Why You Should Prefer Serviced Apartments in India over Hotels?
Finding accommodation in India is no lesser than an adventure for expats. Especially in metropolitans and tier 1 cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Gujarat, the selection of accommodation gets narrowed down while competition remains high. In recent years, a significant rise in the number of travelers coming down to India has been noticed because of the flexible business policies by the Indian government. And, a drastic shift of interest from luxury hotels to professionally serviced apartments has been noticed among the expats.
Major accommodation-related problems faced by the expats in India
There is a mélange of reactions on living in India among the expatriates. Some are fascinated with the vibrant culture and lively lifestyle and an array of amazing food choices while some find it a nightmare due to various reasons. The most common problems faced by expats in India while finding accommodation and living here are:
Getting the Right Accommodation and Paperwork Associated with it
Expats who visit India for industrial or business purposes find it difficult to get comfortable accommodation near to the workplace or business site. Proximity always remains a prime concern for expats visiting India. It can be difficult to cope up with the distance, rough roads, time-consuming journey and some other struggles. Also, if an expat finds a place near to his workplace, there are endless paper works, the involvement of property agents, law professionals and whatnot.
Food Choices
Of course, Indian food is yummy but all the people visiting India may not find the choices suitable or easy to digest. Indians can digest rich foods like Butter chicken masala, butter paneer, mutton curry, tadka and so forth for people coming from the origins where lesser amount of spices are preferred may fall sick after eating such rich foods every day.
Medical Attention
Medical attention is a prime issue that bothers even Indians. Finding a reputed local clinic or hospital in the case of a medical emergency is not an easy task in India. On top of that, the availability of doctors and beds in odd hours is another big concern.
Getting Around
If an expat visits India for a couple of months or a year or so, buying a vehicle is not a wise decision. Public transports in India are a big NO for expats because of the crowd, suffocating environment, pollution and discomfort. Car rentals are still a better choice but then again, it may be difficult to rely on the professionalism of cab drivers. To reach a destination, you need to mention the exact location and in case of some trouble with the route, it may be an uphill task to communicate with the driver and explain him everything since the place is completely unknown for the expat.
Language and Social Circle
One of the major issues an expat faces in India is communication with local people and adjusting with the social circle. It’s not necessary that all the balls will fall in your court. If you are an expat in India, either you will have to tackle with the distance in case of rental apartments or difficulty in finding like-minded people or communicating with local folks.
Cost of Living
Living in a premium or a 5-star hotel for a long time may cost a fortune. And, so is choosing a lavish villa or apartment in a posh area. And then comes the cost of food, monthly maintenance and miscellaneous expenses. Even after spending big bucks, you may not find all the amenities that you had expected for an easy-breezy stay in India.
What is a Serviced Apartment for Expats?
After arriving in India, expats will find a number or property types including residential plots, flats and apartments, bungalows, villas, row houses and more to meet the needs of every demographic. However, for expats, who arrive in India for a few years, all the property options don’t fit the bill. Serviced apartments are specially made for tourists, medical tourists or expats coming to a different country and looking for accommodation for a specific period of time. These apartments are completely well-equipped and maintained with an optional arrangement for food. In India, there are many professional services like Relomi Ikan that make it easier for expats to find comfortable, safe, hygienic and cost-effective accommodations.
How a Serviced Apartment is Different from Ordinary Rental Apartments?
Ordinary rental apartments are the accommodations that require a local real estate agent in the first place. Then an expat coming to India needs to sign a lease agreement. A serviced apartment is a special type of accommodation especially designed and maintained for expats coming to India for travel, leisure or business purposes. There is always flexibility with the term of stay. Completely equipped kitchen, well-organized living area, clean and equipped bathing area, emergency support, security and more benefits are some highlights of a serviced apartment.
Reputed organizations like Relomi Ikan act as one-stop place for arranging a serviced apartment. Rather than going here and there for minor jobs, expats can leverage the security, transportation, housekeeping, domestic maintenance, food and other amenities at one place only. All the professionals assigned to cater to the needs of an expat are police-verified and highly skilled. These apartments are cost-effective in comparison to lavish hotels or lavish villas or rental apartments.
Tips While Choosing a Ready to Move in Serviced Apartment in India
There is a plethora of property consulting companies in India and many of them provide serviced apartments to expats. Choosing a serviced apartment just seeing a cheap price or Google reviews or recommendations may not be enough. Understanding the reputation of the company and its services is very important. It is suggested that an expat must verify a company’s website, history, policies and terms and conditions before settling for a professional service. Make sure the amenities like parking, lifts, air-conditioning, building amenities, housekeeping, security, laundry, transport, dining and other major requirements are checked. Always prefer proper legal documents over verbal assurance.