Possible Move to Chennai

junkyfungus

Hello good forum people.

I have read through almost every post and there seems to be a bit of variance about cost of living. It is possible that I might take a position with a firm out there. Although I have worked in many nations as an expat it is always good to get feedback from people in that nation now.

So my questions are about taxes and my income. Some sights say I will have to pay Indian taxes, but when I lived outside US for more than 1 year before I had no US taxes to pay. Is this the same in India and what are the Indian taxes I would expect to pay?

Living expenses. If I wanted to live close to beach in a house with pool what would I be expected to pay? How about an apartment? I don't mind living modestly. I do however would require domestic help as I am a single guy who needs it.

How about eating out at moderate to five star?
What would I expect for daily living for moderate to high society?

As a single guy what is the Indian culture for dating like? I have read varying degrees from extreme to extreme. I like women and as such like to date women.

When I last worked in the Caribbean some expenses were paid; Housing, vehicle, return round trips to US 2x a year.

What are the average vacation one should expect?
Is it reasonable to expect round trip US tickets?

I do realize it's a lot to ask of you, but any help would be greatly appreciated. I always like to know what is the norm especially in a culture oriented place like India.

Heck in the US we gave up on caring a long time ago. Call me old fashioned if you must, but I'm still one who likes to care.

Nick-H

Hello junkyfungus. Welcome to IndiaMike.com --- and, possibly to Chennai.

Living expenses do vary enormously, and I can't help a lot, as the kind of life you want to lead here is way, way outside my experience. For instance, they type of house you are looking for will cost you three or four (or more) times my entire monthly budget! let's say minimum 70,000-ish per month, could well be well over 1 Lakh (that's 1,00,000 in Indian numbers: you'll soon get used to it ).

On the other hand, with the exception of that luxury house and pool, everything in chennai is going to seem absurdly cheap to you if you are coming here on an ex-pat salary.

If it is a local salary, then you will have to change your expectations radically --- but (assuming it is a senior, well-paid position, or why would they be bringing someone from abroad) you will certainly be able to manage a comfortable (but perhaps not luxury)life.

Dating... that is a tough one. This is a culture in which people get married. That's a broad statement, and things are changing fast among the young of Chennai. You may find that you are able to date colleagues if you are working in a very progressive industry: but you had better be very sure of each other's expectations and limits or you will soon end up in big trouble.

Men and women just don't casually chat here. As a foreigner you will be able to mostly get away with ignoring this one ---- but just don't try greeting a girl from an orthodox Brahmin familly with a kiss on the cheek!

On an other hand, I'm told there are sections of the Chennai population where sex is pretty free --- but, believe me, you don't want to go there! And anyway, I get the impression that, like me, female conversation and companionship is important to you.

Would suggest that you try to get as much as possible out of the company: car, driver --- even house, if you can! Although there may be tax disincentives for this. Domestic help will be very cheap by non-Indian standards. we have no full-time help, but get our clothes washed every couple of days and our flat cleaned ever couple of days; our bill for that is only in hundreds each month.

You will be able to get full-time domestic help for [I'll ask my wife and fill this in*] and a full-time driver for three or four thousand --- but your difficulty will be language. An English speaking cook who can cook Western dishes would probably command a substantial premium! If you could find one!

Now, knowing Indiamike, it'll be the dating query that really takes off in this thread (we are like that only ) but I hope someone with more practical advise will be along....

*ok, I asked Mrs N, and the answer is --- it isn't that simple, but will depend on the size of the house, how much cooking there is to be done, how many people in family. But as a guide line, minimum 2500, maybe 3,000 or 3,500.

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junkyfungus

Thanks Nick-H for the input

I think I probably could have made myself a bit clearer. If I do take the position, then yes, my salary will have to meet my expectations, and since the company is trying to recuit me I would expect it. As a single guy I am used to living modestly, so paying that much for a house seems frivilous. I was just wondering how much it might cost in hopes it might be ridiculously inexpensive. High hopes...

As far as a chef I consider myself a gourmet so most at home cooking would be done by me, but I do like to eat out often. So from reading Wazen's journal I assume standard fare is quite inexpensive, but how bout if I wanted something really nice? Once in a while I desire steak, lobster and GOOD chinese food.

I would never date anyone who works for me. No No No. Only because as a senior level director that tends to lead to trouble. You're right about companionship and I would love to have it, but that is why I asked. I respect people and would always try and do the right thing. You know: do onto others...

Yeah, I've heard about the sex trade out there, but avoiding STD's like AIDS is a concern as also is the conditions some are forced into. Hey I am human though and sometimes the... ooops nevermind! LOL

As for asking for all the perks I have requested such, or at least an allowance. I have asked for 75K a month for that. Do you think that will suffice to at least live in a modest apartment by the sea? I am certain my salary will cover any incidentals.

Well this is all supposed on whether I take the position, or they accept my proposal. After all it's not everyday a company solicits me with "please send us your terms and conditions" Sheesh--you would think I am good at what I do.

Anyway thanks so far for the input and any more you might provide. Sorry for poor spelling, but late and I'm sleepy.

Nick-H

I wasn't talking about the sex trade --- that is a different matter altogether, and the means by which lorry drivers take AIDS home to their wives . That's a definately, definately don't go there .

Yes, mixing romance and work can be a bad idea. I think you might get some company and social life by joining in some of the ex-pat stuff that happens here, but I don't, so I can't tell you about it. Otherwise you may well be invited to your colleagues' families. As a foreigner, you won't be expected to fall into the role models --- I don't think anyone has ever minded me talking to the wives, autnies, daughters, grannies!

icetea

Just to prove you right, Nick, I'll pick up the dating issue

As Nick says, you must always keep in mind the fact that this is a marriage-oriented society and that whatever dating there might be going on, it's usually progressing towards marriage. Now, as everything else about India, there will be many exceptions. There is a progressive section of the society living according to its own rules; apart from the richer college-going crowd and the BPO crowd, well-paid people in their 30s mostly from IT, media and creative fields, often single or divorced, also have a pretty active evening-life, and dating is not an oddity. (On the other hand, I find it slightly funny to see people who seem to be very modern in their ways and outlook suddenly end up in an arranged marriage, once they get to the danger age, 30.)

I have recently been to one of the famous pubs in Chennai, for the first time, and the crowd (not college age) was very laid-back: western clothes, girls smoking, drinking, couples dating. However, you are required to dress smart, must be accompanied, dancing is not really allowed, and groups didn't really mingle, so it's maybe not kind of place where you go to "hook" someone.

I am not sure if 75K will be enough. I don't know the rental prices by the sea, but I imagine that those are no modest flats. But maybe you can find a smaller flat at 50k, or am I just dreaming? Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Nick-H

Here's a couple of sites to check for rentals. You have to be prepared to pay a hefty deposit, maybe as much as 10 months rent .

99 Acres

Per Square Yard

The luxury places by the sea environment is a bit sterile for my taste ---all high walls and security guards. There are some lovely, fairly central, leafy, green and peaceful areas in Chennai. The sea shore is not necessarily safe in the evening. A sea view is a great thing, but I don't think (if I had all the money in the world) it would necessarily be my priority.

junkyfungus

Thanks guys about dating stuff...

10 months deposit???? That sounds like something the company will have to agree on. I've asked to be put in hotel for first month to check out some locations. That I learned from experiance when I first moved to Dominica in the West Indies. The company had me staying in a very quant apartment (no bigger than my shed) with no running water or electricity. I guess after living is a mansion in Grenada right through Ivan (hurricane) I got spoiled. Go figure.

I'm still unsure about dating office people, but like with anything, if I do actually make it there, I'll take it with a grain of salt.

I'm excited and hope it does pan out. I'll keep reading and keep the forum posted as the outcome.

rangss

Seaside homes...I have had a lifetime of expereience with them. They stink! The walls especially.

Find a home away from the sea. Kalakshetra is a good place in Chennai, not too far away from the sea.

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Nick-H

Let us know where you [possible] work is?

Rangss, I know one expat here who lives in house maybe 1/4 mile from the sea. It doesn't smell. Nor did my mother's Cornwall house (well, it did: of dog ). I think if you are spending 1 Lakh plus a month, you can probably get without smell!

I also looked at a big house, near San Thome, which had a wonderful sea view from the roof. That didn't smell either. Trouble is it was right on top of a large slum area between it and the sea. Mind you, it was affordable, and I still wonder if we should have bought it --- but no garden is what clinched it.

icetea

Isn't the Kalakshetra area flooded during heavy rains..?
We are also searching for a rental down south...that's why I'm asking.

rangss

I have seen heavy rains only once in my lifetime in Chennai. last year.

Pintz

[quote=icetea]Just to prove you right, Nick, I'll pick up the dating issue

On the contrary, to prove you both wrong, I'll enlighten you on the dating scene ...

Move over guys, the times they-are-a-changing... Indian women these days are more open to friendships and dating. Believe me, most women, the progressive kinds, wouldn't really like to get married to the first guy they meet or, let's say, the first firangi they meet. But, junkyfungus, you'll have to play it cool. In the sense that you don't just ask a girl out for a date but make it like a casual offer - probably that might get you someplace. And the best places to find the right kind of companionship is to join a group - not an ex-pat group, but a mixed one. The best bet is of course, a celebration or a party to one of your colleagues place. But don't you worry too much about it - people usually have a way to get what they want.

Nick-H

In Chennai these days whether a place floods can vary street by street.

The one I'm living in now does .

Although this year is was one intense night of rain, which flooded several houses, rather than recurring storms over a period of weeks keeping things topped up.

Last year was exceptional, with 25% more rain than usual and the rains going in into December. I missed most of it but was here for the grand finale cyclone --- quite a night!

On the whole, rain is something we are glad to see here: it means water in the taps next year.

Kalakshetra is a beautiful area. If you live there Rangss --- I'm green with envy

Nick-H

Yep.... I was even reading about school-girl pregnancies in the newspaper the other day.

Mind you, I've a theory that nothing much really changes; it's just that things once hidden become open. They used to lock up unmarried mothers as mentally ill ---- in the UK in the 1950s

On the other hand, a recent survey (if one can believe such things the papers publish) showed that an astonishingly high (to us Westerners) percentage of girls expect (and no doubt are expected) to be virgins until marriage.

This seems to be very much an urban thing. My wife told me a story recently:

An American NRI decided he wanted a traditional indian wife, certainly not a girl that had ever been even touched by a boy, oh no . So, he figured he'd forget about the sophisticated, educated city girls and find himself an illiterate village girl. She'd be pure; she'd be traditional; oh yes.

So he found his village girl; she was pretty, demure, charming, treated him as an old-fashioned Indian wife treats her husband, and they got on very well together.

One day they were talking about childhood games, what different things they had both played at different ages. She got to her early teens; this was the time the girls and boys of the village used to go off into the long grasses together.......

One disillusioned NRI!

Well, quite why I should be posting that story I'm not sure: but it is a nice one, and makes me smile

Anyway, even without modernisation, that strict Indian morality is not nearly so devoid of cracks as the PR would have us believe. Much like 1950s England where, of course, nobody ever had sex unless they were married. Oh no!

But I know from friends and my wife's grown-up children that eg Bangalore is way ahead of Chennai on the dating front, Mumbai is even further into the 21st Century.

Pintz

You're right, Nick.. abt the way attitudes are changing, even if hidden! Girls are as fascinated abt human anatomy as boys are and today, in most cosmopolitan cities, things have really changed.