In this part of Outsourced to India: What Kind of Housing Will You Be Assigned to Stay In? I share with you the types of accommodations that are available to expats, repats, NRIs, those who come on short and long business trips and also those who relocate or return to India (R2I).

Guest house

There are no standards for what a guest house is. It may be a separate house or a separate apartment. It could be fully furnished. You may have the option of having your meals cooked or cooking on your own. Some guest houses that I’ve seen in colleges are like dorms or hostels. The guest has his or her own room with bed and bedroom furnishings, with or without a private bathroom. In any situation you may or may not have your own room. Assure you do not have to share or if you do, what are the particulars. You will need to clarify the arrangements.

Homestay

Homestays are homes where a family already lives there and usually tourists come to stay. It’s akin to the American bed and breakfast. Usually the people who own the homestay cook meals for those who stay there. Depending on the homestay they may cook meals throughout the day, or it may be relegated to breakfast only. (I think the accommodation that Todd in the NBC serial “Outsourced” lived in was like a homestay.)

Service Apartment

A service apartment has many kinds of set-ups. I do not think there is anything that is standard. Some of my friends said their service apartment was a fully furnished (along with stove, utensils for eating, cooking, etc.) apartment with maid service. It was a comfortable stay and very homely. However, in our situation the service apartment turned out to be an apartment hotel, with a kitchenette that has table/chairs, sink, electric water heater and fridge. Some service apartments may be in a regular apartment complex, or some may be like ours, a room inside of a hotel.

Hotel

This may also vary in what’s available when you are inside of it. Most hotels in India may not have a stove, microwave or kitchen amenities which we may find in some American hotels.

Separate House or Flat in Staff Quarters.

If you are a guest lecturer at a college, or get hired to work at a college or school in India, or select companies, you may be assigned to live in “staff quarters”. Most of the time, I have heard these quarters come fully furnished. Depending on your position you would have a host of household help - maids, cooks, gardeners and drivers.

Others

Yet to be discovered. Share your thoughts if your accommodation fell under this category.

Image Courtesy: www.sxc.hu

Contributor: nikada

http://authenticjourneys.blogspot.com/

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