Housing

Real estate prices in Chennai are sky high at the moment and the housing market is very tight. Appartments and houses in Chennai are expensive for the occupiable space you get, so preview some of your budget for that, if your company has not taken care of it already.

Finding a place that fits your taste might take time and if you are looking for expatriate housing you could think of outsourcing the whole process and let some real estate agent come up with a list of houses that meet your standards.

Be aware

Going on the road with a real estate agent seems like a good plan to quickly find a place to stay, but be aware though. Many of them are shrewd business man (and often  skilled liars) and they might take advantage of you as a foreigner. Read carefully all rent related documents, because the law on renting is not as advanced here as it is in the western world. Clausules might include the craziest requirements sometimes, from a 11PM curfue to a yearly 10% rent increase.

Living Areas in Chennai

One of the important criteria when looking for a place to stay is how far it is from work. The journey to work can be tiring and long, as traffic is enormous in the morning between 9 and 11.

Many of the international companies, as well as the major software companies, TCS, Satyam and Infosys have offices on old mahabilapuram road, in the south of the city and have their own staff busses to get there. Tidel Park, the biggest software park in Chennai is also located in the south, at the start of Old Mahabilapuram road (Thiruvanmyur).

The Besant Nagar neigbourhood is located in the south of Chennai, conveniently close to many office buildings and a popular residential area for expatatriates. Elliot's beach is close by and the hood is pretty quite compared to other areas.

Mylapore is not located that far south as Besant Nagar and therefore closer to the city center (though Chennai has no real downtown center), and is also an active and nice living area with several residential properties around.

Closest to the action might be the Nungambakkam neighborhood, though it is not entirely residential area, there are some beautiful propereties there, in the heart of Chennai. A walk around there will quickly give you an impression of what is offered.