Hyderabad Move and Various Questions

Hi folks,

I'll be living in Hyderabad from Mid-March to Mid-September with a family of four.

Random questions:

Is a six-month rental going to be a problem for most of the high-end (near Kondapur) properties?

Are there specific issues that westerners should ask about on properties?

If I'm planning on getting a quite nice place is a washing machine now pretty standard?

Since we'll only be there for a short time, I'm thinking about the idea of just exploring and "homeschooling" the kids. In order to make this happen, I'm thinking about the idea of hiring a young (16+) Hyderabad native with strong English as a energetic tutor/kid-care for a couple of hours a day. The idea is that they could help with some of the generic academics but also provide some cultural/language instruction. Is this possible/legal? Where would be the best place to look for such a person. The ideal would be someone just pre-university.

Likewise, I'm trying to get over my aversion to various other forms of servant. I come from a part of the US where people are expected to do as much of their own "chores" as they're physically capable of doing, so getting a maid or a the like is a very strange concept. But when in Hyderabad...So how do I find such a person?

My transportation options seem to be bike, motorbike, single-ride taxis or autorickshaws, renting a car for an expensive daily rate, getting car and driver on certain days, or buying a car. Anyone do the latter? Can I own a car? Am I crazy to want to drive one? Can I get something marginally safe for under 2 lakh? Can I sell it for a reasonable price?

Are there "activities" for kids such as classes, sports, or music where they'll be OK speaking only English?

Are the following easily available in Hyderabad, and if so where would you recommend:
SonicCare Toothbrush heads
Flavored Diet Coke products (e.g. Diet Cherry)
Root Beer
Single-Malt Scotch
Dumbbells and KettleBells (for weightlifting)

Thanks for your answers ahead of time.

Are the following easily available in Hyderabad, and if so where would you recommend:
SonicCare Toothbrush heads - NOT SURE
Flavored Diet Coke products (e.g. Diet Cherry) - NO
Root Beer - STALE imported ones
Single-Malt Scotch - all kinds available LOL
Dumbbells and KettleBells (for weightlifting) - YES.

You didn't mention on what Visa are you coming here. Assuming Employment Visa.

Six month rental - Not as easy as 1 year, but possible.
Most homes are NOT furnished, not even Washing machines, stove tops etc. Those that are will be few and expensive.
Hiring a kid - Not easy.
Servant: Not absolutely necessary just because you are in India. If you do need, ask neighbours, colleagues.

Car and Driver. You can buy a car, but for 2 lakh you will get a very small car and used like a Maruti 800/Zen/Alto. Driver almost essential.

Activities for kids - Plenty if you look around. Most children in these classes do speak ONLY English.

Hey there,


>> A six-month rental shouldn't really be a prob around the Kondapur area. (Have people i know already staying there)

>> Nothing to ask in particular except the electricity and water facilities. (The basic needs)

>> As mentioned above not all houses there are fully furnished so you might have to get a washing machine of your own. ( You'd get a basic one easily at decent cost)

>> Yes Hiring a kid not easy but possible ! Prolly you can hire a college going student and couple of hours a day sounds neat for a student too

Ps. I'm a college student myself.

>> You can easily find a maid w/the help of your neighbours.

>> Don't think you'll get a new car under 2 lakhs but may be a seconds one easily. But bike's pretty good too > something like Honda Activa - easy to move around ! and better to hire a driver if you go with the car option !

>> Lot of activities for kids including the ones you mentioned...you need not worry about that at all

> SonicCare Toothbrush heads - No - Better to come well equipped
> Flavored Diet Coke products (e.g. Diet Cherry) - No but a lot of similar drinks - yes
> Root Beer - Yes
> Single-Malt Scotch - Yes
> Dumbbells and KettleBells (for weightlifting) - Yes

Lot of new malls/ super markets now so getting what you need to live here for 6 months shouldn't be a prob

Greetings from India.

You said "family of four" - does that include a spouse, or is it 3 kids? If you have a spouse going with you, you need to be thinking about that person's needs, too, especially for transportation. You might want to reconsider where you plan to live, too, based on proximity to things other than your office. Maybe it's changed since my last trip to Hyderabad (2008), but I think of Kondapur as a bit of a wasteland in terms of being able to do anything on foot. I'd be more inclined to live closer to the center of Hyderabad: Banjara Hills, Srinagar Colony, Khairatabad and the like. I lived in Banjara Hills (western part, closer to Jubilee Hills) in 2007, and was able to go a lot of places on bicycle.

Getting around on a two-wheeler is a good way to go. You'll need a motorcycle license (not just the usual driver's license) to be able to ride a two-wheeler legally. You have time to get one if you don't; motorcycle training classes are definitely worthwhile. If you don't feel comfortable with a 'cycle, consider a scooter; they're much easier to learn to ride, and ubiquitous.

My kids were homeschooled (not in Hyderabad, but in the U.S., from 3rd grade on); I think it's a terrific option, and a great use of their time in Hyderabad. You can do a lot of weekend traveling, and they'll have memories and experiences that will last a lifetime.

PM me if you want to chat, and I'll send you my contact info.

-- Jerry

Hi Baba!
Got any store addresses/contact nos where I could buy kettlebells from? This is for a friend residing in Hyderabad.
Thx!