Corporate Housing in Chennai

Adyar / Indira Nagar

South Chennai · leafy family haven

Mature trees, low-rise villas and a strong CBSE catchment (Sankara, PSBB, DAV) bordering IIT Madras — a favourite of intra-India families relocating with school-age children.

Anna Nagar

North Chennai · planned suburb

Wide tree-lined roads around Tower Park with strong premium-CBSE schools and excellent airport/Sriperumbudur access — a solid family neighbourhood for auto-sector engineers wanting space and planning.

Besant Nagar

Beach-side · promenade living

Chennai's most coveted beach neighbourhood — Elliot's Beach promenade, boutique cafés and sea-view apartments; calmer than Marina, prized for the rare combination of beach access and walkability.

Besant Nagar / Elliot's Beach

Beachfront · promenade life

Chennai's most coveted beach neighbourhood — Elliot's Beach promenade, boutique cafes and sea-view apartments; calmer and more walkable than Marina.

Boat Club Road / Poes Garden

Adyar River · old-money enclave

Chennai's most prestigious address — palatial bungalows of industrialists and film stars; mostly sprawling independent homes, very low apartment supply, best for C-suite and established families.

ECR / Neelankarai

East Coast Road · beachfront villas

Beachfront villas and apartments with a weekend-home feel within the city; gaining premium as the ECR upgrades and Mahabalipuram tourism normalises.

Nungambakkam

Central CBD · walkable premium

Chennai's central premium district with the US Consulate, dining strip and quick Anna Salai access — a rare Indian metro neighbourhood where you can actually walk to work and dinner; popular with finance, legal and consulting movers.

OMR Corridor — Sholinganallur, Thoraipakkam, Navalur

IT belt · modern high-rise

Chennai's IT spine with the most international apartment stock — infinity pools, clubhouses, gated security — at lower price points than central Chennai; the dream for IT families relocating intra-India.

OMR Corridor (Sholinganallur, Thoraipakkam, Navalur)

IT belt · modern high-rise

Chennai's IT spine with tech parks and corporate campuses; modern gated high-rises with pools and clubhouses at lower price points than central Chennai — best for IT executives.

Chennai – Bangalore Vande Bharat

Rail · 4h 30m

A fast Vande Bharat express increasingly preferred over flying for the Chennai–Bangalore corridor; book via IRCTC.

Chennai International Airport (MAA)

Meenambakkam · int'l gateway

Terminal 2 handles international arrivals; 14km / 30-55 min to Nungambakkam. Terminal-3 expansion completes June 2026, materially upgrading capacity.

Metro Blue Line

Wimco Nagar – Airport · operational

Fully operational Phase 1 line (45km, 32 stations) connecting the airport to the city core via Chennai Central and Egmore — the most useful single line for new arrivals.

Metro Blue Line (Wimco Nagar - Airport)

45km · airport to city core

Phase 1, fully operational; the most useful single line for new arrivals via Chennai Central, Egmore and Anna Salai with a direct airport link.

Metro Green Line

Chennai Central – St. Thomas Mount · operational

Operational Phase 1 line (22km, 17 stations) linking north Chennai to the south via Vadapalani, interchanging with the Blue Line.

Metro Green Line (Chennai Central - St. Thomas Mount)

22km · north-south link

Phase 1, operational; connects North Chennai south via Vadapalani, interchanging with the Blue Line at Chennai Central and Alandur.

Metro Red Line

Madhavaram – Sholinganallur · Phase 2

The most consequential Phase 2 line (rolling out from 2026), a direct underground metro to the OMR IT corridor that is already reshaping property values.

Metro Red Line (Madhavaram - Sholinganallur)

Phase 2 from 2026 · OMR link

The most consequential addition — direct metro from north Chennai through Adyar to the OMR IT corridor, reshaping commutes and property values.

MRTS Suburban Rail

Beach – Velachery · suburban corridor

Cheap, fast suburban rail along the Beach–Velachery and Central–Tambaram corridors, with frequency rising via new Vande Metro services.

MRTS Suburban Rail (Beach - Velachery)

South corridor · suburban rail

Cheap, fast suburban rail along the Beach-Velachery and Central-Tambaram corridors, with frequency rising via new Vande Metro services.

Express Avenue

Royapettah · premium central mall

A premium, central and walkable mall — convenient everyday shopping for central-Chennai residents.

Khader Nawaz Khan Road

Nungambakkam · boutique strip

Chennai's premier dining-and-bar strip with boutique fashion and designer stores; genuine European-walkable density.

Nalli Silks

T. Nagar · silk sarees

An iconic silk-saree destination in the T. Nagar retail district.

Phoenix MarketCity

Velachery · largest mall

Chennai's largest mall with international brands, INOX IMAX and Luxe cinema, fine dining and modern lifestyle.

Pothys

T. Nagar · textiles & sarees

A major textile and saree emporium anchoring T. Nagar shopping.

Spencer Plaza

Anna Salai · historic mall

Older, historic mall on Anna Salai with an eclectic mix of shops.

T. Nagar

Retail heart · silks & sarees

Chennai's retail heart for silks and sarees — Pothys, Nalli, Chennai Silks and Saravana Stores; note it is low-lying and prone to monsoon flooding.

VR Chennai

Anna Nagar · modern mall

Modern mall with premium brands and dining, convenient for north-Chennai residents.

Adyar Ananda Bhavan (A2B)

Multiple branches · veg & sweets

Famous for ghee-glazed rava dosa and sweets; pure-veg with nationwide delivery for Chennai-style breakfast cravings.

Amethyst

Khader Nawaz Khan Rd / Besant Nagar · cafe

Boutique cafe and garden destination popular on the Khader Nawaz Khan Road and Besant Nagar cafe-hopping circuit.

Anjappar

Citywide · Chettinad non-veg

Go-to for fiery, peppery Chettinad chicken and meat dishes — a key non-vegetarian option in a veg-skewed city.

Brew Room

Besant Nagar area · specialty coffee

A specialty-coffee café on the Besant Nagar promenade café trail.

Buhari

Citywide · non-veg

Long-standing non-vegetarian restaurant, one of the few alternatives in Chennai's vegetarian-dominant dining scene.

Junior Kuppanna

Multiple branches · Chettinad

Popular for authentic Chettinad-style chicken and regional Tamil non-vegetarian cuisine.

Mathsya

Heritage · Chettinad filter coffee & dosa

Heritage Chettinad-household tradition for filter coffee and dosa.

Murugan Idli Shop

T. Nagar · idli & filter coffee

An institution for platonic idli-sambar and davarah-tumbler filter coffee — a Chennai breakfast pilgrimage.

Ponnusamy

Chettinad meat dishes

A long-standing name for Chettinad non-vegetarian fare — peppery, robust regional cooking.

Ratna Cafe

Triplicane · since 1948

Triplicane heritage cafe serving Chennai's most-loved sambar, ladled generously since 1948.

Ratna Café

Triplicane · since 1948

Home of Chennai's most loved sambar — a Triplicane heritage eatery running since 1948.

Sangeetha

Multiple branches · pure-veg

A trusted pure-vegetarian standby for idli, dosa and South Indian meals across the city.

Saravana Bhavan

Citywide · pure-veg South Indian

Iconic pure-vegetarian chain maintaining the authentic filter-coffee ritual; reliable South Indian breakfast across the city.

Wharf at InterContinental

Mahabalipuram, ECR · sea-facing dining

A Chennai classic for sea-facing dinners along the ECR at Mahabalipuram — ideal for a weekend treat.

Writer's Cafe

Besant Nagar · cafe

Part of the Besant Nagar promenade cafe culture, good for sunset cafe-hopping.

Writer's Café

Besant Nagar area · café

Part of the Besant Nagar café-hopping circuit popular for sunset-walk coffee stops.

Apollo Hospitals Chennai (Main)

Greams Road · flagship multi-specialty

JCI-accredited flagship for general multi-specialty, cardiac care and transplants — the original Apollo, founded in Chennai in 1983; +91-44-2829-3333.

Apollo Proton Cancer Centre

Taramani · oncology

South Asia's first proton therapy centre — the go-to for cancer treatment; +91-44-4401-6700.

Fortis Malar Hospital

Adyar · cardiac multi-specialty

Cardiac and multi-specialty hospital in a premium Adyar location, convenient for south-Chennai expat families. +91-44-4289-2222.

Gleneagles Global Health City

Perumbakkam · transplants

Multi-organ transplant specialist (liver/kidney) with a dedicated international patient desk. +91-44-4477-7000.

Kauvery Hospital

Alwarpet · premium central

A premium multi-specialty option in central Chennai with multiple branches and strong cardiac care; +91-44-4000-6000.

MIOT International

Manapakkam · multi-specialty

1,000-bed multi-specialty hospital strong in orthopaedics, transplants and trauma, with an international patient desk. +91-44-2249-2288.

SIMS (SRM Institutes of Medical Sciences)

Vadapalani · robotic surgery

A 360-bed multi-specialty hospital offering robotic surgery — another well-priced alternative; +91-44-4424-1000.

Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre

Porur · teaching hospital

175-acre teaching hospital with 800-plus beds and a multi-specialty international patient desk. +91-44-4592-8500.

Akshara Vaaghdevi

Sriperumbudur · IGCSE / IB

Modern campus closer to the Hyundai/auto-sector clusters — a good fallback for engineering-family postings.

American International School Chennai (AISC)

Taramani · US / IB Diploma

The most important international school in Chennai, US Embassy-affiliated since 1995; PK-G12 plus IB DP, primary choice for American/expat families. Operates 6-9 month waitlists.

Bhavan's Rajaji Vidyashram

KK Nagar / Kilpauk · CBSE

A reliable CBSE network with a strong academic track record; fees roughly ₹70k–1.5L/year.

British International School Chennai

Perumbakkam · Cambridge / UK

Cambridge curriculum with a UK education ethos in South Chennai — strong choice for British and Commonwealth families.

Chettinad Hari Shree Vidyalayam

Chetpet · IGCSE / CBSE

Premium dual-board school with a well-rounded curriculum and a strong sports programme.

Chettinad Vidyashram

RA Puram · premium CBSE

Founded 1986, a premium CBSE school with consistent top rankings and a strong cultural ethos; fees roughly ₹1.5–3L/year.

Chinmaya Vidyalaya Anna Nagar

Anna Nagar · CBSE

Strong North Chennai CBSE — the closest premium option for Anna Nagar families; fees roughly ₹70k–1.4L/year.

DAV Boys / Girls / Public Schools

Gopalapuram + branches · CBSE network

Highly regarded CBSE network across Chennai with DAV Boys Gopalapuram as the flagship; fees roughly ₹60k–1.5L/year.

KC High International School

Navalur, OMR · Cambridge / IB

Ranked #1 in Tamil Nadu offering Cambridge IGCSE plus IB DP — a strong international-curriculum choice for OMR-based families; fees roughly ₹8–13L/year.

Lady Andal School

Chetpet · IB PYP-MYP-DP

Heritage school (est. 1909) converted to a full IB World School, central and within walking distance of Nungambakkam.

MOP Vaishnav (Modern School)

Nungambakkam · CBSE / Matric

An established matriculation school with a strong academic reputation; fees roughly ₹80k–1.6L/year.

Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan (PSBB)

KK Nagar · CBSE flagship

The gold-standard CBSE in Chennai since 1958 with highly selective admissions and strong academic outcomes; fees roughly ₹80k–2L/year.

Sankara Senior Secondary School

Adyar · CBSE

Strong CBSE with a deep South Chennai catchment and Sankara Vidyalayas across the city; fees roughly ₹1–2L/year.

Sishya School

Adyar + Hosur · ICSE / IGCSE

Founded 1972; premium ICSE with a strong alumni network — the Adyar campus is a favourite for Indian-origin returning families.

The School KFI

Damodaran Gardens · ICSE / Krishnamurti

Krishnamurti Foundation philosophy school offering holistic education in very small batches, with a distinctive ethos.

Axis Bank

Citywide · resident savings accounts

One of the recommended banks for opening an resident savings account once your PAN and FRRO acknowledgment are ready.

HDFC Bank

Citywide · resident savings accounts

Recommended for opening a savings resident savings account on arrival — essential for salary, UPI and local transactions.

HSBC (Anna Salai)

Anna Salai · expat banking

Has a dedicated international client desk on Anna Salai with relationship managers handling resident savings accounts for expats.

Cognizant HQ

OMR corridor · IT headquarters

Cognizant's headquarters on the OMR — a flagship employer of the corridor's 5L+ IT workforce.

SP Infocity

Perungudi, OMR · IT park

A large IT park on the OMR corridor hosting multiple technology tenants.

Sriperumbudur Auto Cluster

Sriperumbudur · auto manufacturing

The auto-manufacturing belt home to Hyundai, BMW, Renault-Nissan and Daimler plants — the 'Detroit of India' employment hub for auto-sector engineers.

TCS Siruseri

Siruseri, OMR · IT campus

A major TCS corporate campus on the OMR — one of the corridor's largest IT employers.

Tidel Park

Taramani, OMR · IT park

A landmark IT park anchoring the OMR corridor and a key commute reference point at the start of the IT belt.

Zoho R&D

OMR corridor · tech campus

Zoho's R&D operations anchor part of the OMR IT corridor.

Boat Club

Boat Club Road · social club

Among Chennai's oldest social clubs, known for rowing, racquet sports and fine dining.

Connemara Public Library

Nungambakkam · heritage library

A historic landmark library in the central Nungambakkam district.

Cosmopolitan Club

Mylapore · social club

A long-established Mylapore social club useful for community and networking.

Elliot's Beach

Besant Nagar · calm promenade

A calmer, café-friendly beach with the Velankanni Beach Church and an active morning-walker community.

Fort St. George

George Town · 1639 colonial fort

Built by the British East India Company in 1639 — the birthplace of modern Madras and a key historical landmark.

Kanchipuram

75km west · temple town & silks

One of India's seven sacred cities with masterwork temples (Ekambareswarar, Kailasanathar, Varadharaja Perumal) and famous silk-saree weaving cooperatives.

Kapaleeshwarar Temple

Mylapore · 7th-8th c. temple

Centuries-old active Shaivite temple in Mylapore; modest dress expected and leather items removed at entrance.

Krishna Gana Sabha

T. Nagar · sabha

Well-known sabha among the 30-plus venues of the Margazhi music festival.

Madras Club

Adyar · heritage gymkhana

A heritage gymkhana club offering corporate or social memberships — a classic way to meet established Chennai residents.

Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)

60km south via ECR · UNESCO site

UNESCO World Heritage Pallava rock-cut temples — Shore Temple, Pancha Rathas, Arjuna's Penance and Krishna's Butter Ball; Chennai's iconic weekend escape.

Marina Beach

Central coast · 13km promenade

Chennai's 13km signature beach; sunrise (5:45-6:30am) is a public ritual of joggers, yoga groups and the fishing community, with sundal vendors in the evenings.

Marundeeswarar Temple

Thiruvanmiyur · active heritage temple

An active heritage temple in Thiruvanmiyur, popular in the southern coastal stretch of the city.

Music Academy

Royapettah area · Carnatic sabha

The premier Carnatic concert venue and a Margazhi season highlight — the most prestigious sabha in Chennai.

Mylapore Fine Arts

Mylapore · sabha

Mylapore concert hall featured among the highlights of the Margazhi Music Season.

Narada Gana Sabha

Alwarpet · concert sabha

A leading sabha hosting marquee Carnatic and Bharatanatyam performances during the Margazhi season.

Parthasarathy Temple

Triplicane · 7th–8th c. temple

A 7th–8th-century active Vishnu temple in Triplicane — one of Chennai's key heritage worship sites.

Pondicherry (Puducherry)

160km south via ECR · French quarter

India's French Riviera with the White Town heritage quarter, Promenade Beach, Sri Aurobindo Ashram and nearby Auroville; a 2-3 night escape.

Rohini Silver Screens

Koyambedu · single-screen icon

A famed venue for Tamil cinema first-day-first-show fan frenzy.

Sathyam Cinemas

Royapettah · premier multiplex

A flagship Chennai cinema for the Kollywood first-day-first-show experience.

Theosophical Society

Adyar · 260-acre green compound

A 260-acre tranquil compound anchoring leafy Adyar — a defining green landmark for the neighbourhood.

Tower Park

Anna Nagar · iconic park

The iconic park at the heart of planned Anna Nagar, a centrepiece of the suburb's green layout.

Yelagiri Hills

230km · hill station

Compact 1,100m hill station in Vellore district with cool weather and paragliding — a less-crowded summer reset for Chennai families.

IKAN vetted private drivers

Long-term driver · senior assignees

Many senior expats engage a long-term private driver; IKAN connects you with vetted providers used by other assignees — advised over personal driving for the first six months.

Ola Corporate / Uber / Rapido

Cab & bike-hailing · employer account

Set up an Ola Corporate account via your employer's travel desk; keep all three apps as supply varies by neighbourhood, with Rapido bike-taxis best for solo inner-city hops.

ACT Fibernet

Home broadband · 100-300 Mbps

Chennai's best premium home broadband, particularly strong in Adyar, Anna Nagar, Nungambakkam and OMR.

Jio / Airtel

Mobile / eSIM · SIM on arrival

Both offer eSIM; Airtel is strong in central Chennai while Jio has better OMR coverage. Bring passport and visa to any store to register.

Metro Water (CMWSSB)

Water utility · supply

Chennai's water board; verify the building's water-supply arrangement (Metro Water plus bore-well plus tanker) before signing, given periodic water stress.

Practo

Healthcare app · doctor booking

Best doctor-booking platform in India for GP/specialist appointments, video consults and lab-test home collection.

Tamil Nadu RTO

Statewide · vehicle registration

Where you re-register an out-of-state vehicle and pay lifetime road tax; an NOC from your previous state's RTO is the prerequisite.

TANGEDCO

Statewide · electricity utility

Tamil Nadu's electricity distribution utility (tnebltd.gov.in) for bill payment and outage reporting — set up auto-pay on arrival.

Urban Company

Home services · on-demand

On-demand vetted home services — electrician, plumber, AC cleaning, pest control and deep cleaning — the household-help backbone for working professionals.