[Ilugc] [OT] moving from atlanta,ga usa to chennai
- From: girish1729@xxxxxxxxx (Girish Venkatachalam)
- Date: Sun Aug 13 11:16:40 2006
--- lyric hartley <leeslist@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hello/Vanakam?
Vanakam to you too!
This is pretty far off topic, but I figure that
touching base with the
linux folks I will be around is a good thing. So,
thanks in advance
for any advice.
Advice is the only thing in the universe
available aplenty and always free. :-) lol!
I am an American living in Atlanta GA USA planning
to move to Chennai
(Manapakkam) in jan. 07... I have (and will have) a
number of
questions about getting there getting settled, jobs,
cost of living,
state of linux and open source there... I am
currently a member of ALE
(altanta linux ethuthiast) and do a mix of perl
programming, system
admin. and build/release/source code management of a
network security
company here in Atlanta...
Dear Lyric,
First off a hearty welcome to you!
Ppl often speak of a culture shock especially in the
US context since fundamentally America represents the
active West and India represents the contemplative
East!
So please please come prepared. There are going to be
several things you will find outright stupid or silly
or meaningless.
By the same token we may also feel that way once we go
to USA.
But over time everything will be clear to you and
things will fall in place slowly and surely.
So my first advice to you will be to be open minded
and take things in your stride.
Chennai as a city has got a rich culture and tradition
and is very much representative of the Indian psyche.
However that said, it does take some time for a new
comer to feel comfy with the city.
Bcoz what you see outside is not what is inside and as
time progresses you will like the city more and
more...
Coming the state of linux and open source, I am sure
others can give you much more info as I am really not
quite clued in.
However my two cents will be that things looks very
vibrant and positive now!
There is lot of perl and sys adm work going on now.
questions
what is a reasonable salary to expect?
Well, if what you are describing is a sysadm job then
I am afraid I am not the right guy to comment. Already
Suresh has given you certain figures which should be
somewhat accurate.
However you should be able to do moonlighting and
consulting and make a lil bit of money. But be warned
that the market here is not so mature that you will
find that easy. I may be wrong here; pls someone
correct me!
what is the minimum amount of money in dollars i
should bring to get
settled (have a wife and 2 small kids)... If anyone
has a sample
budget they are willing to share that would be
great...
India has proven to the world how little a man can
have and still live happily. You wouldn't be surprised
to see folks here having just a morsel of food a day
and still be smiling and happy.
Anyway jokes apart my advice to you will be to bring a
few thousand dollars liquid cash to take care of daily
expenses and use your credit card for other things.
does anyone know of full house filter systems (or
what is the best
method for purifying water?)
You do get Aquaguard water filter for around 5 to 8k
rupees( less than 200$) that do a pretty good job of
filtering water.
cost of living? (2-3 bedroom apartment,
transportation, food, utilities.....)
Ah! Never ask ! You have the entire spectrum here.
Acco is never a problem though you may run into ethnic
issues. However posh localities with a sea view can
easily be had if you are willing to spend a few bucks
more. :-)
Transportation is quite good here by Indian standards
and even by Califorina standards. US is pretty bad
when it comes to public transport though I know not
about Atlanta in particular.
However buses are often crowded, you find it hard to
stand even sometimes and with the hot climate here ,
you get out all sweating and worn out.
Also buses do account for some time loss and
inconvenience anyway , so you cannot rely on them
completely.
The suburban railway here however is top class, close
to being the best in the country. Trains are not as
crowded as buses and the railway network is quite well
designed though there is scope for improvement of
course. Several places in Chennai still don't enjoy
proper train connectivity.
You can easily buy a good small car here by spending
7000$ and you can get yourself a BMW or Merc if you
prefer for a much higher price of course. :-)
Again, you have a choice. You decide.
this is at least a start....Thanks very much, it
looks like you guys
have a great group...I hope to see you soon!
Looking fwd to seeing you soon too!
Lastly I want to reiterate the fact that India is a
very different country and it is an ancient and deep
culture. Such multi ethnicity and diversity in
everything you cannot find in any nation on earth.
And Tamil culture in particular is also very ancient
with rich and colorful traditions. So please come
prepared for something completely different.
Difference always is somewhat painful for the brain.
That is the only thing I want to point out.
Yes, our group is always there by your side to support
you and guide you.
All the best!
regards,
Girish
Thanks/Nandri
Lee
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