Moving to Bangalore - crystal downs

phil8210

Hi. I have been reading this website and everyone seems really helpful. I am an IT professional moving from US to Bangalore to work in crystal downs area. Was hoping for recommendations related to housing and an idea of the expense for apartment, car, driver, and the misc. expense incurred (insurance, water, etc.)

Regarding the apartment I am seeking a fairly nice two bedroom. Would prefer something like a high-rise building with a gym, etc. Are there typical buildings like this in the area? Also how far would the housing complexes be from the Crystal downs area, as looking for a relatively light commute.

Thanks you for any and all assistance.

Raghu.Kumar

Hi ,

Crystal Downs is close to EGL ( Embassy Golf Links ) on the Intermediate Ring Road where companies like Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, Dell and IBM are located. Its very close to Koramangla and also Indira Nagar. You can scout for apartments in Koramangla area where there are apartments that would suit your requirement. ( Gym, Play Area etc )

You should be able to get a 2 Bed apt between 15 and 20 K. The care cost would depend on what you want to buy as there are numerous options. There are small cars like the Maruti Zen, Hyundai Santro & I 10, Chevy Spark and Tata Indica. ( 3 to 4.5 Lakhs )

Mid Segment cars like Hyundai I20 & Getz, Maruti Swift, Chevy Yuva ( 4 to 6 Lakhs )

Bigger cars like Maruti Dezire, Hyundai Accent, Honda City, Chevy Optra & Aveo, Tata Indigo ( 6 to 10 Lakhs )

Higher Segment Cars like Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla & Camry, Skoda ( Above 10 lakhs)

SUVs like the Toyota Innova and Mahindra Zylo ( 9 - 11 Lakhs )

Driver should cost you about 7 to 8 K per month.

not sure what do you mean by water expenses ? Which insurance are you referring to ?

Keep your queries coming and we shall assist further.

Raghu

__________________
S.Raghu Kumar
sahana_kumar@yahoo.com

DrHeckleAndMrSnide

I haven't heard of any area called Crystal Downs in Bangalore. There is a building in the Embassy Golf Links Business Park off Intermediate Ring Road in Koramangala that is called Crystal Downs. I think it houses the Goldman Sachs office. Did you mean that?

If you did, then Indiranagar, JeevanBeema Nagar, Diamond District on old Airport Road are your best bet for a nice location within easy commuting distance. Next options are in Domlur and Koramangala.

__________________
If at first you don't succeed, try management

phil8210

Yes the ccrystal downs I am referring to is where the GS office is.

Regarding the above car comments, are those prices for leasing or buying?

Raghu.Kumar

Hi Phil,

The above mentioned prices refer to outright buying. You can go in for a initial downpayment of 10 % of the car value and then take a car loan for a period of 3 years or 5 years as required.

If your company has got a car lease option then its the best way to go about it. The car would be in the company's name and the EMI would be deducted from your Salary. The registration, Life Tax & Insurance Expenses would be to the company's account. On top of it you would gain in terms of tax exemption.

Usually the lease would be for 48 months ( 4 years ) The only catch here is, if you leave the company before end of the lease then you would have to buy the car ar the WDV ( Written Down Value)as determined by the Leasing Company.

Hope this helps.

Raghu

pal77

Hi!

If you have not moved yet, you could look at Shriram Spandhana Apartments which are behind EGL (abt 1.5km). Decent apartments with all amenities, gated community. The trouble here is that a small stretch of road of about half a km, leading to the apartment is really bad. Plus the last one km stretch to apt is not the nicest of neighbourhoods (a bit slummish in nature). But once inside the apts, its really nice. This bad road stretch starts from EGL and continues upto just outside EGL (towards these apartments).

You should be able to find a spacious 3 bedroom with small 100sft terrace fr about 18-19k (ask for including maintenance, coz maintenance wd be abt 4k) This is the going rate for Indians who rent here. U may get it at a slight premium

2BHK cd cost abt 14-15k

If u shd decide to try this one, look at as many diff apts in this complex as possible as each apartment is laid out differently.

There are also the Vaswani Apartments which are even closer than Spandhana. These are literally behind EGL (just abt a few hundered metres away). Good apts but no attached amenities..

Apartments in Koramangala that you cd look at would be Raheja/Mantri but they would be a lot more expensive. A 2BHK here could cost you about 19-25k.

There would be approximately a 10months deposit (which is a norm in Bangalore) which is refundable at the end.

The rates quoted above are for an unfurnished apt. Furnished would ofcourse cost more, depending on the furnishings.

Hope this helps.