soon to be India expat

richwar

Just wanted to introduce myself.Happy to find that this website exists,as i have many questions and much to learn.
My partner and i will be moving to Delhi for at least 2 years on a job transfer come July 1st but we will go to Delhi mid May to find a place to live.His job is in Lodi Estate in South Delhi.Does anyone out there know what neighbourhood is close to there?
also does anyone know of good real estate agent to use who will not mess me around?
appreciate any and all help

zzzehar

Welcome Aboard !
I don't have much Info on Delhi but I am sure someone will hop in to assist you. Have Fun.

richwar

Thanks for that.At 122 hits and 1 response,i did look elsewhere on this sight and came up with some very usefull info.Iappreciate the welcome

zzzehar

I am sure you will find loads of Info in the forums if you spare some time to search.

cfhi

arrr~~~welcome to delhi. i spend about 2 months in singapore and then one more month in south delhi getting a place to stay when i got wind of my job posting. do let me know if u meet any troubles getting a place to stay and getting around delhi, i am pretty good around south delhi now. especially for expat.

richwar

I was in Singapore about 10 years ago.Loved it.Great 24 hour outdoor food market.I am going to Delhi mid May and am looking at neibhbourhoods around Polish Embassy in Chenakyapuri.Will try and set up real estate person before going but still working on that one.I see that Jor Bagh looks like a nice area,but don't know of availability or what to expect.Not much information or pictures etc...in any papers on on net.Still lots to learn and am happy that this vast knowledge base exists.Any info welcomed.

cfhi

sir , info are everywhere heh heh , maybe you could start with how much you are looking at spending for your apartments and i can help you out, i have visited at least 20 apartments before i settle for the one i want, and engage at least 5 agents to run ard for me heh heh , do let me know if u run into any trouble here, South Delhi is relatively easy to get ard.~

richwar

I would be looking at places priced anywhere around 1,1.5 lakhs.preferably 3 bedrooms and yard space.Air conditioned,unfurnished,electr icity back-up and good water supply.I am taking 2 cats with me,so place must allow cats.(hoping this is not a problem)

cfhi

1-1.5 lac u will have people grovelling at ur feet, not to worry, i know a lot of expat friends here who are also staying in similar apartments costing them 1 lakh each, do let me know when u fly here, i pm u my contact number, call me if u need help.

vinayverma

for this price the places you can look at are Jorbagh, Golf Link, Nizzamudin, and Sunder Nagar. All these places are centrally located and close to everything you'll need.
If you wish to stay in/near to dimplomatic enclave then you can look at area around Malcha marg, in Chankyapuri.
You office in India would be able to help you with the estate agents to contact or you can pick-up any of the two leading dailies- Times of India or Hindustan Times, saturday edition. They both carry a exclusive section on properties for buy and rent. It has loads of inserts from leading estate agents specialising in housing for expats.

__________________
If Life is a journey....travel on...and on..on..on.....

richwar

Thank you so much for that vinayverma.Very good info.We are Canadian citizens living in U.S for last five years.Now going to be in Delhi for at least 2-3 years.I understand that buying property is not an option,as we are not Indian.Is this correct,or do you know if there are any loopholes or if laws have changed? Appreciate any info on this.

cfhi

yes u r right, u cant buy, unless u buy it through the company. But the property will be udner Company's name.

I dun think there is any loophole regarding properties.

vinayverma

Yes cfhi is right. You can buy in the name of the company for that you need to have a company. I don't think you can register a company in India if you are not a resident, at least one director has to be resident/citizen of India.
So you may register a company in US or canada and then open a liason/branch/subsidary in India and through this entity in India you could buy a property. But I must remind you that the property prices in India especially in big cities like Delhi are much higher than many cities in US/Canada. So it may not be a great investment keeping in view the process you'll have to go through to buy one.

Hippie at Heart

only foreign companies can buy property and land in india and therein too agriculture land is just out of question. company lease is a best option you have, most real estate agents here work on both side commission basis, so have whole deal discussed before hand. I think a 'broom clean' estate with no lock-in period shd suit you best since your stay is not very long in here, should you need any legal assistence you can P.M me.

cfhi

yah Vinay is right, crazy ridiculous property prices are so high~! heh heh I was so surprise when i am trying to rent a building with build up area of about 15000 sqft and the market price is about Rs100 per sqft, for commercial use of course. Gave up on that now. Concentrating on other things now heehee