New here and poised to move to Bangalore

kristalsoldier

Hi Folks...

My wife and I are to move to Bangalore by the beginning of December. I have visited the city a couple of times over the last couple of years, but they were quick in and out trips - all work-related. New job places us in Bangalore and while it is not a happy thing to say, but we know nothing about the city. I did do 3 years of schooling in Bishop Cottons, but that was a long time back.

This brings me to some questions which you folks can help us, maybe?

1) I have been reading a number of site and forums about moving to Bangalore. From these I gather that it is indeed possible to get an unfurnished 2-bedroom apartment for around 15K a month. There are others who say that such expectations are not realistic and that the rent is higher. Since my place of work is very close to the Tata Institute (IISc), which is Malleshwaram, I am guessing that it would make sense to live in that area. So, is a rent of around 15K realistic to expect there? Are there other areas close by with rent at those levels?

2) Another strange thing I have been reading is that I may have to pay a 11-month deposit!!!! 11 months? Come on...this is a joke right? I've lived in London, NYC, Boston, Brussels, Calcutta, Bombay and never have I had to pay that kind of a deposit! So, this is accepted practice? Does this mean that the actual rent that I am paying is rent + interest on deposit + other extra fees as applicable?

3) Traffic in Bombay is not very good. In Calcutta is worse (if you factor in the mob mentality). Never drove in London or Brussels. I believe it is quite bad in Bangalore as well. But bad as in dangerously bad or just chaotic but manageable?

4) While I understand that living standards and definitions of good and not-so-good are specific to individuals, but if I ask you to hazard a guess, what is the median salary to live a relatively comfortable life for a couple of years in Bangalore. By relatively comfortable I mean - after including a rent of 15K per month: maintain a car; eat out perhaps 3-4 times in a month - could be from the best of restaurants to the obscure of places; no kids to send to school; 24/7 broadband and cable TV; mobile phones; access to good libraries/ bookstores; bharatanatyam schools/ performances (for my better-half); and general light social entertainment. I know this is a vague question so please accept my apologies up front.

I am sure I have a load of other questions, but I'll restrict myself to these four for the moment.

BTW, when is the Metro supposed to be operational in Bangalore?

Thanks in advance for your inputs.

Cheers!

suricate

1. 15k for 2BHK may be tough to find in Malleshwaram, but try
anyway. Should be possible in Mathikere/Gokula/New BEL Rd.
Not in Sadashivnagar.

2. Relax! You'll probably need to pay just 10 month's deposit (not 11).
Your lease will be for 11 months at a time, however.
Your understanding of actual rent is correct.

3. The traffic you may find manageable (or not) depending on the
area and the time of the day. You can count on having small hits
and bumps quite frequently!

kristalsoldier

Hi and thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it.

1. About the areas - How much would I be looking at for paying rent in the Malleswaram area...for a 2BHK? I'll look around in the areas you mentioned. Thanks for the leads.

2. Re: The Deposit - Hmmm...strange practice. But hey, if that is the way the dice falls then so be it! But I do hope these landlords don't create problems while returning the deposit!

3. Ok about the traffic. But the 'small hits and bumps' are a scary proposition! I don't like the dents and 'small hits'. Damn! Don't want to hire a driver either. Maybe will just try it out and see how it goes. If it is too bad, then I don't know what to do!

I will be in Bangalore on the 12th to check out some areas and apartments. One thing that I am curious about is whether these apartments are in highrises or in 3 or 4 floor buildings. Also, is security (for the building) a standard feature?

One question about power cuts. Is it a regular feature? If yes, is it like Calcutta (or at least like what the situation was in Calcutta in the late 1980s and early 1990s) - electricity gone for a few hours on a daily basis? Do I need to get an inverter or do buildings come with generators?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Cheers!

EDIT:

One other question: Though I cannot afford it, I am curious to know which are the best areas to live in Bangalore. I mean like every city has its 'best' place - like some areas in the Juhu-Parle area, Peddar Road, Bandra/ Pali Hill area in Bombay; Alipore, New Alipore, Ballegunge area etc. in Calcutta. So, which is the best place or area in Bangalore? And what are the going rents in those areas? Again, this is purely for academic interest. As I said earlier, I certainly can't afford such areas!!!!

suricate

1. Malleshwaram is a large area with all sorts of accomodations,
in a range of prices. For decent places I think your budget will be
near the lower end for a 2BHK. When you're there, just try to find
out about what is available in your budget. You may get some
idea in local classified publications like Ad Mag. If you can find
out about some reliable brokers serving the area, it would help.

2. You do usually get back the deposit in full. I always did.

3. You'll just have to learn to live with small dents and such.
An injury-free car (running for a reasonable length of time on
Bangalore roads) is a rare sight!

Malleshwaram doesn't have really high rises. It will be only
a few floors usually. Yes, security is a standard feature in
apartment buildings. Many will have their own power backups too.

Best (better planned) areas are usually towards the south, like
Jaynagar, Koramangala etc., with a huge spread in the rents.
You'll also find pockets of well-planned (and expensive)
apartment complexes all over town.

kristalsoldier

Cool! Thanks for the 'heads-up'.

In the better locations in Malleshwaram what would a 2BHK apartment rent for? By this I mean to ask, how much more than 15K p.c.m would/could it be?

I am guessing that taking a place in Koramangala and the other names that you mentioned would be too far from the Tata Institute area and that the daily to and from work would become a hassle. Am I right in assuming this?

Bad news about the dents n all. I like my cars to be pristine, but then again, whatever will be will be!

Thanks again for taking the time and the trouble to respond to my incessant questions.

Cheers!

kristalsoldier

I had posted a reply (and a question) but it got sent to the Moderators....I wonder why?

EDIT: So, I'll post again...

(1) How much higher (than 15K) would the rent be in the good (or better) parts of the Malleshwaram area for a 2BHK apartment?

(2) It would not be advisable to live in the areas mentioned by you (Jaynagar, Koramangala etc.) if I am going to be working near the IIsc, would it? How far would it be from those areas to the IISc? Since I will be driving myself, would it eventually become a dreary thing?

Thanks for your patience and willingness to answer my incessant questions. I do appreciate the help and assistance.

Cheers!

Prashant.M

It would be best to stay near your workplace. You rightly guessed that it is a hassle to commute. You would be unnecessarily wasting time and getting stressed out. Ideal would be to stay so close by that you can walk to your office.

__________________
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Manzey

Some parts of Malleshwaram area is very good. You should be able to get a decent two bedroom flat for 15k in my opinion. Talking to some local brokers in that area to find a two bedroom apartment is a good idea (they charge one month commission). Most of the apartments in Malleshwaram are 4-5 stories. Sadashivnagar also known as Palace Orchards, RMV(Raj Mahal Vilas), Dollars colony are some of the best areas (but mostly independent houses) in Bangalore and all these areas are very close to Tata Institute. There are few apartments in these areas aswell and I am sure you could find a good two bedroom flat in these areas if you search little hard. One my friend leaves in Sadashivnagar in an 2bhk apartment and he pays a rent of 13k (maybe he was very lucky) and this apartment is in the best of locality. What I mean to say is if you search little hard, you can find some good places if not in Sadashivnagar.

Your wife might be intrested to know that there is one famouse Bharatanatyam school in Malleshwaram 18th cross.

By the way - Welcome to Bangalore....I am sure you will enjoy it here.

Cheers!

kristalsoldier

Wow! Thanks a ton. I am sure my wife will be thrilled! Also good to know that apartments in the range of 15K may be available in the Malleshwaram area. This has been strongly recommended to me by the work-place that I am to join. They did also mention names like RMV and Dollar Colony (btw, what a name...Dollar Colony!!!!)

I will try and hook up with a couple of recommended brokers and see how it goes and will keep posting on developments here. Maybe I will also make a detailed post on the process of finding a place to stay in Bangalore based on my personal experience. Who knows, it may be of use to someone in the future who may be in the same position as I am today.

Thanks again for your inputs!

kristalsoldier

Hmmm...that seems to be a common refrain in Bangalore. I just wonder that if everybody has this objective then eventually there would probably come a time when no place near any workplace would be available - unless that is already the case. The strange thing is that in Bombay, which is equally a problematic city to find accommodation (unless of course you have tons of money and are willing to spend it), people just say "find a place" and "if you have to travel an hour to get to work and an hour back, then so be it...count yourself lucky!"

Interesting how these things work, isn't it?

Thanks

Prashant.M

Don't have much first hand knowledge about Bombay but it won't be that difficult to find accommodation here in Bangalore. One can invariably find a place according to one's budget near the workplace. For example Indiranagar and Koramangala are posh places but you can find budget accommodation nearby.

kristalsoldier

Sounds encouraging! Thanks. Personally, I would not live in Bombay for, among other things, the very oppressive weather and the general grime. But here is hoping that Bangalore will be different...very different!

Prashant.M

The weather here is pretty good overall. Gets a little hot in the summer but otherwise is very pleasant.

kristalsoldier

Sounds even better! So, no real need for ACs (or maybe just during the summer months)? From what I am reading here and elsewhere, it also appears that Bangalore is a bit boring, which is good thing. Of course, I could be wrong about the boring part since most references to it has been in terms of night life and bars, pubs etc., closing by 11pm (which may have also changed).

One last point: Being non-vegetarians, will it pose a problem while renting apartments? I would hope not!

Thanks

suricate

Being non-vegetarians could be a big problem while searching
for an accomodation in Bangalore. Many Hindus will just refuse,
and you'll very likely miss out on good places.
Christian or Muslim landlords are better in this respect.

I didn't mention RMV and Dollars Colony since I didn't think decent
accomodations would be in your price range. Still, try to find some
reasonable broker (oxymorons?) if you can, and explore each area
thoroughly. The general theme is, in the big name areas it is very
difficult to find acceptable accomodation near the lower end of the
scale. Also, the same place could differ in quoted rent by even
30 - 50%, depending on whom you found it through. Brokers have a
tendency to quote much higher than what the landlord is willing
to accept, since he gets one-month rent as his fee from you. In
such a scenario both the broker and the landlord wins. It's you
who lose. So ideally you should have some local friend with you
who could guide you along. Good luck!