Delhi offers decent and affordable apartments in almost all areas. However, it is advisable to choose accommodation near your workplace to avoid commuting long distances in the mad traffic of the city. Driving at peak time could be more of a nightmare, taking a lot of time and effort.

Most expats prefer to live in South Delhi. This is because South Delhi offers good transport connections, decent and smart apartments and close proximity to most of the job centres. South Delhi is 20 minutes' drive to Connaught Place, and about half an hour to Noida and Gurgaon.

If one moves to Delhi before deciding if their current job is suitable, one can either move in with friends or rent an apartment. The areas that are mostly preferred by expats are Defense Colony, Green Park, Greater Kailash, Hauz Khas, Vasant Kunj, Safdarjung Enclave, Panchsheel Park and Gulmohar Park etc, all of which are in South Delhi. Gulmohar Park and Panchsheel are comparatively greener and quieter.

If one wants to study as well as take a job, Shanti Niketan, Vasant Vihar and Anand Niketan offer good options, as they are closer to Delhi University, South Campus. For single girls, a 'Paying guest' type accommodation in any of these areas can be both safe and comfortable until one finds somewhere to suit in the long term. Local property dealers can help find the best accommodation on a commission basis, which is normally one-month's rent or 2% of the house cost. National dailies, namely 'The Times of India' and 'Hindustan Times' and their supplements 'Times Properties' and 'HT Estates' provide information about the prevailing property rates in all areas of the NCR.

The Delhi Rent Act gives the specifications about the landlord and the tenant, states specifications of registration of tenancy agreements, standard rent, rent payable and other charges payable. It also clearly defines the duties of the tenant and the landlord and the recovery of possession under different circumstances. However rents vary from INR 5000 to INR 30,000. Houses are mostly unfurnished, except in a few cases.

Prior permission of the Reserve Bank is necessary for a foreigner to lease any immovable property for a period exceeding five years. No such permissions are required for monthly tenancies. Foreign personnel may be accompanied by their families.

Before buying an immovable property, one should consult a lawyer for all details of agreement and registration, the 'No-encumbrance certificate' etc. and seek the assistance of a registered property evaluator to ensure price quoted is the correct market value. All formalities according to the directions of the Reserve Bank of India must be observed.

Gurgaon and Noida are two major areas where most industries and job centres are based. Both these areas have beautifully-built apartments and villas that can be either rented or purchased.

One can try Lebarnum at Gurgaon; it's one of the best choices for apartments. Noida provides good options in sector 15, 39, 93 etc. Both these townships have excellent shopping malls and high-tech offices.

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