Expat need help! Questions about Trivandrum

Discussion in 'Trivandrum' started by milk82, Jan 2, 2011.

  1. milk82

    milk82 New IL'ite

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    Hello.

    We are a Norwegian / American family that is wondering of moving to India for a year. I have been searching around online and found Trivandrum a nice place. But have 100 questions. Hope someone is able to answer some of them.

    What is the cost per month for;
    3-4 BR house to rent?
    Day Care / pre-school for my 2 years old son?
    full time/ living maid? (per month)
    rent a car?

    How long can we stay in India on a Tourist visa?
    Do average people in Trivandrum speak English?
    Would you say Trivandrum and Kerala District is a friendly and safe place?
    __________________
     
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  2. Varloo

    Varloo Gold IL'ite

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    Hi,
    I am a Trivandrumiite, born and brought up there. Are you planning to stay only for a year? May I know for what purpose you are planning to be there?
    It is a safe place alright. The rent for a 3 Bedroom flat will be around 6000 Rupees or more. Play schools are plenty. You have to choose your place of stay according to your liking. But I would like to caution you on one thing in general about Kerala- you must be prepared to face banhs (the shops would be closed, there won't be any taxis etc. plying the road, sometimes even the public transport system (except train service) would not be working.
    It is a small place and has lot of temples. Beach and backwater are such lovely places.Maid will be costly, labour is hard to find there. People may understand English and there won't be any problem about communicating.
    But it is such a beautiful place and you can visit many parts of Kerala and Tamilnadu on weekends.
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2011
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  3. milk82

    milk82 New IL'ite

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    Hello.
    Thanks for your answer.
    We are planing to stay in India for one year because we want to experience something new. We just lived in Dubai for 3 years and know that India will be something totaly different, even though it is 60 % Indian people in Dubai.
    What im wondering is, what do you mean about costly, because I have a feeling costly in India is not what my country (Norway) is calling costly... :) Norway is one of the most expensive countries in the world.... We are budgeting 1000 dollars (around 44,000 inr) a month. Will this be enough including rent, maid and my sons pre-school?
     
  4. Varloo

    Varloo Gold IL'ite

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    Yes, definitely. You are right about costly being two things for us Indians and others. You can get very good accomodation in some of the best areas like Kowdiar, Jawahar Nagar etc. New townships and residential areas are sprining up too, near the sea. If you could specify about what type of accomodation you are looking for, many can put in their thoughts too.
    It is nice that you are able to live in different parts of the world, I too would have liked it that way.
     
  5. mdevina

    mdevina New IL'ite

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    Trivandrum is a beautiful place for you to live in! It is very green, quiet and has a good quality of life with its good schools and hospitals. Approx costs are:
    Rental: Rs 8000-10,000
    Full time Maid: Rs 6000
    Pre-school: Negligible
    Car rental: Car rental is not that easily available. You may be able to hire taxis on a regular basis or buy a car (and hire a driver). Maybe around Rs 400,000 for an average car and Rs 6000 pm for a driver.

    Trivandrum is a safe city. I would advise you to rent an apartment rather than a house and you don't have to worry about burglars either :) People in general are friendly and welcoming. Also, Kerala is one of the states with the highest percentage of English speaking people - so there won't be much problems with communications. Most signs are in English as well.

    Good luck!
     
  6. psvadivu

    psvadivu New IL'ite

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    Hai,

    As we are planning to relocate to TVM from chennai, as usual looking at options for
    1.School for my kid in 6th std CBSE and
    2. house for rent. Going to try schools Christ CBSE/Loyola/BVB. Taking these into considerations what residential locations we can take the apartments? Pls. suggest. Also rough rate for 2/3 BHK apartment's monthly rent.
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2012
  7. Lively

    Lively New IL'ite

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    Hi Vadivu @ 6,

    Christ CBSE is in Thiruvallam, on the way to Kovalam beach (south Trivandrum). Nearby residential areas are Kamaleswaram, Manacaud and Ambalathara. East Fort and Karamana are also within commutable distance

    Loyola is in Sreekariyam, beyond Ulloor (Northwest Trivandrum). Ulloor, Sreekariyam, Pongumoodu are nearby areas. Pattom and Kesavadasapuram are also doable.

    BVB (I guess you mean Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan) is in Vattiyoorkavu (North east Trivandrum). Vattiyoorkavu, Maruthamkuzhi, Thirumala are nearby areas.

    All the three schools are in three different directions. Mid-year admissions can be a little tough as these schools tend to be at full capacity, so get admissions first before you house hunt.

    All the areas suggested above are in proximity to city centre. To give you a little more info, Kowdiar, Pattom, Kesavadasapuram, Kuravankonam, Vellayambalam, Thirumala, East Fort and Karamana are within city/extended city limits. Peroorkada and Ulloor are also big hubs. You would want to be closer to the city/hubs, rather than the suburbs. If you go to the suburbs, conveniences might not be easily available, (especially after dusk) and you would have to come into the city areas for all your needs.

    You should be able to get apartments and independent houses between Rs.10,000 and Rs. 15,000 per month (Rs.15,000 would be on the higher end.)

    Good luck with your move!
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2012
  8. shafashiyaz

    shafashiyaz New IL'ite

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    We are relocating to Trivandrum this month.Can you please tell me how did yoy manage to get admssions in school and where did u get? Where do u stay? Please guide me..I am from coimbatore now in Mumbai...Thanks a lot..Expecdting reply at the earliest.
     
  9. sajan161

    sajan161 New IL'ite

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    Hi,

    Are you still looking for finding a good place in Trivandrum.
    I can give some tips.

    Thanks
    saj

     

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