Chennai- a city of beaches, traffic, humidity and a whole lot of history- is situated in the coastal state of Tamil Nadu in India. Some facts about the city like its humid weather are well known, but there are things that no one tells you about living in the city. Here are 18 things no one tells you about living in Chennai.
Mornings begin with coffee
Not just any coffee, but the coffee the city is well known for; filter coffee. What’s the difference between the two you ask? Everything. Once you try it, you may not want to go back to instant coffee powder. Coffee and a copy of the day’s newspaper make for an amazing morning in Chennai.
The beaches are amazing
The beaches- from Marina Beach to Besant Nagar’s Elliot Beach to Pebble Beach- are a big deal in Chennai. Whether it a be a date or a way to lift up a low mood, Chennai beaches are an amazing place to be.
Local history is well documented
The city- originally known as Madras- developed from a small fishing village to a lively metropolis, but the history of the city still remains. A walk through one of the city’s neighbourhoods George Town- from where Chennai’s development began in the 1640s- reveals a lot of old settlements.
You get a lot more than dosa and idli in Chennai
Dosa – a pancake made from fermented batter- and idli- a rice cake- are both popular dishes in the South Indian city. But contrary to popular belief, there’s a lot more food, especially street food, available in the city.
Cafes are more popular than bars
Chennai may not be home to the best bars and pubs, but it more than makes up for it with its amazing selection of cafes. From the Flower Power Tea Room- a UK inspired café to the French café Amethyst, you will be spoiled for choice.
Tamil is a hard language to learn
The official language in the city has a rich history, but man is it hard to learn. There are eight different ways to say the letter ‘L’ and five to say the letter ‘N’, but they’ll all sound the same to you!
The stand-up comedy scene is quite big in Chennai
With theatre groups providing a strong foundation for stand-up, there won’t be any opportunity missed in the city to tickle your funny bone.
The cinemas are a popular haunt for the locals
With affordable ticket prices, the movies are a perfect place to spend your time in Chennai. With a law that keep the prices low, you get enjoy films at quality cinema complexes.
Finally, A Great Place to Live
Through numerous modalities, including roads, railroads, airports, and seaports, apartments in Chennai are well connected to all significant cities and states. The Port of Chennai is the second-largest commercial port in India and the third-oldest of the country's major ports. Additionally, there are many interconnecting roads that make it simple and convenient to commute both inside and outside of the city. Buses, taxis, auto rickshaws, sharing cars, local trains, and the new metro trains are just a few of the many public transit options that are available, and their frequency is seamless. Compared to other cities, this one has significantly less traffic, making commuting considerably simpler and less stressful.