Experience in Chennai, India by Venkatram

What is it like to live in Chennai? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

It's eternally hot. The rains are a bit forgiving. I would recommend a stay for a couple of days, to take in the culture. There are crafts emporiums, museums and galleries for people who are interested. There is a large coastline with several beaches alongside. The food is spicy and rich. There are several temples with intricate architectural nuances.

What is the student lifestyle like in Chennai?

There are only a bunch of notable colleges/universities in the city. Most of the universities are in the suburbs. The student lifestyles are rich in the campuses. However, out in the city it is not very flourishing.

How much does it cost to live in Chennai?

It depends on where you stay. If one were to find an accommodation in the city, the rates would be close to 20-30 thousand Rupees. In the suburbs, they are considerably cheaper. There are "Mansions" (shared dormitories) for people with extremely low budget. There are also hotels ranging from 500 rupees a night to 15000 rupees a night.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Chennai? Is there any advice you can give?

It might require someone in the city to give accurate details before one moves into the house. It is also not very hard to find an accommodation once the guest is in the city. Sites like airbnb have not much to offer here, however there are Oyo rooms available for temporary purposes while one searches for a more substantial accommodation.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The food is a wide palette of flavours. Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu. Hence one can find all cuisines from throughout Tamil Nadu and more in the city. Spicy Chettinad, Rich Veg Restaurants, Briyani centres, Indo Chinese Cuisine, Western Cuisine, Punjabi and other North Indian cuisine can all be found here.

What places would you recommend visiting in Chennai?

The beaches are a must visit. (with company of course). The temples and emporiums like (Egmore Museum, Valluvar Kottam, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram) are all places that hold rich cultural Value. One can also witness the film craze in the south by watching a Tamil movie in any movie theatre in the city.

Is it good to eat out in Chennai? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

There are several eat out spots in the city. Chennai has got its cuisine right. Though there are not many Food pockets as such, one can find a decent restaurant or an eatery in almost every street or at every turn.

Is the nightlife good in Chennai? Where is good to go?

The nightlife is non existent in Chennai.

What advice would you give future students heading to Chennai?

The advice would be to carry a lot of summer clothes. Learn a spot of Tamil and be prepared to brave a hot tropical climate. The Tamils are friendly people. Do be careful when dealing with the auto drivers as they might charge exuberant amounts of money for a short distance.