Chennai City Information

Yesteryears Madras is one of the sprawling cities representing the old-world charm and vibrant culture. Our old generation will not believe that it is 20 years already when Madras becomes Chennai. Colonial flavor and Tamilian glory; the fusion can be seen in the best version when you are in Chennai. The city has changed a lot for the betterment and advancement after the IT boom.

Chennai has become one of the biggest Indian IT hubs providing an urban lifestyle to the visitors and dwellers. If you are planning to move to Chennai, don’t worry as we got your back with this detailed Chennai City Information Guide.

Top Reasons to choose Chennai for Living

Greenery keeps the surrounding air fresh.

Get to experience and enjoy both western and traditional culture

Drooling variety of cuisines makes the city more special

Boost education with excellent schools, colleges, and universities

Best source of enjoyment are huge movie theaters

Beaches are relaxing, and you can enjoy freshly­ cooked seafood.

How to Get to Chennai

About Chennai

Demographics

Till 2000, Chennai's population is around 4.2 million, the average literacy rate is 80.14%, and the sex ratio is 948 females for every 1000 males,

Climate in Chennai

Chennai is on the thermal equator, and hence there is a slight variation in seasonal temperature. Since it lies close to the sea, it has a hot and humid climate for most of the year. The highest temperatures are experienced in May and June and usually range between 38 °C and 44°C. During winters, the temperature rarely falls below 18 °C. The city gets most of its seasonal rainfall from the north-east monsoon winds, between Mid October and Mid December. Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal sometimes hit the city.

Economy of Chennai

• Chennai is the automobile capital of India as 40% of the automobile industries have a base here.
• With the developed communication and infrastructural facilities, Chennai has also become an essential center for outsourced jobs from the Western world.
• It has been rated as "The most attractive Indian city for offshoring services" (according to A T Kearney's Indian City Services Attractiveness Index 2005).
• The place attracts millions of tourists every year from across the globe because of its beautiful temples and Marina Beach (one of the world's longest beaches).
• A Special Economic Zone (SEZ), with one of the world's largest information technology parks, is currently under construction in the outskirts of Chennai.
• Also, MNC's like Nokia, Flextronics, and Foxconn are setting up electronics manufacturing SEZs in the satellite towns.
• The city is home to the Tamil entertainment industry, the second-largest Indian entertainment industry.
• The city has a fully computerized stock exchange called the Madras Stock Exchange.
• Chennai is an essential center for banking and finance.

Important Industries in Chennai

• Automobile
• Textiles
• Apparels
• Leather
• Software Services
• Petrochemicals
• Hardware Manufacturing
• Financial Services

Education in Chennai

The literacy rate of Chennai is much higher than the nation-wide. The dwellers will get a good base for higher education. There are several Government-run and private schools in Chennai affiliated to CBSE, Tamil Nadu State Board, and ICSE. Many city colleges are affiliated with the University of Madras (1857), which has three campuses in the city and offers programs in medicine, law, science, arts, and commerce.

Best Universities and Colleges in Chennai

Engineering Colleges in Chennai

• Asan Memorial College of Engineering & Technology
• Amrita Institute of Computer Technology, Chennai
• Mohamed Sathak A.J. College of Engineering
• Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology
• DMI College of Engineering, Chennai.Palanchur
• Dhaanish Ahmed College of Engineering
• Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science
• Jerusalem College of Engineering
• Tonekala Camp Road
• SA Engineering College
• SSN School of Management & Computer Applications (SSN SoMCA)
• Sakthi Engineering College
• Sri Lakshmi Ammal Engineering College
• Sri Sai Ram Institute of Management Studies
• Sri Muthukumaran Institute of Technology
• Sri Ramanujar Engineering College
• Universal Empire Institute of Technology
• Valliammai Engineering College
• Sree Sastha Institute of Engineering and Technology
• VEL Sri Rangarajan Sakunthala College of Multimedia
• Sathyabama Engineering College
• SSN College of Engineering
• Tagore Engineering College

Medical Colleges in Chennai

• Kilpauk Medical College
• Madras Medical College
• Stanley Medical College
• ESIC Medical College & PGIMSR
• Sri Ramachandra University
• Sri Muthukumaran Medical College
• Government Yoga and Naturopathy Medical College
• Government Dental Hospital and College
• Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital
• Sri Sai Ram Homoeopathy Medical College
• Venkateshwara Homoeopathic Medical College
• Tagore Medical College
• Sri Venkateswara Dental College & Hospital
• Saveetha Medical College Hospital
• ACS Medical College and Hospital

Best Schools in Chennai

Matriculation Schools in Chennai

• A.A. Matriculation School
• Adarsh Vidyalaya Higher Secondary
• Akshara Matric Higher Secondary School
• Anjuman Matriculation School
• Annai Velankani School
• Balaji Matric Higher Secondary School
• Besant L.V.R. Matric Higher Secondary School
• Bharat Senior Secondary School
• Boston Matriculation Higher Secondary School
• Burhani Matric School
• C.S.I. Ewart Matric Higher Secondary School
• Cambridge Matric Higher Secondary School

Best State Board Schools in Chennai

• AJS Nidhi Higher Secondary School
• Alagappa School
• Arulmigu Meenakshi Amman Higher Secondary School
• Ashram School
• Besant Theosophical Higher Secondary School
• Beta Matriculation Higher Secondary School
• Bhalakumar Chairammal Surana Jain Higher Secondary School
• Bharatha Matha Madhava School
• Bharathi Vidyalaya Senior Secondary School
• C.Abdul Hakim Muslim High School
• Christ King Primary School
• Corporation Boys Higher Secondary school

Best CBSE Schools in Chennai

• Abdul Hakeem Hindu Muslim School
• Amirta Vidyalaya
• Adarsh Senior Secondary School
• Aspire Superkidz
• B V Bhavan's Rajaji Vidyashram
• Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
• Bala Vidhya Mandhir
• Chinmaya Vidyalaya
• Christ Church Anglo Higher Secondary School
• Devi Academy
• Hindu Colony Chellamal Vidyalaya
• Jaigopal Garodia Vivekananda Vidyalaya
• Jawahar Vidyalaya Senior Secondary School
• Kendriya Vidyalaya
• Kola Saraswathi Vaishnav Senior Secondary School

Best Street Markets in Chennai famous for Street Shopping

• The Sowcarpet
• The Besant Nagar
• The Ampa Skywalk
• The Pondy Bazaar
• The Pantheon Road
• The Phoenix Market City Mall
• George Town
• Ritchie Street
• Anna Nagar
• Panagal Park
• T. Nagar
• Burma Bazaar
• Cotton Street

Best Shopping Malls in Chennai for Shopaholics

Best Hospitals in Chennai

• Apollo Hospitals, Chennai
• Dr. Kamakshi Memorial Hospital, Chennai
• Dr. Mehta's Hospital, Chennai
• Fortis Malar Hospital, Chennai
• Frontier Lifeline Hospital, Chennai
• HCG Cancer Centre, Chennai
• Kauvery Hospital, Chennai
• MIOT International, Chennai
• Nithra Institute of Sleep Sciences, Chennai
• Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai
• Sankara Nethralaya Chennai
• Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre, Chennai
• The Madras Medical Mission, Chennai
• Vijaya Group of Hospitals, Chennai

Cost of Living in Chennai

Average Cost of Living in Chennai per Month

Accommodation

Best Areas to Live in Chennai

Cost of Buying Properties in Chennai

Cost of Renting Property in Chennai

Packing and Moving Rates from Chennai

Transport

Food

Groceries

Utilities

Shopping

Entertainment

Kids Schooling

Kids Schooling

Chennai Travel Guide

Must-Visits Places in and Around Chennai

Places that ring your interest are aplenty when you are in gorgeous Chennai. Here, some of the perfect and ideal places listed for different personalities based on their nature and interest. Check out the list and let Chennai make this trip more interesting for you:

Best for the Bookworm

• Alwar bookstall
• Amethyst Café
• Anna Centenary Library

Ideal for the Music Junkies

• Kutcheris
• The Margazhi Festival of Dance and Music

Best-Suited for the Gourmand

• Murugan’s Idli shop
• Saravana Bhavan
• Seena Bhai Tiffin Centre
• Rayars Mess
• Taj
• ITC Grand Chola
• Hyatt Regency

Perfect for the Art Aficionado

• Dakshinachitra
• Old Curiosity Shop

Best Things to Do in Chennai

• “The Marina Beach” will help you witness the true beauty of Chennai
• Visit “Thalankuppam Pier” to appreciate the vibrant culture fondness
• Be the audience of “Mahabalipuram Temple” and experience the greatness of architecture
• “MGM Dizee World” will help you have inexplicable fun
• Visit “Kapaleeshwarar Temple” and appreciate the astounding beauty of Chennai culture
• Explore “Royapuram Fishing Harbor” and experience Chennai vibrant heritage
• “Fishing at Barracuda Bay” is inviting its visitors to experience the scenic beauty
• “Anna Centenary Library” will give you a whole new experience of reading
• “Puri Jagannath Temple” is the best place to seek blessings
• “San Thome Cathedral” splendor will leave you amazed
• Discover the uncovered natural beauty of “Ubbalamadugu Falls.”
• Stars gazing at the “Birla Planetarium” are best in themselves.
• Visit “St. Andrew Cathedral” and appreciate the architectural beauty
• Experience “Chokhi Dhani“ as the mini Rajasthan in Chennai
• Explore Chennai with “Rickshaw Rides” to have more fun

Best Temples in Chennai

Best Churches in Chennai

• St. George’s Cathedral
• Andrew’s Kirik
• Avella Theresa Church
• Chinnamalai
• Christ Church
• St. Mary’s Church-Fort St. George
• St. Thomas Mount
• Velankanni Church
• Anderson Church
• Santhome Cathedral Basilica

Best Mosque in Chennai

• Makka Masjid
• Masjid Mamoor
• Anna Salai Darga
• Hazrat Baba Darga
• Quadri Baba Darga
• The Grand Mosque
• Thousand Lights' Mosque
• Thameem Ansari Baba Darga
• Mohammed Ismail Sahib
• Moti Baba Darga

Best Restaurants in Chennai

1. ITC Grand Chola
   Address: No. 63, Mount Road, Chennai
2. Taj Coromandel
   Address: 37, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai
3. Park Hyatt
   Address: 39, Velachery Road, Chennai
4. Radisson Hotel
   Address: 531, GST Road, Chennai
5. The Leela Palace
   Address: MRC Nagar, Chennai
6. The Park
   Address: 601, Anna Salai, Chennai
7. Courtyard Chennai
   Address: 564, Anna Salai, Chennai
8. Mash Resto Café
   Address: T 54 B, Elliots Beach Road, Chennai
9. Surf Turf
   Address: 10, Pearl Beach, Kovalam, Chennai
10. Brick House Bistro
    Address: Q88, Anna Nagar, Anna Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
11. Hola Restaurant
    Address: 6/1, 2nd Floor, Besant Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
12. Kipling Cafe
    Address: 16, L Jey Avenue, SH 49, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
13. Boats Beach Restobar
    Address: 17, 5th avenue, Chennai
14. Kapi Multicuisine Restaurant
    Address: Chariot Beach Resort, Chennai Mahabalipuram, Mahabalipuram, Chennai
15. Sea Crest
    Address: 1/74, East Coast Road, Chennai

Best Hotels in Chennai

Must Try Delicious Street Foods in Chennai

Best Resorts near Chennai

Best Picnic Spots in and Around Chennai

Best Tourist Destinations in Chennai

Chennai Moving Guide

Shifting from your old city to a different city has never been an easy task. The statement rings more perfectly when moving to a city with a different and unique culture similar to Chennai. The new movers have to face several difficulties when moving to another city, like finding a new workplace, settling into a new home, or renting a new property in a city. The problems become worse when the mover has to face the language barrier. However, these barriers and obstacles make the shifting and moving process to Chennai an adventurous one. Like other adventures, the way to deal with them is to be prepared from the start.

So, make sure to check these two significant categories before setting your foot into Chennai as we have prepared the list of essential and considerable things before moving to Chennai and the list of the best movers and packers in Chennai. So, without any further ado, let us get started:

Essential Things to Know Before Moving to Chennai

Chennai’s Weather

The first and foremost thing one has to know at priority is the weather of the new city to which the person is moving. As soon as you step into Chennai, the sun is really what you encounter. Chennai is one such Indian city quipped to have the “Hot Season” only. So, if you are moving to Chennai, then apart from beautiful beaches, delicious food, and vibrant culture, you will get here sunny days, and hotter night, that must be much more than you have bargained for already.

Language is a barrier

One of the most important things that stand out Chennai from other Indian cities is its language. Chennaiites really love their language and kind of boast for the same. Tamil is Chennai’s language representing a 2,000-year-old heritage. The pride is sometimes misconstrued as the arrogance to speak other languages. One thing you must have understood so far is that Hindi is not so common in Chennai. If you are moving to this city, make sure to pick up at least some common local words from the local language to deal with the Chennaiites.

Beware of the auto drivers

The auto drivers in Chennai and across India are notorious and pro in fleecing the customers. Chennai autos do not run on the meters, just like other Indian cities. The government has tried to set auto rates a bunch of times, but no auto drivers stick to it. So, make sure to be extra cautious during your move.

Known as “The City of Great Distances” for a reason

Chennai is known as the ‘City of Great Distances’ for a reason as the seas flank the city all around the sides. In recent years, Chennai’s urban area has grown widely and hugely, which means that the distance in Chennai from one end to the other could stretch up to 100 km or more. So, if you plan to shift to Chennai, you must know that traveling by road can be tiring, troublesome, and time-consuming. Chennai offers its dwellers and visitors with well-equipped railways, metros, and MRTS to ease traveling.

House-hunting is difficult

One of the significant things to keep in mind while moving to Chennai is the home hunt. The Chennaiites’ conservative mindset evidently makes house hunting very difficult for the bachelor, live-in couples, and single women. But, there is still scope that people can find a good landlord and a safe and secure place to live.

Best Packers and Movers in Chennai

Thepackersmovers.com is a reputable and widely recognized online store offering the customers professional assistance to ease the moving and shifting process. The team of packers and movers in Chennai helps the movers reduce the stress and move hassles by providing them impeccable moving services. Some of such services include packing and unpacking services, loading and unloading services, storage and warehousing services, etc.

Here, we have listed some best and proficient Chennai packing and moving companies to help the movers to move to Chennai safely and securely:

1. Arshad Transport
   Address: 48th Streetnanganallur, Chennai - 600061 Landmark: Near; Karur Visa Bank Chennai 600061
2. Royal Cargo Movers & Packers
   Address: Plot No. 61, Sakthi Garden, Seneerkuppam Poonamallee, Chennai TN 600056 Landmark: Sakthi Garden Chennai 600056
3. Sri Bhadri Narayanan Packers And Movers
   Address: 48th Streetnanganallur, Chennai Landmark: Karur Vysya Bank Chennai 600061
4. Ags Packers
   Address: East Main Road, Moda Colonykoyambedu, Chennai Landmark: Near; M.G.R. Engineering College Chennai 600107
5. The Professional Packers And Movers
   Address: Plot No.35, Chennai Poranagar Housing Society Senneerkuppam Poonamallee Chennai TN 600056
6. Yathiswaar Packers & Movers
   Address: No. 12, Anbu Street, Ekkatuthangal, Chennai Landmark: Near; Ekkaduthangal Bus Stand Chennai 600032
7. Thirumal Packers & Movers
   Address: No. 88, Sidco Industrial Estate, Ekkatuthangal, Chennai Landmark: Near; Ambal Nagar Bus Stop Chennai 600032
8. Pooja Packers And Movers
   Address: Door No. 8. 3rd Cross Street Mgr NagarPuzal, Chennai TN Chennai 600066
9. Natural Packers And Movers
   Address: No.31/ 12, Avvai Nagar Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai TN 600041 Chennai 600041
10. Icon Relocation Service
    Address: No. 3/380, Vivekananda Nagar, 1st Street, Leelavathi Nagar, Sennerkuppam, Near Bisleri Water Company Poonamallee, Chennai TN 600056