Chennai: A Great Home for Returning NRIs

chillibreeze writer — Malini Venkataraman

Picture this: a U.S. based NRI (Non-Resident Indian, for those few unfamiliar with this term) packing up bag and baggage and flying to his homeland with his wife and children to settle down there. While this scenario is common now, it is expected that even more Indians settled abroad will make India their home in the coming years. What is driving this trend of reverse migration?

The core reason is this - the India of today represents a booming economy that has made an indelible mark on the world map. With the country going global, the information technology wave is luring professionals with international experience. Little wonder then that a surprising number of Indians, who left the shores a few years/decades ago in search of good education, career, and lifestyle, are flocking back in droves.

In all probability, a good number of these people will be looking at Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi or Chennai to start their lives again in their native country. With opportunities abounding in each of these cities, they can make any of these cities their haven. All these places continue to attract expatriates, the top most being Bangalore— the software capital of India.

However, the recent times have been witnessing Chennai – the capital of Tamil Nadu - as a preferred destination for many of these “returned” NRIs. The city has slowly metamorphosed from a place known for its conservative attitude to a metropolis that can harbor and nurture people from all walks of life.

If you are an NRI exploring the prospects of returning to India, Chennai offers you a high-quality, affordable lifestyle and a safe atmosphere.

With a well-developed real estate market, Chennai’s houses and other buildings are cheaper when compared to many other cities. You can have your pick of well-built, independent houses or apartments from a choice of good builders.

Broader roads in the city help ease the traffic flow – you need not wait for hours on end to get to your destination.

Coming to your job, you/your spouse are sure to find a job in one of the top-tier companies that have set up world-class offices in and around the city. If you are venturing into business, the Tamil Nadu government’s procedures allow for fast setting up of businesses.

As for educating your children, the city is dotted with schools and colleges that are well-known for imparting excellent education. And with classes and camps conducted for students of all ages, there is no dearth of extra-curricular activities!

The erstwhile Madras is also the cultural hub of India and home to several well-known, budding artists of Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam (a form of dance). As the awareness of such forms of art continues to grow, parents are keen on bringing up their children in an atmosphere that preserves age-old traditions. In fact, there are stories of how the children of NRI couples fly down to India every few months to learn music/dance/instruments from eminent performers!

After a hard week’s work, you might be eagerly looking forward to some form of relaxation during the weekends. Don’t worry. You have plenty of options – a drive down the ECR road to Mahabalipuram, or a visit to amusement parks like Kishkinta are sure to unwind you. Further, Chennai’s multiplex cinema theatres, mega shopping malls and pubs also provide good entertainment.

With excellent medical facilities, some of Chennai’s hospitals are on par with the world’s best. People from all over the globe fly to the city for availing these facilities, which are cheaper than in their own countries. You will certainly not complain about the quality of medical treatment available in the city.

However, the city has its fair share of minus points too, the prime one being the weather. After living in cooler climes for several years, you may find it difficult to adjust to the heat during summer.

However, outweighing the cons, coming back to Chennai will literally take you to your roots. If you have a sense of longing for your home country, what are you waiting for? Chennai is THE place to be in!!!

 

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—About our writer:

Malini Venkataraman writes for Chillibreeze