We’ve moved — to a small, charming town called Auroville, just outside Pondicherry in Tamil Nadu.
I’m pausing our regular food and recipe posts to share this big life change. Moving from Bangalore to Auroville has been a decision we’ve talked about for a long time, and now it’s real.
The idea began one frustrating afternoon in May, when both Denver and I were tired of long commutes and city stress. We found ourselves thinking about a simpler life, and surprisingly, we were both on the same page. That initial conversation continued over the next few days and gradually became a plan. After visiting a few places, we focused on Auroville.
I knew my work could be done from anywhere, and my one non-negotiable was to be near a beach. Denver, who’s an engineer and loves hands-on projects, wanted a place with opportunities to build and tinker. Auroville fit both of those needs: it’s quiet, not crowded, with the beach about ten minutes from our new home, and there are plenty of community projects around.
We started making weekend trips to Auroville — many of you following our Instagram will have seen bits of it — and eventually found the house we now call home.
It’s been only a few days since we settled in, and we still pinch ourselves. That kitchen you see is ours — open on two sides, airy and full of light. Please forgive the boxes and the little unpacked mess in the photos; we’re still making our way through those. Outside there’s a barbecue pit we’re excited to use soon.
Leaving Bangalore wasn’t an easy choice. We loved the city — our friends, the life we built in our apartment, and the proximity to family. Denver had been with his company for ten years, so there were professional and emotional ties to consider. Yet something about slowing down and creating space for different priorities felt right. We had no major regrets, only small worries — for me, coping with creepy crawlies was a silly but real concern — and otherwise a steady confidence that this was the right move.
Financially, the timing worked out. My blogging income covers our needs, which made it possible for us to take the plunge without undue stress. Denver’s enthusiasm for local projects and my ability to work remotely made Auroville an attractive choice for both of us.
These first days here have been calm and restorative. There’s a different rhythm to life: more time in the day, quieter mornings, and evenings that invite slow conversations. We’ve spent our time unpacking at our own pace, tending to the garden, planting a few saplings and herbs we hope will thrive, and slowly turning this house into a home.
We don’t know yet if this move is permanent. We’ve given ourselves a year to explore and enjoy this new pace, to get involved in community projects, and to see how life unfolds. After that year, we’ll reassess and decide what feels best.
Already, life feels lighter. We’ve been adopted by a few friendly local dogs who wander by, and small everyday pleasures — tea on the porch, listening to the trees, watching birds — have started to fill our time.
It’s quaint, rustic and simple — and for now, it’s ours. We’re enjoying the garden, the open kitchen, the proximity to the beach, and the chance to slow down. Friends and family from Bangalore are already talking about visits, which we’re looking forward to. For anyone curious about our move, we’ll share more of our new routines, recipes suited to this kitchen, and small projects as we settle in.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. If you follow our social updates on Instagram you’ll see more photos and little stories from Auroville as we continue to make this place our home.