01 — Getting settled
Where and how to live
The first real decision you'll make in Hyderabad, and the one everyone asks about most: which part of the city, and what kind of home.
Areas where expats live
Most international arrivals settle in the western part of the city, close to the IT corridor and international schools. A few names come up constantly:
- Jubilee Hills & Banjara Hills — established, leafy, closer to the older city and its restaurant scene. Longer commute to the IT corridor.
- Gachibowli & Kondapur — the heart of the expat and tech population. Good density of international grocery stores, clinics, and schools.
- Financial District / Nanakramguda — newer high-rises, shortest commute if you're working in that cluster.
- Kokapet & Narsingi — quieter, more villa-style communities, popular with families wanting more space.
Overall, where expats live is usually driven by commute and school pickup zones more than anything else — settle those two first and the neighborhood shortlist narrows itself fast.
Housing types
Three housing formats cover most of what's on the market for expats:
- Villa in a community — a standalone or semi-attached house inside a gated development. Usually the most space, and shared amenities like a clubhouse, pool, and security.
- Independent villa — a standalone house outside a managed community. More privacy and often more character, but you handle maintenance and security arrangements yourself.
- Apartment in a community — a flat inside a larger residential complex. Lowest maintenance overhead, and typically where the largest concentration of expat neighbors ends up.
Apartment communities tend to have the widest expat presence, simply because there are more units and lower entry friction than a standalone villa.
Add your community's specific recommendations here — which developments or streets people rate highest.
Furnishing a new place
Rentals are commonly listed as furnished, semi-furnished, or unfurnished — always confirm which fixtures and appliances are actually included before signing, since the definitions vary by landlord.
- Ask specifically about kitchen appliances, water heaters, and wardrobes — these are the items most often assumed but not included.
- Furniture rental services are common for expats on shorter postings and can outfit a whole home within days.
- For buying outright, ask other expats where they shop — delivery timelines vary a lot by store and by whether the item is in stock locally or made to order.
Ask about delivery ETA before you pay a deposit on furniture — long lead times are the most common furnishing complaint in the community.