PAZHAM : North East (US) to Chennai Dairy

[pazham]

I had been to the US consulate this morning to renew my son's passport. Thanks to the forum member who had pointed me the the information in the website. Everything was clearly documented. I had to get the following things for my son (Minor under 16).

1. Curent Passport
2. Original Birth certificate of my son
3. 2 passport photos 2" X 2" from last 6 months
4. Our Passports
5. Fees Rs 4080 (or $85)
6. Progressive photos of my son

We had scheduled an appointment at 10:15 am. We went inside at 10:10 and we were out at 10:30. We waited for our turn and we were called in to submit the application. No standing in queues. No cutting lines. No nepotism. It took us only 10 minutes to get all documents verified and submit our application.Typical American process. No Ifs and Buts. No bribing etc. Everything was well documented and executed to perfection. After being in India for close to 2 years, this was like Godsend for me. Only if we this kind of process at the Govt Office here, life would have been much better. So much bureaucracy everywhere.

Sorry had to rant this one out.

Please post your comments here
http://www.r2iclubforums.com/forums/showthread.php/13709-Comments-on-Pazham-s-R2A-diary-Part-II/page24

Till we meet. Stay Tuned...

[pazham]

As a part of investing, I am currently exploring options to invest in real estate in Chennai. Only after I started dealing with the folks here, I realized how worse the situation is. People say many untrue things to get you sign an agreement and will not deliver what they promise. Be prepared to deal with a lot of black money, as the builders/owners will not register the house/plot for the true value. This is true even with big names like Clasic Farms. These builders will have political connections and will get approval easily. Only as we get into their plot, the truth unfolds. I had called one broaker to inquire about a plot in the gated community. He told me that it is a gated community and they are going to build a school, park, pool, clubhouse etc. When I went and inquired the builder, he told me that none of that is true.

Organizations play trick by selling the low value lands at first. They open up only a portion of the whole area and will pressurize the buyers o buy them by advertising that only 10 plots are left, rest are sold. Once the low cost plots are sold, they will increase the price and open up the next set of plots. This is how they inflate the prices. They will start with less favourable plots, sell them first and move on to sell the most favaourable one at a higher cost.


In US I had bought and sold a house. Bought and sold many cars. All very transparent and simple processes. There is so much cheating in India.

If you are planing to invest in a real estate in Chennai, take utmost caution. Go with reliable sources.

Please post your comments Here

Stay Tuned...

[pazham]

I will be completing 2 years pretty soon:cry::)). I will post my experience and thoughts on how I felt in the past 2 years.

Stay Tuned...

[pazham]

I will be completing 2 years post R2I this week :cry::)). These 2 years went very fast. First year had lot of struggles and issues. Second year had some struggles. At the end of these 2 years, I still feel the same way that I felt on day 1. I am not sure, if I still belong here.

In these past 2 years, I have enjoyed many things in India, school, culture, travel, events, functions, family etc. Parents are happy that we are near them. Kids had quality time with Grandparents.

I have also hated many things like work, people attitude, traffic, pollution, corruption, racism etc. Everytime I take a vacation outside India, these factors gets multiplied by many folds. commuting to work was hell for me. Wasting 3 hrs each day. Most of the organizations in India are order takers from US. Not satisfied with the quality of work being done (my experience). Felt that I am loosing my technology touch here.

Not sure, if moving to Chennai is the right thing that I did. Hate the Chennai weather. NE US weather was a bliss. It was cold, but I liked it. Chennai weather always makes me yearn for the fresh NE cold weather. But love the schools my kids go to. They emphasize on education, but also offer a well rounded development.

Overall my frustation level has gone down. But the satisfaction level has also gone down.

Why am I still here? Stay tuned...

[Janu2010]

Hindsight is always 20/20

[VA_INDIAN]

Not everyone is going to buy mackbook in India. We have to be reasonable in comparision. A BMW will cost much less in US or affordable to many but one cannot think of that in India. How do we compare these luxuries which are driven by many factors in two different countries. AGain we cannot try to live the same life in India expecting the same facilities in terms of buying power etc..

I think that we should change the tagline of Incredible India to Expensive India.

Branded items are very expensive here. On the other day I was shopping at an iStore in Chennai. A macbook pro costs Rs 93800 here (approx 2039). The same macbook pro costs little over $ 1400 in US. Same holds good for items like shirts, trousers, electronics etc. Non-availability of latest gadgets is one issue, but looking at the price will give you a sticker shock.

Real-Estate is another fisaco here. The prices are sky-rocketing high. A Villa in Chennai can cost anywhere between 1.3 Cr to 3 Cr. With the same price you can buy a better and bigger SFH in a decent metro in US. the quality of deliverables that you get for the price you pay is not reasonable

Overall to lead the quality of life that you get abroad in India is very difficult. So if someone is doing an R2I with the intent to live a comparable life in India is for a big shock.

India is no longer cheap.

[VA_INDIAN]

Agreed, weather definitely is a big challenge looking at your past experiences. Schools are offering all round development for sure in India...

Not sure, if moving to Chennai is the right thing that I did. Hate the Chennai weather. NE US weather was a bliss. It was cold, but I liked it. Chennai weather always makes me yearn for the fresh NE cold weather. But love the schools my kids go to. They emphasize on education, but also offer a well rounded development.

Overall my frustation level has gone down. But the satisfaction level has also gone down.

Why am I still here? Stay tuned...

[tinkerbell]

Hi Pazham,
Myself and my husband have read ur diary and it was very informative. We're planning on moving back to Chennai
after 12 years in Dubai. I have got admission for my 2 kids, aged 10 and 5, in schools in Chennai, though not my first choice.
I'd like to know which school your kids go to, so at least I can try there for my kids for the next academic year. Pls do
send a PM to me if you're not comfortable telling school name in a public forum.
Thanks, tinkerbell
P.S. - Although i'm not sure how to use PM feature as i'm new to this forum!

I will be completing 2 years post R2I this week :cry::)). These 2 years went very fast. First year had lot of struggles and issues. Second year had some struggles. At the end of these 2 years, I still feel the same way that I felt on day 1. I am not sure, if I still belong here.

In these past 2 years, I have enjoyed many things in India, school, culture, travel, events, functions, family etc. Parents are happy that we are near them. Kids had quality time with Grandparents.

I have also hated many things like work, people attitude, traffic, pollution, corruption, racism etc. Everytime I take a vacation outside India, these factors gets multiplied by many folds. commuting to work was hell for me. Wasting 3 hrs each day. Most of the organizations in India are order takers from US. Not satisfied with the quality of work being done (my experience). Felt that I am loosing my technology touch here.

Not sure, if moving to Chennai is the right thing that I did. Hate the Chennai weather. NE US weather was a bliss. It was cold, but I liked it. Chennai weather always makes me yearn for the fresh NE cold weather. But love the schools my kids go to. They emphasize on education, but also offer a well rounded development.

Overall my frustation level has gone down. But the satisfaction level has also gone down.

Why am I still here? Stay tuned...

[mkitvp]

Pazham
Thank you very much for your detailed but precise comments on different issues in India. I was wondering how long you were in US before you R2I? sorry if you had already mentioned this somewhere. I want to compare the mindset here, that's all (Coz, the time frame may impact me too)

Thx
MK

I will be completing 2 years post R2I this week :cry::)). These 2 years went very fast. First year had lot of struggles and issues. Second year had some struggles. At the end of these 2 years, I still feel the same way that I felt on day 1. I am not sure, if I still belong here.

In these past 2 years, I have enjoyed many things in India, school, culture, travel, events, functions, family etc. Parents are happy that we are near them. Kids had quality time with Grandparents.

I have also hated many things like work, people attitude, traffic, pollution, corruption, racism etc. Everytime I take a vacation outside India, these factors gets multiplied by many folds. commuting to work was hell for me. Wasting 3 hrs each day. Most of the organizations in India are order takers from US. Not satisfied with the quality of work being done (my experience). Felt that I am loosing my technology touch here.

Not sure, if moving to Chennai is the right thing that I did. Hate the Chennai weather. NE US weather was a bliss. It was cold, but I liked it. Chennai weather always makes me yearn for the fresh NE cold weather. But love the schools my kids go to. They emphasize on education, but also offer a well rounded development.

Overall my frustation level has gone down. But the satisfaction level has also gone down.

Why am I still here? Stay tuned...

[delhir2i]

Hi Pazham, It has been a while since your last posting on realistic R2I experiences. Are you still around or have you R2A'ed.