Working women all over the country are shattering glass ceilings, climbing the corporate ladder and blazing the trail across industries. Working women, especially single working women are consciously looking out for peaceful and safe areas where they can live, work and entertain.
There are several factors women consider before choosing an area to live in:
Safety : This is perhaps the single most important factor that governs the choice of home for any woman. Whether single or married, working or not, women are unlikely to negotiate on the safety of their neighbourhood.
Proximity to offices and shopping centers : To save commute time, women seek homes that are closer to their place of work.
Proximity to schools : Securing school admissions is largely influenced by the proximity of one’s home to the school.
Commuting options : Easy availability of safe public and private transport is an important factor.
Healthcare facilities : Single women, or those residing with elders and children, give due importance to the proximity of hospitals, pharmacies, and clinics when deciding on a residential area.
Pricing : Last, but not the least, the pricing of apartments, both capital values and rentals, plays a significant role.
Chennai: The safest city for working women
According to a survey on the Quality of Living rankings made by global consultancy firm Mercer, Chennai has been rated the safest city for working women due to low crime rate and better law enforcement.
The city is also known to have reported the least number of rapes, dowry deaths, cases of assault and sexual abuse. Improved public transport along with the recent addition of the Metro Rail as well as the presence of reputed schools, retail centers, and health care facilities has raised the quality of living in Chennai.
On the back of infrastructural developments like the Outer Ring Road (ORR), Chennai has emerged as a prominent real estate destination. Here is a look at some areas that are considered ideal for women to live in Chennai:
Madipakkam
Located in south Chennai, Madipakkam is close to the IT hubs of Velachery, OMR, and Pallikaranai and most residents in the area are professionals working in the IT/ITeS sector. The area is situated along the 200 feet-wide road which connects it to Tiruchi-Chennai Highway on one side and OMR on the other.
One of the fastest growing suburbs in the city, Madipakkam is just 6 km away from the Chennai International Airport. Women can choose from a variety of apartments as well as villas in several gated projects in the locality. While gated complexes provide a safe environment, there are also several shopping centers, schools and hospitals in the neighborhood.
Capital Values (Rs/sq ft): 4,000-6,000
Medavakkam
A residential suburb situated in the southern part of Chennai, Medavakkam is surrounded by popular IT hubs such as Pallikarani, Perumbakkam, and Gowrivakkam. The area enjoys good connectivity via the ECR Link Road that joins it to the Velachery-Tambaram Main Road.
Factors that women find favorable in Medavakkam are wide internal roads and good connectivity to Old Mahabalipuram Road, Velachery, Pallavaram, and Tambaram. Moreover, the locality is also home to gated residential projects, IT parks, schools, entertainment facilities as well as commercial establishments.
Capital Values (Rs/sq ft): 3,500-6,000
Porur
A locality in west Chennai, Porur is home to several IT companies, manufacturing plants and chemical industries.
It is connected to established areas such as Nungambakkam and Guindy via the 4-km long Arcot Road. Located strategically at the junction of Mount Poonamallee Road, Arcot Road and the Chennai Bypass Road, Porur is a rapidly developing suburb.
Offering job opportunities across multiple sectors and industries, the locality is gaining popularity amongst working women. Prospects of the area are likely to improve with three upcoming IT SEZs.
Capital Values (Rs/sq ft): 3,500-7,000
Velachery
Situated in the southern part of Chennai, Velachery has witnessed tremendous growth due to the emergence of the IT sector.
It enjoys well-planned residential housing complexes along with wide roads. The area has many reputed schools, colleges, banks, convenience stores, and health care facilities. Velachery is located in close proximity to the Rajiv Gandhi IT Expressway and the Chennai International Airport is about 10 km away, accessible via the Nagapattinam-Chennai Highway.
The suburb offers proximity to IT offices, schools, colleges, bus and local train connectivity, good residential options, green surroundings and many entertainment options.
Capital Values (Rs/sq ft): 6,000-10,000
Adyar
Situated near the eponymously named river, Adyar is considered one of Chennai’s greenest and most scenic localities. The area boasts of good connectivity, reputed schools, and proximity to shopping areas, good restaurants, and recreation choices.
Adyar offers a variety of residential options, speciality healthcare and proximity to IT hubs. Well-connected with an efficient road transport system and infrastructure, Adyar is turning into a much sought-after neighbourhood amongst the female workforce.??
Capital Values (Rs/sq ft): 18,000-20,000
Conclusion
Chennai has emerged as one of the most important economic centres of India, giving stiff competition to other metros like Bangalore and Hyderabad.
The growing presence of IT/ITeS, healthcare and automotive sectors along with a safe image has put the spotlight on this southern metropolis.
Sound infrastructure and upcoming developments such as the monorail system, Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) and Chennai-Bangalore Industrial Corridor (CBIC) are further enhancing the prospects of prominent localities in Chennai.
This article is contributed by RoofandFloor , part of KSL Digital Ventures Pvt. Ltd., from The Hindu Group
