6 month stay in Patnem Beach

AandO

Hi,

I am planning on spending 6 months (on tourist visa) in Patnem Beach with my husband and 3 year old son and had a few questions that I would appreciate any answers to.

I am trying to decide whether to go from Early October to end of March or from early November to end of April. I think that perhaps it would be better to go in early October as we would have more choice with apartment rental as it would be quite quiet at this time I believe and also the weather will not be too hot for the time we are there, whereas it would be getting very hot in April. Is this the case do you think? Which dates do you think would be better?

We plan to rent a two bed apartment/house for the duration of our time there. My questions on this are:
Are there many in Patnem?
Can we rent for about 12,000 inr a month?
How much rent is required up front as a deposit normally?
Do you get a formal written contract normally or is it just verbal?
Are utilities included in the rent?
Are apartments furnished?
How do we find apartments, just ask around when we get there?
How quickly after finding an apartment can you usually move in?
We will arrange hotel type accomodation for the first two or three nights and hopefully by then have found an apartment. Is this realistic?

We are going to Patnem beach because there is a kindergarten there, the Vrindavan Kindergarten. Has anyone heard anything about this kindergarten?

Thanks a million for your time. I only realised how many questions I have when I started to type them!!

Thanks again,

Abi

raikva

Hi Abi
Yes just go and ask around, but it might take more than 2 or 3 days! - maybe stay at Seaview hotel while you look. They might also know about apartments, but they are a bit grumpy. The nicest flats are in the old soda factory just up the road to Chaudi imo.
As you say if you go in October you get the best selection, but not everything is up and running then and it can be wet; April is too hot (for me at any rate). 12000 sounds possible but maybe low for a nice apartment. Some are fully furnished, some not. 'Utilities' are included - but maybe not pots and pans etc. Written contract really really unlikely.
Not sure about kindergartens - there have been various attempts over the years and there are lots of mums with kids around during the season so maybe.
Best of luck and say hi to Bob in the chai shop.

raikva

ananda2193

They closed the soda factory? And then turned it into apartments? I used to buy cases of soda at 1 1/2 inr. a bottle there. From what I hear and see on the net, it looks like Patnem will be just like Palolem veeery soon. What a shame.
But I'm happy for the locals, if their the ones reaping the profits.

And agree that it would be better in October to go as you'll have a better chance of getting something and possibly a better deal then. But I don't agree with asking the Seaview for help. There a strange family and would probably get a cut. Ask a woman named Argentina who lives across the street from the Seaview for help. She's a nice lady who should know something. She even rents her house, though it might be too basic for you, and the toilet was outside last time I was there.

__________________
As we must account for every idle word, so must we account for every idle silence.
Benjamin Franklin

AandO

Thanks!

I think that going out in Oct sounds the best idea. We don't mind it being quiet or the rain, but would be concerned about the level of heat in April with a four year old, so we're probably better visiting from Oct to March.

Thanks for the info about contracts - that's really valuable knowledge to have.

gooner1

With reference to utilities, I've never stayed in an flat/apartment where they were included. always paid seperately for electricity and replacement gas bottles; check the levels when you arrive. Satellite/cable TV is another extra per month. Although these are extra charges, they are minimal.

angus22

Very few modern apartments in Patnem/Palolem, Jairam at the Sealand restaurant has a two bedroom house just off the beach but I doubt you would get it for 12000 a month, 15000 perhaps.
The apartments at the old Soda factory would be considerably more and it's usually the same people who come back year after year anyway.

The many houses that are for rent in the area are quite basic and most are a fair bit away from the beach. You should be able to run something down in this 12000 price range but don't expect a palace. basically built, with the minimum of furniture/facilities.

You could also enquire at Sanjay,s shop in Palolem he also rents out a couple of apartement on Palolem Hill, or ask at the Sun 'n' Moon internet cafe ask for Raj, who also rents out a place on Palolem Hill.

AandO

Thanks guys.

So, No written contracts.
Some apartments include utilities others don't.
12,000 is too little, 15,000 is more realistic, but will still only get something basic.
Seaview has strange owners.

That two bed near the beach sounds good. Anybody else have any experiences of Sealand?

When you say that the cheaper apartments are quite a way from the beach, does that mean a 10 min walk or like a half an hour walk? 10 mins would be totally fine, we never expected anywhere on the beach...though obviously that would be amazing

Does anyone know anything about the deposit required? One months rent, two months rent?

angus22

The owner of the Seaview is a bit gruff, but it's not hard to get beyond that.

The apartments on Palolem Hill are a good 20-25 minutes from the beach but you'll be living in a very Indian atmosphere, far removed from the beach scene

A word on Basic, most of the houses for rent are typically Goan, with a space between the wall and roof. this is ideal for the climate as it allows outside air to circulate, howeve it also invites the local wildlife, rats, insects, spiders and the like. This is life in Goa, but something you would have to get used to as a tourist.

The newer concrete sealed houses avoid this but come with their own set of problems. They are quite uncomfortable in the hot season, as the fan does little more than move around the hot air.
A/c helps but A/c apartment are even scarcer than modern apartments I'm afraid.

James1985

I heard from people who were renting houses in the Palolem/Patnem area was that they were more expensive and less value for money than further up goa.

AandO

Thanks for that Angus. That's really useful to know.

I am not squeamish at all but are there not food and health implications if rats come in? Also, I assume that there are many poisonous spiders in Goa. But, yes fresh air blowing through the rooms seems like a good idea, and I know apartments with ac would be v. expensive, too expensive for us by far I imagine. It would be good to have somewhere cool to come home to, particularly with a small child during the heat of the day, so these local houses would definately be worth a look. Oh and another thing, how big is the gap, in terms of people getting in and safety?

We selected to go to Patnem as there is a kindergarten there, also it is close to Palolem which seems to have alot of facilities, for times when we fancy an americano etc .

I spoke with the kindergarten today. The woman sounded lovely and very welcoming. She said it is located behind Home. So we will probably stay there when we arrive first. Is Home anywhere near to Sealand?

Vidhi

Hi Abi,

Had been to the Kindergarten today to check as I have a 2 yr old son. Its run by 4 females:Shubhangi, Resha, Elisa and Tanja. They are closed as of now only to re-open in Sept 2010. They have made it very nice n very interactive. They have gardening, craft, cooking n lots of other activities for children. They normally speak to them in English n Konkani(local language) for them to be able to converse with the localites(if required or if necessary) as it always helps if one knows the local language.
I found the place quite impressive compared to other local kindergartens that I visited some time back.
And about rental apartments, so I dont have much info off hand but can find out as I have friends here who give their apts on rent.
And April is definately tooooo hot, even May for that matter is unbearable. Badly need some heavy showers.

anyway u take care..
c ya
Vidhi

Vidhi

Hey
forgot to mention, 'Vrindhavan Kindergarten' is also on facebook..they have uploaded some lovely pics..check them out..

Good luck..
c ya

AandO

Thanks a million Vidhi.

It's good to hear a positive review of the kindergarten. As I mentioned above the main reason we chose Patnem is so that our 4 year son can go to playschool, so that he has fun, and we get downtime . So it's great to get hear good things about it.

I tried to look them up on facebook just a minute ago, but it didn't seem to recognise the name. I have tried several times now as I had heard that they facebook page, but it has never worked. I would be really grateful if you could put a link to their facebook page. It would be good to see some pictures, to help with our expectations.

Any info or contacts with regards to rentals would be fab.

Thanks for replying to the thread

ananda2193

AandO

Oops, sorry, found it on facebook. The photos are lovely! It looks great. Thanks a million!