Moving to Chennai, looking for apartment, friends, housemates....

purl · Jun 13th, 2008, 01:33

Hello there,

I am moving to Chennai in the next couple of weeks and would appreciate all assistance IM can provide. I am Indian and have spent most of my professional and college life so far in Singapore and the US and am moving here for work now.

This is quite a different experience for me and I am looking to meet with as many friends, expat or local, as soon as possible

For starters, I have been browsing for apartments and it seems like the studio apartment concept has not really caught on in Chennai so far.

I am now looking to rent a 2 BR furnished apartment with basic features like high speed internet, uninterrupted power supply, water and 24 hour security. Other condominium facilities would be a plus.

Since I will be working in Alwarpet, what would be good neighborhoods for such apartments (Besant Nagar, Adyar, ECR?). I dont mind commuting a little bit (20-30 minutes) for a good neighborhood to live in.

I do not really need another bedroom, so looking for a housemate or looking for somebody who is looking for a housemate for similar apartments / houses.

What would a reasonable rental range be for such 2BR apartments?

This basic necessity aside, it will be great to meet up people and also sample the nightlife / social scene Chennai has to offer.

Please keep your thoughts and advice coming.

Thanks!

Nick-H · Jun 13th, 2008, 01:43

Another one! Everybody's heading for Chennai these days!

Welcome to IndiaMike.com

You could probably live within walking distance of your work.

It seems rents have gone up a lot since I used to pay 6,000 for a 2-bed place near to there; you'll need to check the newspapers for curent rates.

purl · Jun 13th, 2008, 13:37

Thanks Nick for the response.

Was not aware there was such a rush to come to Chennai! Surely a factor in rising rentals.

I will have a couple of weeks in my company accommodation to house hunt. My budget will be in the INR 25000 - 35000 monthly range. What could I reasonably expect to get in south Chennai at this price?

A good, modern "western style" neighborhood is probably more important to me than to be very near the workplace. Will probably get a car in a month or two and 20-30 mns drive is just fine.

People have recommended looking at Adyar, Besant Nagar, MRC Nagar as decent options. Suspect Nungambakkam and Boat Club will be too pricey for my budget.

Also, is there any forum where people can connect to potential housemates? 2 BR seems a bit of a waste...

machadinha · Jun 13th, 2008, 14:53

I guess you may also want to keep an eye on this thread (scroll to the end of it): Chennai Meetups

Nick-H · Jun 13th, 2008, 16:04

You will easily get a place for that money, and you can find beautiful leafy roads in Alwarpet/Abhiramapuram.

ISN · Jun 13th, 2008, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by purl

Thanks Nick for the response.

Was not aware there was such a rush to come to Chennai! Surely a factor in rising rentals.

I will have a couple of weeks in my company accommodation to house hunt. My budget will be in the INR 25000 - 35000 monthly range. What could I reasonably expect to get in south Chennai at this price?

A good, modern "western style" neighborhood is probably more important to me than to be very near the workplace. Will probably get a car in a month or two and 20-30 mns drive is just fine.

People have recommended looking at Adyar, Besant Nagar, MRC Nagar as decent options. Suspect Nungambakkam and Boat Club will be too pricey for my budget.

Also, is there any forum where people can connect to potential housemates? 2 BR seems a bit of a waste...

Checkout this link to get an estimate of rent in Chennai India real estate portal

Radjesh · Jun 14th, 2008, 20:10

Well uninterrupted power supply is still not a reality in India... But for your budget you can get accomomdations at an excellent area and you'll have more or less uninterrupted power supply

purl · Jun 14th, 2008, 22:40

Thanks ISN!

Have a fair idea now, although online rates may represent a markup to actual broker rates, or may be not.

Will also get hold of some brokers when I come down there.

There seems to be a preposterous 10 month advance requirement in most quotes, any way of getting around that?

ISN · Jun 14th, 2008, 23:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by purl

Thanks ISN!

Have a fair idea now, although online rates may represent a markup to actual broker rates, or may be not.

Will also get hold of some brokers when I come down there.

There seems to be a preposterous 10 month advance requirement in most quotes, any way of getting around that?

There is no way you can get around the 10 month advance, make sure you get everything in writing when you pay an advance so that you can get back your money when you vacate the place. Brokers will make your life misirable, If I where you I will start the process myself. Buy all the local news papers and search for rental properties and if you are lucky you might end up dealing directly with the owner, if you contact a broker make sure you speak to the owner before you sign a contract. Attend the next Chennai meet up and you can learn form others experience.

purl · Jun 15th, 2008, 12:32

Yes, will get as much in writing as I can.

As for meetups, I intend to fly in on the 23rd.

Nothing planned on the meetups thread for the coming weekend there. Keeping one eye on that thread!

purl · Jun 16th, 2008, 20:09

does anyone have recommendations on good brokers on the ground in chennai?

Look forward to meeting some of you at the potential meetup on the 27th!

mirjamd · Jun 17th, 2008, 14:46

I wouldn't recommend living in Besant Nagar or ECR, that will be very annoying commute every day. It's better to look in Alwarpet itself. Other good areas are Royapettah, T. Nagar, Thousand lights and Teynampet for example. Check the newspapers for brokers. See if there are any apartments you like, and then call the agent. He will also be able to show you other apartments.

Good luck, and hope to see you at the meetup!

jimbo · Jun 23rd, 2008, 00:51

You should try looking in St. Mary road. its kinda nice. one of the better street in alwarpet. Kotturpuram might be nice too. but traffic is a pain in the neck in the morning and evening over that bridge.

Nick-H · Jun 23rd, 2008, 01:15

It's more Abhiramapuram than Alwarpet, and it is a very nice area, yes. The Abhiramapuram streets to the North of St Mary Road is the area I yearn after (used to rent there).

But St Mary Road itself is a busy road, bus routes and all, also much given to appartment blocks. Find a nice side street!

jimbo · Jun 23rd, 2008, 01:23

True,certainly busier, but then everywhere its getting crazy busy. I cant believe the traffic.. am back in chens after a decade and the traffic is just nuts.

Alwarpet>abhiramipuram... where does alwarpet end and abhiramipuram begin?

Jun 13th, 2008, 01:33	#1
purl Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 13	Moving to Chennai, looking for apartment, friends, housemates.... Hello there, I am moving to Chennai in the next couple of weeks and would appreciate all assistance IM can provide. I am Indian and have spent most of my professional and college life so far in Singapore and the US and am moving here for work now. This is quite a different experience for me and I am looking to meet with as many friends, expat or local, as soon as possible For starters, I have been browsing for apartments and it seems like the studio apartment concept has not really caught on in Chennai so far. I am now looking to rent a 2 BR furnished apartment with basic features like high speed internet, uninterrupted power supply, water and 24 hour security. Other condominium facilities would be a plus. Since I will be working in Alwarpet, what would be good neighborhoods for such apartments (Besant Nagar, Adyar, ECR?). I dont mind commuting a little bit (20-30 minutes) for a good neighborhood to live in. I do not really need another bedroom, so looking for a housemate or looking for somebody who is looking for a housemate for similar apartments / houses. What would a reasonable rental range be for such 2BR apartments? This basic necessity aside, it will be great to meet up people and also sample the nightlife / social scene Chennai has to offer. Please keep your thoughts and advice coming. Thanks!

Jun 13th, 2008, 01:43	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,900	Another one! Everybody's heading for Chennai these days! Welcome to IndiaMike.com You could probably live within walking distance of your work. It seems rents have gone up a lot since I used to pay 6,000 for a 2-bed place near to there; you'll need to check the newspapers for curent rates. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Jun 13th, 2008, 14:53	#4
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,581	I guess you may also want to keep an eye on this thread (scroll to the end of it): Chennai Meetups __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

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Jun 13th, 2008, 13:37	#3
purl Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 13	Thanks Nick for the response. Was not aware there was such a rush to come to Chennai! Surely a factor in rising rentals. I will have a couple of weeks in my company accommodation to house hunt. My budget will be in the INR 25000 - 35000 monthly range. What could I reasonably expect to get in south Chennai at this price? A good, modern "western style" neighborhood is probably more important to me than to be very near the workplace. Will probably get a car in a month or two and 20-30 mns drive is just fine. People have recommended looking at Adyar, Besant Nagar, MRC Nagar as decent options. Suspect Nungambakkam and Boat Club will be too pricey for my budget. Also, is there any forum where people can connect to potential housemates? 2 BR seems a bit of a waste...

Jun 13th, 2008, 16:04	#5
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,900	You will easily get a place for that money, and you can find beautiful leafy roads in Alwarpet/Abhiramapuram.

Jun 14th, 2008, 20:10	#7
Radjesh Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 684	Well uninterrupted power supply is still not a reality in India... But for your budget you can get accomomdations at an excellent area and you'll have more or less uninterrupted power supply

Jun 14th, 2008, 22:40	#8
purl Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 13	Thanks ISN! Have a fair idea now, although online rates may represent a markup to actual broker rates, or may be not. Will also get hold of some brokers when I come down there. There seems to be a preposterous 10 month advance requirement in most quotes, any way of getting around that?

Jun 15th, 2008, 12:32	#10
purl Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 13	Yes, will get as much in writing as I can. As for meetups, I intend to fly in on the 23rd. Nothing planned on the meetups thread for the coming weekend there. Keeping one eye on that thread!

Jun 16th, 2008, 20:09	#11
purl Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 13	does anyone have recommendations on good brokers on the ground in chennai? Look forward to meeting some of you at the potential meetup on the 27th!

Jun 17th, 2008, 14:46	#12
mirjamd Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 321	I wouldn't recommend living in Besant Nagar or ECR, that will be very annoying commute every day. It's better to look in Alwarpet itself. Other good areas are Royapettah, T. Nagar, Thousand lights and Teynampet for example. Check the newspapers for brokers. See if there are any apartments you like, and then call the agent. He will also be able to show you other apartments. Good luck, and hope to see you at the meetup!

Jun 23rd, 2008, 00:51	#13
jimbo Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 22	You should try looking in St. Mary road. its kinda nice. one of the better street in alwarpet. Kotturpuram might be nice too. but traffic is a pain in the neck in the morning and evening over that bridge.

Jun 23rd, 2008, 01:15	#14
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,900	It's more Abhiramapuram than Alwarpet, and it is a very nice area, yes. The Abhiramapuram streets to the North of St Mary Road is the area I yearn after (used to rent there). But St Mary Road itself is a busy road, bus routes and all, also much given to appartment blocks. Find a nice side street!

Jun 23rd, 2008, 01:23	#15
jimbo Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 22	True,certainly busier, but then everywhere its getting crazy busy. I cant believe the traffic.. am back in chens after a decade and the traffic is just nuts. Alwarpet>abhiramipuram... where does alwarpet end and abhiramipuram begin?

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