house or apartment (Chennai)?

jimara · Mar 22nd, 2007, 22:21

For the last 8 years, we lived in condominiums (as expat) with facilities like pool, tenniscourts, playground. I always liked it, because it makes it so easy to make contacts with other expats or locales living next to you.
In june we move to Chennai. As what I figured out on the internet, there is limited choice of condominium style accomidation, or it is very expensive. Correct or not? Should we go for a house this time? I have a 2 year old child, it feels so lonely with her alone in a house and I don't think public playgrounds are common in India!
So my question is: are there any condominiums in Chennai?? Don't know our housing budget yet, but is usely not so bad.
If someone can maybe give me the usual expat living area, then I can start looking on the net a bit more detailed.

Thanks,
Jimara

Nick-H · Mar 22nd, 2007, 22:50

I don't really know about 'usual ex-pat' areas, as I only know one ex-pat family here. But I would say that those houses with swimming pools and a sea view down what is called the East Coast Road would be a fair bet.

There are apartment blocks that offer the sort of facilities that you are asking about; but my experience of them goes only as far as the "glossy" ads the developers put in the papers --- how all that exclusive luxury turns out in practice I have no idea!

If you are employed by a US or European company, I would think you will be able to have a very nice life indeed here in Chennai. I would guess (I haven't been there) that the cost of living is lower than Singapore.

If this is all employer paid, you might look at the services of a company called Global Adjustments. They will find you a house/flat to rent, and even someone to move your furniture if you want. They offer a pretty full service, but it does not come cheap!

Your partner will be working here? Where is his office?

ISN · Mar 22nd, 2007, 23:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimara

For the last 8 years, we lived in condominiums (as expat) with facilities like pool, tenniscourts, playground. I always liked it, because it makes it so easy to make contacts with other expats or locales living next to you.
In june we move to Chennai. As what I figured out on the internet, there is limited choice of condominium style accomidation, or it is very expensive. Correct or not? Should we go for a house this time? I have a 2 year old child, it feels so lonely with her alone in a house and I don't think public playgrounds are common in India!
So my question is: are there any condominiums in Chennai?? Don't know our housing budget yet, but is usely not so bad.
If someone can maybe give me the usual expat living area, then I can start looking on the net a bit more detailed.

Thanks,
Jimara

You can use the following link to do research on Chennai rental. http://www.indianstudentsnetwork.com...hread.php?t=53

gertie · Mar 23rd, 2007, 00:17

Hi Jimara,

I am an expat here in Chennai. I chose to live in an apartment in Alwarpet. My company used the services of Global Adjustments, and I looked at over 25 places through them, a mixture of beach house type on the ECR, apartments in huge complexes with pools, gyms etc, and some apartments in smaller blocks.

Getting back to your questions now!
The houses on ECR, although some were lovely, were too isolated for me, from both a security and convenience perspective. If you are worried about feeling lonely, I would not recommend these for you.
I didn't want to live in a large complex, so I chose to live in a small block and I am very happy here.
Contrary to what you found on the internet, there a quite a few apartment complexes with pools, playgrounds etc available. They can be expensive, though, as you mentioned. Might be best to find out your budget asap.
Besant Nagar might be a good location for you - its by the beach, has a large park (Theosophical Society gardens) for your daughter to play nearby, and is reasonably central.

By the way, my experience with GA was less than great. They ignored my brief, hadn't even viewed places they showed us to see if they were suitable, and their prices were inflated well above market price. We eventually rented our apartment through Indiahomes, who were, and remain, fantastic.

Hope this is of some help - stressful moving countries, isn't it?!

Gertie

jimara · Mar 23rd, 2007, 13:50

Hi there,

it is indeed difficult to start looking for housing if we don't know the budget! Problem is: the compagnie also don't know it yet I think. They are setting up a new branche in Chennai, we are the first family to move to Chennai. They have some people in Delhi, but I think they will look into the rent prices here first and then see on what level we fit.But as I mentioned,housing is normally not that bad.
They said they are looking for optional housing already, and then they will decide where to open the new office! Isn't that fantastic! Would be great of my husband can just 'walk' to his office. By the way, he hates traffic jam!

It is nice to hear there are other options then the usual house with pool. I will check out the relocation agents mentioned above. Although I guess the compagnie is having his own agent looking into it already (that is what they are telling us).

My husband is flying to India mid april.Besides working, he is hoping to find a house/appartment in those 10 days he is there. If necessary,I will fly to Chennai also to help looking. But I will have to bring my 2 year old daughter with me, so I actually don't think that is a good idea. Is food in hotels reliable for her? No point in going there, and having a sick child. I surely hope my husband can decide for himself...

Yeh, moving is pretty stressfull, and this is the first time with a child. We can't leave with the suitcases only anymore (that is how it was before).

icetea · Mar 23rd, 2007, 14:04

Nick, I saw one of those condominiums (love this name, now that I've found it) advertised in the glossy paper ads (we visited someone)...and my jaw dropped at sight of the "hidden" treasures of this country.

I was wondering why those friends kept insisting that we visit their place, but I understood why the moment we stepped into the compound.

Nick-H · Mar 23rd, 2007, 14:18

Gertie, you mentioned you were happy with the services of IndiaHomes... do they have a web presence?

You are welcome to give their address here as a resource for others. We do not accept advertising from such companies, but a recommendation is a different thing altogether

gertie · Mar 23rd, 2007, 15:09

Ten days should be plenty of time to find an apartment, Jimara, as long as you are well organised before hand - brief your agent fully so you don't waste time looking at unsuitable properties.

Hotel food shouldn't cause your daughter problems. Think about joining your husband on his visit - you will have at least an idea of what to expect when you return. It might also help you to establish what is and isn't available, so you can plan what you need to bring with you more accurately.

Nick, I haven't been able to find a website for Indiahomes.
Jimara, if you'd like their telephone number, please pm me and I will happily reply.

Good luck with it all, and don't hesitate to ask for advice here. I did, when I moved to Chennai, and Indiamikers were extremely helpful.

Gertie

jimara · Mar 23rd, 2007, 19:53

Gertie,you mention that there are "quite a few apartment complexes with pools, playgrounds etc available". Could you advise on a price range for this, say in the Besant Nagar area or somewhere around? Thanks

ISN · Mar 23rd, 2007, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimara

They are setting up a new branche in Chennai, we are the first family to move to Chennai.

What type of Industry your husband works for?

jimara · Mar 23rd, 2007, 22:29

He works for a Dredging company.

ISN · Mar 23rd, 2007, 22:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimara

He works for a Dredging company.

Cool, IT is not the only industry that is attracting foreigners to India.

Mar 22nd, 2007, 22:21	#1
jimara Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: singapore Posts: 23	house or apartment (Chennai)? For the last 8 years, we lived in condominiums (as expat) with facilities like pool, tenniscourts, playground. I always liked it, because it makes it so easy to make contacts with other expats or locales living next to you. In june we move to Chennai. As what I figured out on the internet, there is limited choice of condominium style accomidation, or it is very expensive. Correct or not? Should we go for a house this time? I have a 2 year old child, it feels so lonely with her alone in a house and I don't think public playgrounds are common in India! So my question is: are there any condominiums in Chennai?? Don't know our housing budget yet, but is usely not so bad. If someone can maybe give me the usual expat living area, then I can start looking on the net a bit more detailed. Thanks, Jimara

Mar 22nd, 2007, 22:50	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,789	I don't really know about 'usual ex-pat' areas, as I only know one ex-pat family here. But I would say that those houses with swimming pools and a sea view down what is called the East Coast Road would be a fair bet. There are apartment blocks that offer the sort of facilities that you are asking about; but my experience of them goes only as far as the "glossy" ads the developers put in the papers --- how all that exclusive luxury turns out in practice I have no idea! If you are employed by a US or European company, I would think you will be able to have a very nice life indeed here in Chennai. I would guess (I haven't been there) that the cost of living is lower than Singapore. If this is all employer paid, you might look at the services of a company called Global Adjustments. They will find you a house/flat to rent, and even someone to move your furniture if you want. They offer a pretty full service, but it does not come cheap! Your partner will be working here? Where is his office? __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Mar 23rd, 2007, 00:17	#4
gertie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 156	Hi Jimara, I am an expat here in Chennai. I chose to live in an apartment in Alwarpet. My company used the services of Global Adjustments, and I looked at over 25 places through them, a mixture of beach house type on the ECR, apartments in huge complexes with pools, gyms etc, and some apartments in smaller blocks. Getting back to your questions now! The houses on ECR, although some were lovely, were too isolated for me, from both a security and convenience perspective. If you are worried about feeling lonely, I would not recommend these for you. I didn't want to live in a large complex, so I chose to live in a small block and I am very happy here. Contrary to what you found on the internet, there a quite a few apartment complexes with pools, playgrounds etc available. They can be expensive, though, as you mentioned. Might be best to find out your budget asap. Besant Nagar might be a good location for you - its by the beach, has a large park (Theosophical Society gardens) for your daughter to play nearby, and is reasonably central. By the way, my experience with GA was less than great. They ignored my brief, hadn't even viewed places they showed us to see if they were suitable, and their prices were inflated well above market price. We eventually rented our apartment through Indiahomes, who were, and remain, fantastic. Hope this is of some help - stressful moving countries, isn't it?! Gertie

Mar 23rd, 2007, 13:50	#5
jimara Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: singapore Posts: 23	Hi there, it is indeed difficult to start looking for housing if we don't know the budget! Problem is: the compagnie also don't know it yet I think. They are setting up a new branche in Chennai, we are the first family to move to Chennai. They have some people in Delhi, but I think they will look into the rent prices here first and then see on what level we fit.But as I mentioned,housing is normally not that bad. They said they are looking for optional housing already, and then they will decide where to open the new office! Isn't that fantastic! Would be great of my husband can just 'walk' to his office. By the way, he hates traffic jam! It is nice to hear there are other options then the usual house with pool. I will check out the relocation agents mentioned above. Although I guess the compagnie is having his own agent looking into it already (that is what they are telling us). My husband is flying to India mid april.Besides working, he is hoping to find a house/appartment in those 10 days he is there. If necessary,I will fly to Chennai also to help looking. But I will have to bring my 2 year old daughter with me, so I actually don't think that is a good idea. Is food in hotels reliable for her? No point in going there, and having a sick child. I surely hope my husband can decide for himself... Yeh, moving is pretty stressfull, and this is the first time with a child. We can't leave with the suitcases only anymore (that is how it was before).

Mar 23rd, 2007, 14:04	#6
icetea 'sort of hate India' club member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Chennai, via Romania Posts: 917	Nick, I saw one of those condominiums (love this name, now that I've found it) advertised in the glossy paper ads (we visited someone)...and my jaw dropped at sight of the "hidden" treasures of this country. I was wondering why those friends kept insisting that we visit their place, but I understood why the moment we stepped into the compound.

Mar 23rd, 2007, 14:18	#7
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,789	Gertie, you mentioned you were happy with the services of IndiaHomes... do they have a web presence? You are welcome to give their address here as a resource for others. We do not accept advertising from such companies, but a recommendation is a different thing altogether

Mar 23rd, 2007, 15:09	#8
gertie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 156	Ten days should be plenty of time to find an apartment, Jimara, as long as you are well organised before hand - brief your agent fully so you don't waste time looking at unsuitable properties. Hotel food shouldn't cause your daughter problems. Think about joining your husband on his visit - you will have at least an idea of what to expect when you return. It might also help you to establish what is and isn't available, so you can plan what you need to bring with you more accurately. Nick, I haven't been able to find a website for Indiahomes. Jimara, if you'd like their telephone number, please pm me and I will happily reply. Good luck with it all, and don't hesitate to ask for advice here. I did, when I moved to Chennai, and Indiamikers were extremely helpful. Gertie

Mar 23rd, 2007, 19:53	#9
jimara Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: singapore Posts: 23	Gertie,you mention that there are "quite a few apartment complexes with pools, playgrounds etc available". Could you advise on a price range for this, say in the Besant Nagar area or somewhere around? Thanks

Mar 23rd, 2007, 22:29	#11
jimara Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: singapore Posts: 23	He works for a Dredging company.

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