Best Areas to Live in Chennai – Top 10 Localities
With so many places to choose from, it can be very hard figuring out the best locality to live in Chennai. It is, after all, a decision that remains with you for a while and can dictate your experience in the city. Our recommended list of best areas to live in Chennai has been given below to help you make this critical decision.
Anna Nagar – Clean, Organized and Elite
Anna Nagar Tower
Rental Prices
High
Public Transport
- Buses – Good Connectivity
- Metro – Served by Green Line (East & Tower stations)
- Suburban – Nearest: Nungambakkam/Egmore
Adyar – Green and Upscale
Adyar River
Rental Prices
High
Public Transport
- Buses – Good connectivity
- Metro – Phase 2 inclusion planned
- Suburban – Nearest: Thiruvanmiyur MRTS (~10 mins)
Besant Nagar – Relaxed, Premium, Beachside
Besant Nagar Beach
Rental Prices
High-Very High
Public Transport
- Buses – Good connectivity
- Metro – Phase 2 inclusion planned
- Suburban – Nearest: Thiruvanmiyur MRTS (~15 mins)
Velachery – Convenient for IT Professionals
Phoenix Mall at Velachery
Rental Prices
Moderate-High
Public Transport
- Buses – Excellent connectivity
- Metro – Planned for Phase 2
- Suburban – Velachery MRTS connects to major hubs
T. Nagar – Iconic Shopping District
Pondy Bazaar at T Nagar
Rental Prices
High
Public Transport
- Buses – Extensive network
- Metro – Nearest: Teynampet/Nandanam (~15 mins)
- Train – Mambalam Station is the primary hub
OMR – The IT Corridor
OMR Road
Rental Prices
Moderate-High
Public Transport
- Buses – High frequency
- Metro – Under planning for the stretch
- Suburban – Nearest: Velachery MRTS (Limited direct access)
Interesting Facts
- A 45km stretch from Chennai to Mahabalipuram.
- Key areas include Perungudi, Sholinganallur, and Navalur.
- Home to TIDEL Park and Ascendas, the heart of Tamil Nadu’s IT sector.
Porur – Fast Developing, Affordable
Porur Junction
Rental Prices
Low-Moderate
Public Transport
- Buses: Good connectivity
- Metro: Planned for Phase 2
- Train: No direct connectivity
Interesting Facts
- Important administrative center during the Chola period.
- Home to Porur Lake and the city’s first wetland eco-park.
Nungambakkam – Elite Area, Sports & Culture
SDAT Tennis Stadium
Rental Prices
High-Very High
Public Transport
- Buses: Excellent connectivity
- Metro: Nearest: Kilpauk/Shenoy Nagar
- Suburban: Direct Nungambakkam station
Interesting Facts
- Upper class hub since the early 20th century.
- Home to Valluvar Kottam, the monument for poet Thiruvalluvar.
Mylapore – Spiritual Center & Historic Temples
Kapaleeswarar Temple
Rental Prices
High
Public Transport
- Buses: Good connectivity
- Metro: Blue line (~15 min away)
- MRTS: Mundakanni Amman Kovil station nearby
Interesting Facts
- The name refers to the “Land of the Peacock Scream.”
- Famous for Katcheris and Dravidian architecture.
ECR – Peaceful, Premium Beachside Area
Kovalam Beach in ECR
Rental Prices
Moderate-High
Public Transport
- Buses: Good connectivity
- Metro: No current connectivity
- MRTS: Thiruvanmiyur station serves the start of ECR
Interesting Facts
- Spans 10-14 km along the coast.
- Known for gated communities and premium independent villas.
