Two months in Chennai

Baruch Bento · May 1st, 2009, 22:52

Hello!

I'm a 23-year-old Belgian and I will be working in Chennai during the months of September and October.

I have been to India (and to Madras) before and I am quite well-traveled throughout the country, yet I could use some information on accommodation and meeting people my age.

Concerning accommodation: I'm not exuberantly rich, so I don't entertain an 'only the best is good enough'-policy, but I would like a clean flat, preferably in a leafy area. If I don't manage to get an apartment, I'm willing to consider a guest house too, so it would be helpful if anyone could recommend some guest houses that are suitable for a two month-stay (I'll be working in the Anna Salai area).

So much for accommodation. I'm also wondering if there are any good meeting places for twentysomething expats and Indians alike? I know the older expats often form a tight social network, but as far as I know, it's a lot harder for people my age, since Indians have their own social circles and young expats are scattered all around the city, without any obvious opportunities to get to meet each other. I would like to get to know some people working/interning in Chennai during the September/October period and perhaps go out for a drink or movie or play some badminton/football(soccer)/... from time to time.

Awaiting your replies,

B.B.

Raghu.Kumar · May 2nd, 2009, 20:52

Hi BB,

Welcome to Chennai. Do let us know what would be your monthly budget for acco , accordingly we can suggest some places.

Regards, Raghu

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baruch Bento

Hello!

I'm a 23-year-old Belgian and I will be working in Chennai during the months of September and October.

I have been to India (and to Madras) before and I am quite well-traveled throughout the country, yet I could use some information on accommodation and meeting people my age.

Concerning accommodation: I'm not exuberantly rich, so I don't entertain an 'only the best is good enough'-policy, but I would like a clean flat, preferably in a leafy area. If I don't manage to get an apartment, I'm willing to consider a guest house too, so it would be helpful if anyone could recommend some guest houses that are suitable for a two month-stay (I'll be working in the Anna Salai area).

So much for accommodation. I'm also wondering if there are any good meeting places for twentysomething expats and Indians alike? I know the older expats often form a tight social network, but as far as I know, it's a lot harder for people my age, since Indians have their own social circles and young expats are scattered all around the city, without any obvious opportunities to get to meet each other. I would like to get to know some people working/interning in Chennai during the September/October period and perhaps go out for a drink or movie or play some badminton/football(soccer)/... from time to time.

Awaiting your replies,

B.B.

drgrudge · May 2nd, 2009, 21:02

BB,

I live somewhere 150m from Anna Salai near Gemini Circle. You're welcome to play Badminton with us. We play almost daily for abt 90 min from 6:30-9PM. FYI, I'm about the same age as you. Well, almost.

If you can spend around 8-9K a month, you'll get a 1 BR flat at Gopalapuram, Alwarpet, Egmore or Teynampet which will be closer to your office.

Baruch Bento · May 3rd, 2009, 02:47

Thanks for the replies so far!

Concerning my housing budget: I'm willing to spend anything under 15,000 Rs.

And thanks for the badminton offer! I will take you up on that, although you'll probably find that I'm not quite as proficient a badminton player as you are.

Greetings,

B.B.

drgrudge · May 3rd, 2009, 17:33

15k? Go for a flat in Gopalapuram. Very near to Anna Salai and a nice residential place.

Baruch Bento · May 3rd, 2009, 18:56

Great!

But since I don't like blind buying (or renting in this case), would I be likely to find something if I arrive in Chennai two days or so before I start working, and go on quick apartment hunt? Or is Chennai a difficult place to find good rentals?

drgrudge · May 3rd, 2009, 23:37

^^
I'm afraid 2 days might not be sufficient. Can here and scout for a place and zero on a flat. I think it'll take about 5 days unless you want to see 31 flats in 8 hours.

Rockyp44 · May 7th, 2009, 21:39

Baruch,
2 days might be enough if you are planning to sublet or share w/someone from Indiamike. Otherwise you should plan a week in a guesthouse. What's your budget and what area--I stayed in one called Crescent Homes in Indira Nagar (Adyar)and it was very clean.

May 1st, 2009, 22:52	#1
Baruch Bento Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Europe Posts: 6	Two months in Chennai Hello! I'm a 23-year-old Belgian and I will be working in Chennai during the months of September and October. I have been to India (and to Madras) before and I am quite well-traveled throughout the country, yet I could use some information on accommodation and meeting people my age. Concerning accommodation: I'm not exuberantly rich, so I don't entertain an 'only the best is good enough'-policy, but I would like a clean flat, preferably in a leafy area. If I don't manage to get an apartment, I'm willing to consider a guest house too, so it would be helpful if anyone could recommend some guest houses that are suitable for a two month-stay (I'll be working in the Anna Salai area). So much for accommodation. I'm also wondering if there are any good meeting places for twentysomething expats and Indians alike? I know the older expats often form a tight social network, but as far as I know, it's a lot harder for people my age, since Indians have their own social circles and young expats are scattered all around the city, without any obvious opportunities to get to meet each other. I would like to get to know some people working/interning in Chennai during the September/October period and perhaps go out for a drink or movie or play some badminton/football(soccer)/... from time to time. Awaiting your replies, B.B.

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May 2nd, 2009, 21:02	#3
drgrudge Almost Famous. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chennai/Bhopal Posts: 70	BB, I live somewhere 150m from Anna Salai near Gemini Circle. You're welcome to play Badminton with us. We play almost daily for abt 90 min from 6:30-9PM. FYI, I'm about the same age as you. Well, almost. If you can spend around 8-9K a month, you'll get a 1 BR flat at Gopalapuram, Alwarpet, Egmore or Teynampet which will be closer to your office.

May 3rd, 2009, 02:47	#4
Baruch Bento Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Europe Posts: 6	Thanks for the replies so far! Concerning my housing budget: I'm willing to spend anything under 15,000 Rs. And thanks for the badminton offer! I will take you up on that, although you'll probably find that I'm not quite as proficient a badminton player as you are. Greetings, B.B.

May 3rd, 2009, 17:33	#5
drgrudge Almost Famous. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chennai/Bhopal Posts: 70	15k? Go for a flat in Gopalapuram. Very near to Anna Salai and a nice residential place.

May 3rd, 2009, 18:56	#6
Baruch Bento Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Europe Posts: 6	Great! But since I don't like blind buying (or renting in this case), would I be likely to find something if I arrive in Chennai two days or so before I start working, and go on quick apartment hunt? Or is Chennai a difficult place to find good rentals?

May 3rd, 2009, 23:37	#7
drgrudge Almost Famous. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chennai/Bhopal Posts: 70	^^ I'm afraid 2 days might not be sufficient. Can here and scout for a place and zero on a flat. I think it'll take about 5 days unless you want to see 31 flats in 8 hours.

May 7th, 2009, 21:39	#8
Rockyp44 RP Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 244	Baruch, 2 days might be enough if you are planning to sublet or share w/someone from Indiamike. Otherwise you should plan a week in a guesthouse. What's your budget and what area--I stayed in one called Crescent Homes in Indira Nagar (Adyar)and it was very clean.