Please post your experience about this city:
How is the city
Schools
General conditions, traffic, etc
Thanks
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song__1766
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2007 7:19 pm
Seeking Trivandrum R2I Members
^bumping for reply^
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OP...
I am R2Iing to TVM in a few weeks from now. Here is my take on the city. I have lived in the city for a decade before coming to US, so watch out for my prejudices and biases.
It is a tier-II city. Very small compared to Delhi, Chennai, BLore or even Cochin. Traffic is very minimal compared to the above cities. Now, if you ask someone who has been living there life-long, they will complain about how bad the traffic is and how long it takes to get from point A to point B. This is primarily because they compare it to what it was 10-20 yrs ago. Now, if you compare the traffic in metros, TVM is a walk in the park even during peak commute hours. The distance between two remotest corners of the city (Kazhakuttam-Technopark area to East Fort-Bus/Train Terminus) is 15kms. One morning (around 8AM) I traveled by an auto end-to-end and it took 20 minutes. Even at the peak times it will take 45 minutes max (which is too long for the locals). There is a main artery part of which will be clogged during peak hours. There is a newer bypass road (equvalent of ECR rd in Chennai) that goes from the airport to Technopark and that is almost always a pleasure to drive.
Real estate is as expensive as in any city in India. Flats go for 40-50-60 lacs, the good thing is that this premium gets you something in the most desirable parts of the city. 3BR flats rent out for 10K in the most upscale locations. 3BR houses can be rented for 5K as people prefer flats. The most upscale flat complex charges 15k for unfurnished and 20k for furnished 1750sqft flats.
There are many decent schools with CBSE/ICSE syllabus all within 10kms of wherever you stay. There is one really snazzy, upscale, truly international school that is 35kms from the city and 25 kms from the Technopark area.
Where TVM scores hands down compared to most cities in the south is the unparalleled standard of living. You are 15 kms or half an hour away -at the most - from anything. It is probably the cleanest capital in the south, not to mention the greenest. Even the lowest rung of the population exhibit a level of cleanliness that is rare elsewhere. There are quite a few decent hospitals. Pollution is almost non existant by Indian standards. There seems to be some infrastructure planning in preparation for the future - Almost all the roads are being expanded, so there is construction everywhere, things should be good in a couple of years.
What works against TVM is - if you are not from there or do not have family in the city, you will be bored stiff. There are not many entertainment options - it is not for the young crowd. There are a couple of great beaches, Cochin is 4hrs away, a hill station near by, Idukki, Munnar etc are a few hrs away, Kanyakumari is a couple of hours away, pretty much thats it. All entertainment are out of station. This is still a conservative city - you will not find even NRIs in shorts. Technopark is changing the landscape, but much slowly than in other cities. There are very few outlets to blow money so your expenses are less - hence you may get paid less than in other cities.
The other sore spots are - it is a closed community, you may not find locals open and friendly like other places. Auto drivers are decent - very rarely will they take you for a ride. After 8PM you wont find many shops open. Communist/Socialist values hold a big sway - so hartals, bandhs road blocks are more common - more importantly, when one or two main roads are blocked, the city comes to a halt.
Here is another kicker - not sure if this is a pro or a con. Unlike many other parts of India, money does not always buy you the best service. Bribing is not always an option - so, do not bet that paying off someone will get you what you want. Kerala has always seen an abundant influx of foreign money so NRIs are not a special class here. Although, I should admit that I did see a slight improvement in the service attitude this time.
Cochin is a more cosmopolitan, crowded and vibrant city, hence is a messier place. From your query, it seems like you are not a native. Let me know if you any specific questions.
I am R2Iing to TVM in a few weeks from now. Here is my take on the city. I have lived in the city for a decade before coming to US, so watch out for my prejudices and biases.
It is a tier-II city. Very small compared to Delhi, Chennai, BLore or even Cochin. Traffic is very minimal compared to the above cities. Now, if you ask someone who has been living there life-long, they will complain about how bad the traffic is and how long it takes to get from point A to point B. This is primarily because they compare it to what it was 10-20 yrs ago. Now, if you compare the traffic in metros, TVM is a walk in the park even during peak commute hours. The distance between two remotest corners of the city (Kazhakuttam-Technopark area to East Fort-Bus/Train Terminus) is 15kms. One morning (around 8AM) I traveled by an auto end-to-end and it took 20 minutes. Even at the peak times it will take 45 minutes max (which is too long for the locals). There is a main artery part of which will be clogged during peak hours. There is a newer bypass road (equvalent of ECR rd in Chennai) that goes from the airport to Technopark and that is almost always a pleasure to drive.
Real estate is as expensive as in any city in India. Flats go for 40-50-60 lacs, the good thing is that this premium gets you something in the most desirable parts of the city. 3BR flats rent out for 10K in the most upscale locations. 3BR houses can be rented for 5K as people prefer flats. The most upscale flat complex charges 15k for unfurnished and 20k for furnished 1750sqft flats.
There are many decent schools with CBSE/ICSE syllabus all within 10kms of wherever you stay. There is one really snazzy, upscale, truly international school that is 35kms from the city and 25 kms from the Technopark area.
Where TVM scores hands down compared to most cities in the south is the unparalleled standard of living. You are 15 kms or half an hour away -at the most - from anything. It is probably the cleanest capital in the south, not to mention the greenest. Even the lowest rung of the population exhibit a level of cleanliness that is rare elsewhere. There are quite a few decent hospitals. Pollution is almost non existant by Indian standards. There seems to be some infrastructure planning in preparation for the future - Almost all the roads are being expanded, so there is construction everywhere, things should be good in a couple of years.
What works against TVM is - if you are not from there or do not have family in the city, you will be bored stiff. There are not many entertainment options - it is not for the young crowd. There are a couple of great beaches, Cochin is 4hrs away, a hill station near by, Idukki, Munnar etc are a few hrs away, Kanyakumari is a couple of hours away, pretty much thats it. All entertainment are out of station. This is still a conservative city - you will not find even NRIs in shorts. Technopark is changing the landscape, but much slowly than in other cities. There are very few outlets to blow money so your expenses are less - hence you may get paid less than in other cities.
The other sore spots are - it is a closed community, you may not find locals open and friendly like other places. Auto drivers are decent - very rarely will they take you for a ride. After 8PM you wont find many shops open. Communist/Socialist values hold a big sway - so hartals, bandhs road blocks are more common - more importantly, when one or two main roads are blocked, the city comes to a halt.
Here is another kicker - not sure if this is a pro or a con. Unlike many other parts of India, money does not always buy you the best service. Bribing is not always an option - so, do not bet that paying off someone will get you what you want. Kerala has always seen an abundant influx of foreign money so NRIs are not a special class here. Although, I should admit that I did see a slight improvement in the service attitude this time.
Cochin is a more cosmopolitan, crowded and vibrant city, hence is a messier place. From your query, it seems like you are not a native. Let me know if you any specific questions.
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song__1766
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2007 7:19 pm
Seeking Trivandrum R2I Members
Suri, Thank you very much for your response. Good luck as you move. I would really appreciate it if I can be in touch for specific questions about TRV sometime later.