic chaos to language barriers and unfriendly locals.
“As a Maharashtrian from Mumbai, 5 Years in Bengaluru Have Been Nothing Like the Warnings,” read the title of the Reddit post.
The user, originally from Mumbai and raised in a Maharashtrian household, said that he moved to Bengaluru five years ago for work and was armed with caution and expecting hostility.
“Before shifting, I kept hearing the usual: ‘Bengaluru traffic will drive you mad,’ ‘Autos and cab guys are a nightmare,’ and ‘Locals don’t like outsiders, especially if you don’t speak Kannada,'” the post read.
But his experience turned out to be strikingly different: “Whether I’ve driven my own car or taken autos and cabs, I’ve barely faced any issues. People have been respectful, fair, and often more helpful than I expected.”
The user credited much of his smooth transition to his effort to learn basic Kannada. “Even when I mess it up, people appreciate it. They smile, they help, and they correct me kindly. It made me feel included, not alien,” he said.
“This city feels like it mirrors what you bring to it. I never acted like a tourist or outsider I just tried to belong, and Bengaluru met me halfway,” he added.
He concluded the post with a question: “Is it possible that the city treats you how you treat the city?”
the entire post here:
In the comments section, several users agreed that Bengaluru’s reputation for hostility toward outsiders is largely exaggerated.
“Even I have not faced major issues to be honest. Yes, traffic is there. But can you tell me a metropolitan or tech city where there is no traffic,” a user asked.
Another shared a practical example, saying, “Even with recent cash-only rules for Uber autos, if you tell the driver ‘Anna I’ll pay Rs 10 more than what Uber shows,’ they happily oblige.”
Others added that stories of animosity are often the result of isolated incidents involving a small minority: “The hostility part is blown out of proportion. Most people here are well-natured and treat everyone well.”