Located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is one of the most developed cities of South India and is considered one of the top Indian cities for quality of living. Owing to its extensive and diverse opportunities, good infrastructure, unique and ancient-style architecture and museums, the city attracts many people, including expatriates.
Formerly known as Madras, the city is an industrial, commercial, economic and cultural hub, with a wealth of opportunities. You can find accommodation in Chennai according to your criteria and budget without much hassle.
Chennai's neighbourhoods
Chennai is largely divided into four main zones namely North, Central, West and South. The outskirts are better known as Greater Chennai.
The north of Chennai is primarily industrial in nature, however, there are some residential pockets. Some of the places that you will find in the north are East and West Kodungaiyur, Madhavaram, Puzhal, Moolakadai, Kolathur, Parry's Corner, Royapuram, Tiruvottiyur, Perambur, etc.. The central part of the city is a popular commercial hub and includes neighbourhoods like Triplicane, Royapettah, Teynampet, Alwarpet and Gopalapuram. These localities encompass some of the most sought after residential apartments, and, as a result, are some of the more expensive accommodation options.
The South and West areas of Chennai, which were previously residential, have now become the centre for several IT and financial companies. Some of the locations in the West are Ayanavaram, Villivakkam, Anna Nagar, Padi, East and West Mogappair, Arumbakkam, Avadi, Pudur, Korattur and Ashok Nagar.
In the South, you will find Meenambakkam, Perungudi, Sholinganallur, Alandur, Adyar, Besant Nagar and Thiruvanmiyur. Mylapore, also known as Thirumayilai in the South, is a cultural hub and is one of the oldest residential parts of the city. It offers affordable accommodation options.
There are some areas in Chennai that are preferred by expatriates. These include Thiruvanmiyur, Injambakkam, Akkarai, Panathur, Nungambakkam, Bishop Garden, Mylapore, Besant Nagar, East Coast Road, etc.. There are more upscale areas in Chennai, such as East Coast Road, Bishop Garden and Anna Nagar.
Rent prices in Chennai
Prices of accommodation in Chennai vary depending upon several factors including location, space, facilities etc. However, most accommodation is reasonably priced. You just need to find the right one for yourself.
For instance, you are expected to pay an average of INR 13,166 per month for a single-bedroom apartment in the city-center and an average of INR 8,750 for the same type of accommodation in the outskirts. For a three-bedroom apartment, you will need an average of INR 32,250 per month in the city-center and around INR 17,625 per month in the outskirts.
Searching for accommodation in Chennai
Finding accommodation is a big task when moving to a new place. However, if you are moving to Chennai via a job transfer, then it is most likely that your employer will take care of your accommodation.
Otherwise, you can also look for an appropriate housing as per your taste and budget by various means: internet, classified ads in local newspapers, expatriate forums, etc.. Word-of-mouth can also turn out to be very helpful if you have friends and contacts on the spot. You can also register with a real estate agency to find a house of your choice, though you will be required to pay a commission, which is generally equal to a month's rent.
Useful links:
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
