Areas and suburbs in Bengaluru

The best places to live in Bengaluru

One of the foremost concerns in an expat's mind when choosing an area or suburb in Bengaluru is likely to be the city's famously congested traffic. For many, the deciding factor when choosing a house to rent is proximity to work and schools to avoid wasting several hours commuting every day. Predictably, the most popular expat areas are those close to centres of business and international schools.

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Residential living

Jayanagar

Jayanagar is a largely residential area in Bengaluru and is bursting with culture. Its traditional feel with bungalows and low-rise housing can make for the perfect home for a well-off expat family. The area is calmer than the hustle and bustle of city-centre living and offers great opportunities for strolls in nearby parks such as Lalbagh Botanical Garden.

Whitefield

Whitefield is an IT hub that hosts the headquarters of many software companies. There are a number of modern apartment complexes and gated communities here. While expats usually find it easy to integrate into the communities at these complexes, good things come at a cost. Rental costs for villas and apartments in this area can be exceptionally high, though fortunate expats may be able to secure moderately-priced accommodation. Whitefield has several large shopping malls and excellent medical facilities. 

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Cosmopolitan areas

Koramangala

Known as an IT hub and software centre that’s well-connected to Electronic City, Koramangala is a cosmopolitan area buzzing with activity. It’s packed with restaurants, shopping malls, gaming arcades and live music venues. Noise levels here can be high, though, especially during peak office hours. Expats looking to live here will be able to choose between bungalows and luxury apartments.

Indiranagar 

Young expats looking for a hip and modern atmosphere with an exciting nightlife find that Indiranagar offers a fair share of restaurants, bars and craft breweries. This trendy area suits a range of expat needs, but not necessarily everyone’s budget; real estate in the area boasts high-end and luxurious living.

Kammanahalli 

Kammanahalli boasts a multicultural cosmopolitan suburb aptly nicknamed Kammanhattan. Close to international schools, restaurants and retail outlets, this area northeast of Bengaluru is suitable for young working professionals as well as families and students with a range of budgets. 

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Affordable areas

Yelahanka

Situated close to the city's Kempegowda International Airport, many of the expats who live in Yelahanka work in the vicinity. The area is a travel hub with easy connections to road-, rail- and air transport. There are temples, trees and lakes here and new developments are constantly springing up.

Malleswaram

Expats looking to balance their budget and desire for a truly unique Bangalorean experience can search for accommodation in Malleswaram. Reasonably-priced properties can be found in this area alongside a host of ancient temples, traditional eateries and markets.

Banashankari

Southwest of Bengaluru’s CBD lies the large locality of Banashankari. Expats find affordable housing in this area and stay well-connected to key parts of the city. Those looking for a neighbourhood boasting a peaceful lifestyle and an interesting history will be content with Banashankari, which is home to one of the city’s oldest Hindu shrines, Banashankari Amma Temple.