Some people will live and die for a city. I am not one of them – and I will objectively analyze which city is a best fit for me – a 30+ year old dad, techie, non-pub hopper, digs Chettinad food and Saravana Bhavan, and who enjoys the beach. By now you know where my allegiance is 🙂
Beach Vs Mall
The beach might not be how it used to be 10 years back – but still the salty air and cool breeze are the same. No one can prevent the breeze from hitting me – and every time I go to Beasant Nagar beach it reminds me one of the fun times I had there – late night cricket, intellectual and mushy exchanges…numerous.
When I go to a mall I get blinded, suffocated and when I come out I feel drained of my energy and am happy to get out of the mall.
Chennai : 1
Bangalore : 0
Traffic
Traffic has shot up everywhere – even in tier 3 cities. Chennai traffic is still smooth like butter. You wait only once in any signal – lots of flyovers and smart traffic management ensures you keep moving. Bangalore – uggh. Driving is zero fun in Bangalore.
Chennai : 2
Bangalore : 0
Food
Chennai has got great food at affordable rates. Saravana Bhavan and chettinad joints are there everywhere – Karaikudi, Ponnuswamy, Anjappar – and you can get a tall Falooda for 75Rs ( in Anjappar ) with an umbrella. Try to get one like that in Bangalore for the same price.
However, to Bangalore’s credit the type of cuisines are endless – konkani, mangalorean,egyptian…you name it – it is there in Bangalore. It might be costlier than Chennai but I would award equal points to both.
Chennai : 3
Bangalore : 1
Chennai Super Kings vs Bangalore Royal Challengers
Awarding points to both. BRCs seem to be fighting back.
Chennai : 4
Bangalore : 2
Cars
Chennai wins hands down. I spotted 2 Audis in a space of an hour. There are so many Mercedes. And once I was sandwiched between 2 Mercedes – felt as if I was being escorted like a rock star. Bangalore? Too many indicas, sumos – and even if an Audi R8 pulls next to me I will not notice – I will think it is a figment of my imagination.
Chennai : 5
Bangalore : 2
Weather
Ahem. Heres where things get tied.
Chennai : 5 ( wanted to give a negative score )
Bangalore : 5 ( awarding a whopping 3 pointer )
Bottomline – it is a tough choice. You go where your career takes you – rest of the things you can compromise and live and hope things change for the better.
And finally to sum things up here is my haiku that I wrote when I was in Chennai.
Audi might have got its quattro
But Chennai still has its bovonto*
Dhoni might be from Ranchi
But he is now Chennai’s own Machi**
* Bovonto is a fruit drink looks black in color and bottle says – “does not have fruit juice or pulp”. Is as bad and unhealthy as a Pepsi or Coke and does not have an Amir Khan or SRK peddling it – but tastes fantastic. You can still find it in Chennai.
** Valid till he is bought by a Mumbai or a Kolkata team.
