R2I - So here it is..

CA2chennai · Post by **CA2chennai** » Sun Jan 25, 2015 10:26 pm

If you need any prelude start from this link http://www.r2iclubforums.com/forums/showthread.php/35205-Moving-to-Chennai-May-2014-from-N-California/

So its been close to 6-7 months since I moved from USA and I just found some time and more so patience to sit down and write what/where I am for fellow members.

I am now in Mahindra City - liitle outside of hussle bussle of Chennai and rented a house in M City new community and why so?

I am basically a Chennai City boy and grew up all my life in Anna Nagar- posh area of Chennai neighborhoods.Unfortunately the metro rail messed up the entire area and also my son did not get admission in the school I studied.. so I was planning to move to Plan B that we were planning - Auroville,Pondy and we were almost certain that we will rent a place and get my son admitted in a Auroville KG schools- much to what we needed..

Then a sudden twist- one of my friend suggested to check out M City - and we just went for what the heck trip in late June and loved it -sometimes love at first sight does work.. :)
checked on schools - there are 2 of them- one being MWS- mahindra world school and other mahrishi vidya mandir MVM.. both are CBSE and we got a sure admit at MVM but it was just started this academic year and wasnt convinced..

somehow with God's intervention got admit in MWS and my son started liking it and we like the school as well not much torture and fun place to begin schooling... Princi is damn good.

we found a rental in M city itself - ranges from 17-19 plus maintenance- 4k

As far as I am concerned- I did not look out for any job- started out farming in Karaikal - paddy and will be harvesting soon... also I have a small startup IT office in Tambaram and working on getting small IT gigs- its tough but will try my best..I have some other ideas/plans but will start executing it slowly... if you start working for some one you lose the freedom to think and do.. its risky but i am daring to take some risks..

Got a decent 2010 Hyundai i10 Auto with only 20K Kms for approx 3Lac and its a good thing to buy- adjusted to local driving styles pretty easily...

I commute to my Tambaram office by EMU -1st class season ticket - so no traffic headaches in commuting ... also GST road is nearby so i can travel south easily buy train or by bus or by car. Adapting is the

Lifestyle:
Internet/Phone/electricity etc are all trivial things dont sweat it out... Its all good here many options..

I dont have TV/Cable at house and just listen to Radio FM and we have a minimalist life - our parents and in laws gave some stuff they are not using like sofa,gas stoves,etc.. we bought 4 plastic chairs.we just got basic things from US so we paid less for shipping and less or none at customs.. and hence less clutters as well..

We cook in earthen pots mostly,use brass/bronze utensils of our grand parents,cook fresh veggies I get from Tambaram Market and eat country hen/eggs.Get fresh milk from local milkman - believe me this give life a different meaning..(I drove Merc Benz and lived in a 3400sqft house in US and had pretty much every gadget gizmos)

As far as sugesstions/advices- I will say this - Go by what your heart says- there is always an insecure feeling as how much savings is needed/how will I survive etc.. but these will always be there where ever you live... if your heart says India and you are 99% sure but crossing that 1% is where you are not clear - Just Go for it - dont come in a mindset that you can always return - with this mindset you will never be contented in Indian lifestyle and will start planning to go back.

Living in India is not easy but its not hell here.. there are so many Pluses and of course Minuses.. but isnt this a case anywhere?

will continue writing my thoughts often ..
continues...

CA2Chennai

Mankaven · Post by **Mankaven** » Sun Jan 25, 2015 11:28 pm

Gr8 going... loves this transition from Benz to i10... I wish I could do same one day...

good luck..

justdoit2552 · Post by **justdoit2552** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 12:22 am

Interesting.. more to hear from your transition...

pskum · Post by **pskum** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 1:41 am

Good luck CA2chennai..

Sent you a pm..

thanks
kumar

poofygoogle · Post by **poofygoogle** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 8:14 am

Good luck ..

Rajgo2india · Post by **Rajgo2india** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 8:24 am

Nice brief story, good luck!!!

vizagdesi · Post by **vizagdesi** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 9:19 pm

Thank you for a refreshingly positive R2I experience from Chennai. It is all about what you want to see. If you predominantly want to see only rash people, stinking air, unhygienic bathrooms, pothole roads then that's what gets your attention first. On the other hand, if you want to see the simplicity of life, the inherently good nature of the people, the utter helplessness of uneducated masses eking out a living with whatever skill they have -- however unethical or barbaric that may look to the educated, refined, rich R2Iers who expect India to be like their foreign home -- then that's what you will see.

The outside world is just like a mirror. It only reflects your state of mind.

Chakraan · Post by **Chakraan** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 10:03 pm

CA2chennai;592152
We cook in earthen pots mostly,use brass/bronze utensils of our grand parents,

Interesting! What is your wife's reaction for this "torture" ?

CA2chennai · Post by **CA2chennai** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 1:13 am

Chakraan;592229Interesting! What is your wife's reaction for this "torture" ?

Dude do you think I can force things on better half ? It's infact all her suggestions.

Using those types is not a torture btw - the west is adapting these more than false prestige seeking Indians

what you have to appease your wifey!!! ...Plastics and non sticks???

cmdrsk · Post by **cmdrsk** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 4:32 am

CA2chennai - I sent you a PM, please check