Possibly relocating to Chennai

Portfolio Paul · May 25th, 2008, 19:53

First thread for me on this site - which is REALLY informative! My company (IT software developer) are relocating me (and my wife!) to India. We already work with companies in Hyderabad but are now considering other locations, including Chennai. I've read all the useful info in the various threads and we are both very keen to live in India (we lived in Pakistan for 3 years about 20 years ago so are acquainted with the delights of boiling & filtering water, load-shedding, mozzies etc!). From what I have seen Chennai would seem to be an OK place to live for a few years; I am probably flying in for a visit and to meet with some potential IT partners next month (June 2008) - it would be really useful to have the opportunity to meet with other expats and talk about their experiences of moving to and living in Chennai. Anyone available? We would prefer not to live in a gated compound so anyone who lives in an independent house, bungalow or apartment might be able to persuade me that Chennai is the place to live!

Nick-H · May 25th, 2008, 20:09

Yes, Chennai is a fine place to live, and on a decent ex-pat pay-and-benefits package, it is a very fine place to live!

Gated compounds and apartment buildings with all facilities are certainly available, but can result in a rather isolated life. So could an independent house if it has large grounds and big walls, I guess.

Portfolio Paul · May 25th, 2008, 20:21

Thanks Nick-H. We would prefer not to be surrounded by big walls in large grounds - quite the opposite in fact, although some outside space would be nice!

Nick-H · May 25th, 2008, 21:16

Then depending on the size of that pay package, you should do very nicely here. Chennai has some lovely leafy suburbs, and also areas close to the sea.

ISN · May 28th, 2008, 03:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Portfolio Paul

First thread for me on this site - which is REALLY informative! My company (IT software developer) are relocating me (and my wife!) to India. We already work with companies in Hyderabad but are now considering other locations, including Chennai. I've read all the useful info in the various threads and we are both very keen to live in India (we lived in Pakistan for 3 years about 20 years ago so are acquainted with the delights of boiling & filtering water, load-shedding, mozzies etc!). From what I have seen Chennai would seem to be an OK place to live for a few years; I am probably flying in for a visit and to meet with some potential IT partners next month (June 2008) - it would be really useful to have the opportunity to meet with other expats and talk about their experiences of moving to and living in Chennai. Anyone available? We would prefer not to live in a gated compound so anyone who lives in an independent house, bungalow or apartment might be able to persuade me that Chennai is the place to live!

Welcome, to Indiamike, I am planning to relocate form USA to Chennai, India. I am looking for an IT job in Chennai, India. I have 14 years of IT experience and if your company is looking to hire anyone in Chennai, India please let me know.

Teacher G · Oct 17th, 2008, 01:50

Where are those leafy suburbs? And are they close to the American International School?

Nick-H · Oct 17th, 2008, 07:17

All over Southern Central Chennai!

But I don't know the area of the School.

prasannaj · Oct 17th, 2008, 13:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teacher G

Where are those leafy suburbs? And are they close to the American International School?

American international school is at Taramani Link road and I live close by. It is bang in the middle of "IT Corridor" a.k.a concrete jungle! One leafy area I can think of is kalakshetra colony at Besant Nagar. you also get to be near the beach but it won't qualify for a suburb though!

Teacher G · Oct 17th, 2008, 13:53

Hi Prasannaj and thanks for responding!

I'll look that up on my map.
I certainly hope there is more then one leafy green suburb to where I can make my home. If you think of any more I'd appreciate it if you passed the information on to me.

: )

SAHM · Oct 18th, 2008, 00:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teacher G

Hi Prasannaj and thanks for responding!

I'll look that up on my map.
I certainly hope there is more then one leafy green suburb to where I can make my home. If you think of any more I'd appreciate it if you passed the information on to me.

: )

Kotturpuram is very nice, and leafy. Close to the school. AISC is in the middle of the concrete jungle, but if you head south on ECR, you can get into some nice green spaces. Some of the teachers live there.

SAHM

Teacher G · Oct 19th, 2008, 01:27

Thanks for the tip, I'll look it up on the map. If you come across any other information - I'd love to hear it!

: )

Nick-H · Oct 19th, 2008, 02:54

Kotturpuram is very nice, and parts of it are very posh, but make sure you find out from someone else in the street (not the person who is trying to rent to you!) about whether that road floods or not. Of course, it is not critical if you are not on the ground floor, but you might get trapped indoors for a day or so every year. Which isn't much.

Smaps · Oct 19th, 2008, 11:59

Hi! I'm new here, but came upon this forum and am finding it very informative. Have a few questions about living in Chennai...I'm currently living and working in Bali, Indonesia and will soon be leaving for an internship in Chennai. Internship pays only 10,000 rp/ month, but I've been told that's plenty sufficient for basic dorm living (I have to live at the university) and food expenses, not to mention extra for "savings." Wondering if this money is sufficient enough or I'll be totally strapped for cash all the time? I don't need anything fancy, I can handle the dorm for a few months and don't indulge in anythign luxurious..just wondering what this money will cover.

Also, things to do? Places to go? Expat hang-out groups? I'd love to start one once I arrive!

The more advice, the merrier!

Nick-H · Oct 21st, 2008, 01:54

Hello Smaps, welcome to the site

.

Of course there are people who live on much less --- but it takes local knowledge to live a really local lifestyle, and it might not be how you would want to live anyway.

I'd say that you can live on 300Rs a day, not including accommodation, yes. I wouldn't expect to save much, and I would expect a fairly simple lifestyle. Getting to know the buses would be a great help: many of our Chennai auto-rickshaw drivers are sharks: as a stranger you'll be lucky to get anywhere for less than Rs50, and as a newcomer, make that 100!

If there is some food available at your dorm, included or very cheep, though, it could work out well: stay in one day, spend 600 the next!

Smaps · Oct 23rd, 2008, 21:24

hey nick!

Thanks for the reply. from what it sounds like, I can live at the university for less than 4 bucks a day (including all meals). Not a bad deal! Once it gets closer to my move-in date I'd love to start figuring out where to meet people, hang out, etc. Also trying to figure out Christmas plans...don't suppose there will be other lone expats during this time?

May 25th, 2008, 19:53	#1
Portfolio Paul Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Gosport, England Posts: 4	Possibly relocating to Chennai First thread for me on this site - which is REALLY informative! My company (IT software developer) are relocating me (and my wife!) to India. We already work with companies in Hyderabad but are now considering other locations, including Chennai. I've read all the useful info in the various threads and we are both very keen to live in India (we lived in Pakistan for 3 years about 20 years ago so are acquainted with the delights of boiling & filtering water, load-shedding, mozzies etc!). From what I have seen Chennai would seem to be an OK place to live for a few years; I am probably flying in for a visit and to meet with some potential IT partners next month (June 2008) - it would be really useful to have the opportunity to meet with other expats and talk about their experiences of moving to and living in Chennai. Anyone available? We would prefer not to live in a gated compound so anyone who lives in an independent house, bungalow or apartment might be able to persuade me that Chennai is the place to live!

Oct 19th, 2008, 11:59	#13
Smaps Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bali Posts: 18	about to move to Chennai Hi! I'm new here, but came upon this forum and am finding it very informative. Have a few questions about living in Chennai...I'm currently living and working in Bali, Indonesia and will soon be leaving for an internship in Chennai. Internship pays only 10,000 rp/ month, but I've been told that's plenty sufficient for basic dorm living (I have to live at the university) and food expenses, not to mention extra for "savings." Wondering if this money is sufficient enough or I'll be totally strapped for cash all the time? I don't need anything fancy, I can handle the dorm for a few months and don't indulge in anythign luxurious..just wondering what this money will cover. Also, things to do? Places to go? Expat hang-out groups? I'd love to start one once I arrive! The more advice, the merrier!

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May 25th, 2008, 20:09	#2
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	Yes, Chennai is a fine place to live, and on a decent ex-pat pay-and-benefits package, it is a very fine place to live! Gated compounds and apartment buildings with all facilities are certainly available, but can result in a rather isolated life. So could an independent house if it has large grounds and big walls, I guess.

May 25th, 2008, 20:21	#3
Portfolio Paul Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Gosport, England Posts: 4	Thanks Nick-H. We would prefer not to be surrounded by big walls in large grounds - quite the opposite in fact, although some outside space would be nice!

May 25th, 2008, 21:16	#4
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	Then depending on the size of that pay package, you should do very nicely here. Chennai has some lovely leafy suburbs, and also areas close to the sea.

Oct 17th, 2008, 01:50	#6
Teacher G Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Francisco, California USA Posts: 36	Where are those leafy suburbs? And are they close to the American International School?

Oct 17th, 2008, 07:17	#7
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	All over Southern Central Chennai! But I don't know the area of the School.

Oct 17th, 2008, 13:53	#9
Teacher G Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Francisco, California USA Posts: 36	Hi Prasannaj and thanks for responding! I'll look that up on my map. I certainly hope there is more then one leafy green suburb to where I can make my home. If you think of any more I'd appreciate it if you passed the information on to me. : )

Oct 19th, 2008, 01:27	#11
Teacher G Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Francisco, California USA Posts: 36	Thanks for the tip, I'll look it up on the map. If you come across any other information - I'd love to hear it! : )

Oct 19th, 2008, 02:54	#12
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	Kotturpuram is very nice, and parts of it are very posh, but make sure you find out from someone else in the street (not the person who is trying to rent to you!) about whether that road floods or not. Of course, it is not critical if you are not on the ground floor, but you might get trapped indoors for a day or so every year. Which isn't much.

Oct 21st, 2008, 01:54	#14
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	Hello Smaps, welcome to the site . Of course there are people who live on much less --- but it takes local knowledge to live a really local lifestyle, and it might not be how you would want to live anyway. I'd say that you can live on 300Rs a day, not including accommodation, yes. I wouldn't expect to save much, and I would expect a fairly simple lifestyle. Getting to know the buses would be a great help: many of our Chennai auto-rickshaw drivers are sharks: as a stranger you'll be lucky to get anywhere for less than Rs50, and as a newcomer, make that 100! If there is some food available at your dorm, included or very cheep, though, it could work out well: stay in one day, spend 600 the next!

Oct 23rd, 2008, 21:24	#15
Smaps Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bali Posts: 18	hey nick! Thanks for the reply. from what it sounds like, I can live at the university for less than 4 bucks a day (including all meals). Not a bad deal! Once it gets closer to my move-in date I'd love to start figuring out where to meet people, hang out, etc. Also trying to figure out Christmas plans...don't suppose there will be other lone expats during this time?