Rent a house in Calcutta?

Hi, I am a swedish journalist moving to Kolkata with my family in October. We will stay for three months. Does anyone know where it is best to stay and how one can find a house or an apartment for rent?
Pernilla

Hello,

Finding a house in Kolkata is not a big deal. But where do you want to stay in the city? That is important. In areas like Salt Lake, Laketown, Bangur in north Kolkata are a bit expensive and descent as well. But if you want to stay in Tollygunj, Hazra or Park Circus then also equally expensive.

Regards

there are lots of online realestate sites
www.99acres.com
www.magicbricks.com

have you been to kolkata(or India for that matter)before?
its best to get an idea from these websites, then reach kolkata and take a look at a few places and then make the final decision.

"Best to stay" depends on lots of factors. Your budget, your means of transport, your work location.

A few places you can see -
1. salt lake
2. New apartment complexes by the side of E.M bypass(mani square or silver springs or highland park)

Thanks! I will look at the sites. It is difficult, even with Google Satelite, to get a real picture of Kolkata. I will work as a freelance, my husband at Jodhavpur University and our children probably go to Calcutta International School ( other schools I have been in contact with do not accepts children for only three months ).We need to find a location which is not to far away from job and school. We have been in India before but never in Kolkata, so I am very happy to receive info on the city. In terms of safety Im fine (used to work in Somalia), but I hate living close to a big high way. And another question, where does one play tennis? Do you know of any good tennis clubs/courts?
Pernilla

If husband works in JU and the kids will go to Calcutta international school then south kolkata is the place for you. If you hate living near a highway that rules out highland park in santoshpur for you - otherwise it would have been ideal for both your husband and kids.

You can look into flats in southern avenue. The place is comparatively clean and green.

Thanks for valuable info. My husband who is in Kolkata on a brief visit has been offered an apartment at Ruchira residencies, which according to him, is pretty worn done. The price would be Euro 500 a month. Is that overpriced or what is the "normal" rate for expats renting a flat / house with 3 bedrooms in this types of gated communities?
Parlan

I just saw the site for ruchira residency. It seems pretty near to the highland park I was earlier talking about. And it is by the side of a highway BTW - E M Bypass.

I am not a resident of kolkata any more - just an occasional visitor, my family stays there. So I am not up to date about rents. I am also not at all aware of what expats are supposed to pay - I am Indian and bengali. But Rs30000 a month looks on the higher side to me. From my very vague estimates, I would pay a maximum of Rs 17000 to 20000 for the place unfurnished. If Its furnished I would pay more(depending on the extent of furnishing).