"Too North Indian": Ex-old Bengaluru resident calls moving to Bellandur the "biggest mistake ever"

Bengaluru, once the quiet garden city with soothing weather, has transformed into India's tech capital with the constant hustle and bustle of the corporate world, drawing millions from across the country.

This rapid growth has reshaped its neighborhoods, creating pockets of modernity amid traditional vibes. Areas like Bellandur buzz with IT offices, high-rises, and diverse crowds, while older spots like Basavanagudi hold onto local customs, street festivals, and Kannada chatter. For many lifelong residents, this change brings convenience but also a quiet ache for the "simple Bengaluru life."


A viral Reddit post has brought this feeling into the limelight, which explains this tension perfectly.

The viral Bengaluru resident's story on Reddit

A Bengaluru local, originally from near Basavanagudi, moved to Bellandur five years ago after buying an apartment there. He now calls it "the biggest mistake ever," mainly due to a profound lack of "connection and belonging." The resident, a Kannadiga, misses the traditional neighborhood feel he grew up with.


In his Reddit post titled "Missing Simple Bengaluru life," he shared, "From past 5 years I am living in bellandur area bought an apartment,, for someone who lived most of my life near Basavanagudi, this trade off is not worth it, only positive thing is travel time to office but when weekend arrives it feels like I am living in another state, that sense of belonging does not exist, frankly feel that buying an apartment here is the biggest mistake ever, never seen a single local festival celebration, it's too north indian for me(sic)." She shared this post on a subreddit named r/Bengaluru.

Cultural disconnect in tech hubs

The resident feels Bellandur lacks the vibrant local festivals and Kannada-speaking social life of older areas. He described the social scene as one that "su**s" and advised fellow Kannadigas, "don't move to such areas, better to live in good old Bengaluru areas and compromise on travel", noting the area's "noticeable cultural shift" away from traditional roots.

While commute savings are a plus, weekends bring monotony and loneliness, making it feel like "another state."

Social media reactions pour in

The post quickly went viral, igniting discussions on Bengaluru's changing identity. One commenter suggested, "Maybe you can spend your weekends back in Gandhi Bazaar, Bugal Rock, etc., which will at least feel like living," understanding the travel-social life tug-of-war.

Another shared a similar story, "The same for me, I grew up in Malleshwaram and then Kengeri, now near Agara lake, I really miss speaking in Kannada."