One of the benefits of moving into an established bustling compound such as Palm Meadows is the built-in networks that come along with it. Sure you can’t ever walk to the bus stop without makeup or avoid your neighbor but living here ensures that you are part of a bigger community and that can make your life a lot easier. From weekly social events, community discussion boards, food ordering groups, and sports, these are the ways you can be in the know about everything in Palm Meadows.
EMAIL GROUPS
PALM MEADOW LADIES
This Yahoo Group is the place to ask questions and get answers from the ladies of Palm Meadows. Looking for a new driver? Ask here! Have a great recommendation on where to get sheets? Let the group know! Have some gently-used furniture to sell on? This is the place to do it.
USED FOR: finding and posting staff, selling items, asking questions
TO JOIN: email Christine to ask to be added to the group
COFFEE MORNING
Every other Wednesday a coffee morning is held at someone’s house in Palm Meadows (and now neighboring compounds such as Windmills and White Meadows too) from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM. Women with their kids or alone are welcome to meet up and chat with friends and neighbors over tea and coffee. Women sign up to host at the beginning of the season and announcements about location and date are sent via this email group!
USED FOR: finding out when and where the next coffee morning is
TO JOIN: email Margrethe to ask to be added to the list
FACEBOOK GROUPS
PALM MEADOWS FACEBOOK GROUP
This Facebook group was set up for residents of PM and is used to discuss community issues such as electricity and mosquito problems, share contacts of handymen and other services, promote events happening within the gates and buy and sell items. Residents will regularly post photos from their evening strolls around the neighborhood.
USED FOR: finding out about local events, sharing personal pictures of the neighborhood
TO JOIN: search Facebook for ‘Palm Meadows, Whitefield Bangalore,’ answer the questions and wait to be approved
OTHER
ADDA NEIGHBORHOOD APP
Once you have moved into your villa, download the ADDA app, enter your villa details and soon you will be approved into the neighborhood discussions. People are identified by name and villa number, and you can search and directly message neighbors. The management will communicate with residents via ADDA including safety and maintenance announcements.
USED FOR: complaining about a PM issue, buying and selling items, posting staff, shaming people who don’t pick up dog poop…
TO JOIN: download the ADDA app and enter your villa number and details and wait for the management to approve you, for questions speak to the Management under Tennis Courts
WHATSAPP GROUPS
While there isn’t a Palm Meadows general WhatsApp, there are lots (and lots) of groups within PM: food delivery, sports, and activities, reoccurring events, school groups, nationality, etc. Here are just a few:
FOOD DELIVERY GROUPS
CHEESE
VALLOMBROSA CHEESE
DELIVERY: every one week-two weeks
TO JOIN: message Christine at 98864 79182 to be added
PORK AND SAUSAGES
MEISTERWURST
DELIVERY: daily
TO JOIN: message Gerhard at 96069 32201 to be added
FISH
AQUAMARINE
DELIVERY: Tuesdays
TO ORDER: message Jason at 99860 86392 to order
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
NISARGA SHOPPE
DELIVERY: Tuesdays and Fridays
TO ORDER: message Nisarga at 96201 28258 to be added
FRUITLAND
DELIVERY: Wednesday
TO JOIN: message Fruitland at 89049 81416 to order
BREAD
KRUMB KRAFT
DELIVERY: Tuesdays, and daily with at least one day notice
TO JOIN: message Krumb Kraft at 78299 15151 to be added
OVEN SPRING
DELIVERY: Fridays
TO JOIN: message Pierre at 99013 53623 or Ponanna at 98454 33436 to be added
SOUR HOUSE
DELIVERY: Thursday- Saturday
TO JOIN: message Selvan at 98940 62073 to be added
CHEZ MARIANNICK
DELIVERY: daily
TO ORDER: message Mariannick at 97394 06536
TARTS AND QUICHES
FABRIQUE DE TARTES
DELIVERY: daily except Sundays
TO JOIN: message Mubeena at 97408 46911 to be added
SPORT/SOCIAL ACTIVITIES GROUPS
DANCE ATTACK
WHAT: an hour of fun dance workout starting with a short salsa warmup followed by learning a salsa dance, and afterward move into learning a different style dance from Bollywood, Contemporary, Hip Hop and more. Dances are taught over 8 sessions with lots of repetition and revision. Classes are held in the aerobics room next to the gym
WHEN: Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6:00- 7:00 PM
TO JOIN: speak to the Club about booking in432
BOOTCAMP
WHAT: join a group of us here for fun and hardcore Bootcamp! A mix of different exercises including circuits, cardio, weights, games, etc., 3,350 rs. for 12 sessions, class held at various villas
WHEN: classes are held on different days Monday through Saturday mornings
TO JOIN: contact Karthik at 96208 71515 for more info
BELLY DANCING
WHAT: twice a week, 200 per class, class held in villa
WHEN: Tuesday morning 9:30 AM, Thursday evening 5:30 PM
TO JOIN: contact Saras at 97400 98417 or [email protected] for more info
AQUA AEROBICS
WHAT: aqua aerobics: fun in the pool! Class held at PM pool
WHEN: morning classes are M/W/F at 7:45 AM, evening classes on Tu/Th/Sa 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
TO JOIN: contact Abha at 99454 00623 to be added
YOGA
WHAT: looking to do yoga in your home? The lovely Sheetal teaches prenatal/postnatal and hatha yoga
WHEN: depending on your schedule
TO JOIN: contact Sheetal for more info at 91484 35276
ZENTANGLE DRAWING LESSONS
WHAT: Meditative zen-art classes that anyone can do!
WHEN: Weekly
PRICE: Rs 500 per lesson (+ Rs 250 for a starter kit)
TO JOIN: contact Margrethe at 88842 44411 for more information or to join!
There are a number of art classes which take place in Palm Meadows including Book Club, Photography workshops, Brush Lettering and more. Some of these occur on a weekly or monthly basis while others occur once every few months or when there is enough interest.
There are also a number of groups by nationality, such as the Svenska Lektraffar, German Pool Ladies, Les Francophones de Palm, Danskere i Palm Meadows and more.
OTHER GROUPS IN WHITEFIELD
BANGALORE EXPAT MOTHER FACEBOOK GROUP
This group of over 300 mothers was set up by a Whitefield Mom as a support and contact group for expatriate Mothers and families in Bangalore and surrounding areas.
USED FOR: asking questions, posting events and tips, connecting with other expat mothers
TO JOIN: Search Facebook for ‘Bangalore Expat Mothers Group’ answer the questions and wait to be approved
EAST/WHITEFIELD OWC GROUP
Members of the Overseas Women’s Club that live in the East meet up once a month at the Whitefield Marriott for coffee and snacks. They also have a regional Whatsapp group (on top of the other forums available to all OWC members) for discussion and questions. The group gets together for social events in the area as well.
USED FOR: meeting new people, going on outings, workshops etc.
TO JOIN: Become a member of the Overseas Women’s Club of Bangalore first, then ask to be added to the Whitefield Whatsapp Group, or contact East Manager Anju for more info
LADIES CLUB WHATSAPP GROUP
This WhatsApp group filled with Whitefield women is a great place to get a quick answer about the neighborhood.
USED FOR: letting people know about a new restaurant in Whitefield, posting items for sale, etc.
TO JOIN: contact Manami at 74063 06669 to be added
BANGALORE EXPAT FLEA MARKET FACEBOOK GROUP
We all have things we don’t need anymore- whether you have kids clothes that don’t fit, sports equipment you don’t use, or furniture you don’t like this is the place to sell it. Or buy something that you may not be able to go out and easily buy here!
USED FOR: buying, selling, swapping used items
TO JOIN: search Facebook for ‘Bangalore Expat Flea Market,’ answer the questions and wait to be approved
There are definitely many other groups available for various different things, have we forgotten anything good? Let us know in the comments below!
Main Photo by Marc Richards