25 #Best #Retirement #Destinations in #India.

One question that I have received several times since I started this blog is about the best retirement destinations in India.

In India, most retirees can’t think of moving away from their fatherland and wish to live close to their family and children for the rest of their lives But times have changed and many people now want to retire on their own terms and at a place of their choice. Retirees from other countries, both Indian and foreigners, are also looking at India as an interesting retirement destination.

As a result, this question is likely to come up more often.

I have tried to list a number of good places for a retiree in India. Any such list is sure to be very subjective for a country as vast as India. I used the following guidelines to select places for this list:

1. Own health – hospital, medical insurance, proximity, anticipated morbid life & need for assisted living

2. Own available fund for buying property & recurring expenses till end of life for self & spouse.

3. Social need & network –need for socializing (high, medium, low, very low etc)

3a. friend 

3b. relatives – quality of relationship 

3c. children –dependability, convenience, number of kids 

4. Hobby & recreation- tennis, golf, cycling, badminton, swimming, Yoga, club activity & availability of membership, community club.

5. Tolerance levels - quiet place, club facility, noise level, place to walk jog exercise, mobility, need for communication, travel requirement, public transport , nearest airport, station, public library, religious place, nearest shops stores, house or apartment community etc

6. Climate friendliness – cold, moderate, hot

7. Location – hill, river, sea, forest, population and property costs, cost of living etc

8. Law & order

9. Culture changes, acceptability of local population, language requirement 

10. Partial employment, philanthropic activity etc

11. Own taste, temperament, style

12. Infrastructure – power failures, water scarcity, Internet connectivity,

Here I put together a list of places that are best suited for retirement in India.

1. Chandigarh:Different from most urban locations in India, Chandigarh is one of the best places for the retirees to settle in. The place holds the reputation of being the first ever planned city of India. Chandigarh is the capital of Punjab and Haryana, the two giant northern states, and has proximity to Himachal Pradesh, the state of beautiful hill stations having the best weather conditions. It has everything from finely designed roads, pedestrian plazas and streets to good sources of entertainment. Chandigarh offers best healthcare facilities and is well-connected to all major cities of the country. Chandigarh is a booming town with the country's highest per capita income. It is also considered as one of the safest places in India, since it has the lowest crime rate compared to any other Indian city

Consistently topping charts for being the wealthiest, cleanest and most livable cities of the country, this Union Capital of Punjab and Haryana has proven to be one of the best cities to move to. Striking the golden balance between work life and social life, it is at the same time a place for the young blood to test their mettle and the older one to settle down after retirement. The first planned city of India, Chandigarh certainly promises a bright future.

2.Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu:Set in the heart of spectacular Nilgiris mountain ranges, and its proximity to Ooty the world-famous hill station Coimbatore has always figured among the best tourist places in India. It is modern, yet rich in historical importance. It’s also popular among retirees, especially defense personnel. Apart from its scenic geography and naturally tranquil environment, Coimbatore now offers good medical and hospitality services.The plus points of living here include the low cost of living, reduced pollution, good year-round climate and a cosmopolitan culture.Compared to other industrial hubs such as Chennai, land is relatively cheaper here. . It is also well connected to major cities and towns, via road, rail and air. In terms of other features like climate, Coimbatore has a pleasant, salubrious climate due to its proximity to thickly forested mountain ranges. It has mild winters and moderate summers.

3.Goa:Goa is undoubtedly a favourite holiday destination among people across different age groups. The laid-back life, cosmopolitan culture, fine climate and beaches make Goa the top most favourite retirement destination. This state, located on the west coast of India in the region known as the Konkan coast, is home to a increasing number of Europeans and Indian expats from abroad. In fact, lot of young Indians are shifting to Goa, to enjoy the easy early retirement life. Goa, the Portuguese colony earlier, is world famous for its beaches and is visited by countless domestic and international tourists every year. This is mainly because of its versatile climate and ideal location Due to gaining popularity as a desirable retirement spot and to cater to this growing demand, many retirement projects are emerging in different parts of the state. Colonies designed especially for retirees are located in areas like Nachinola and Siridao, which are quiet, pollution-free and safe. Goa is known for its laid-back, sociable culture and combined with good infrastructure and medical facilities; it serves as an idyllic location to spend your retirement years.

4. Pune (Maharashtra):Pune , with a total population of more than 4 million, is one of the largest cities in the state of Maharashtra. Many leading software and IT firms and companies are based in this city. The population is diverse and its nearness to Mumbai is one of the various reasons for it being a highly chosen retirement destination in India. In fact, the place has been known as one of the best and oldest retirement destinations in the country. Also, the living costs in Pune are lower as compared to Mumbai and other metropolitan cities. And now, this city offers retirees everything from ideal civic amenities and good healthcare facilities to affordable residential accommodations.

5.Bangalore (Karnataka):Bangalore, India’s IT capital, is a place where one find everybody around busy working most of the times. It’s a city where people are getting into frantic work schedules and cut-throat competition, trying their best to outdo others. Keeping the work environment and competition aside, Bangalore helps retirees find lasting peace of mind and this is why most of them prefer to settle down in this city post retirement. This city has the best hospitals, finest roads and quick connectivity to most other metropolitan cities. After all, the city is home to India’s top software companies and offers way more than what one requires to just survive.

6.KOCHI: With its pretty beaches and quaint seaside towns, this port city of Kerala, apart from being a major shipyard, is also a hot spot for IT and ITES companies. Kochi effortlessly combines the worlds of modern living along with traditional occupations. Due to its easy access of port, freshwater and banking facilities the growth of this second tier metro city in India has been exemplary and rapid. Many NRIs are now looking at settling down in Kochi post retirement. It has been rated as one of the top retirement places in India by most travel magazines and websites.

7.Kozhikode(Calicut):This harbor city in the Kerala was once the erstwhile city of spices and being close to the sea was a major merchant port. The beach town which is adorned by a beautiful coastline is also a perfect relaxation place after a long, hard day of work! Transforming like a butterfly the city is now a major mercantile port for all kinds of retail businesses! Major shopping malls and market, make it an ideal city for those looking to make a career in the sector of retail and manufacturing.

8.Mysore: Not until long ago, Mysore had a reputation for being quiet and sleepy city, but in recent years it has become an active location for IT companies. In fact, it is now being known as Bangalore's twin city. Even then, it still remains attractive for people who are looking for retirement destination. Mysore still has an old-world charm with its palaces and temples, and an easy lifestyle.Meanwhile, Mysore's infrastructure and real-estate profile has also undergone a major transformation. Aslo, the construction of Mysore-Bangalore highway has made Mysore more accessible.

Other features contributing to Mysore's real estate development is up-gradation of airport, doubling of the Bangalore-Mysore railway track and upcoming expressway which will connect Mysore to other cities.

9. Dehradun:Dehradun is a beautiful city located between the Ganges and the Yamuna, the two most sacred rivers in India. It is the centre of some top educational institutions. The city lies on the base of the great Himalayan ranges, offering good healthcare facilities and connectivity to all the top hill stations in Uttarakhand. It is because of its fascinating landscape, moderate climate and affordable costs of living that Dehradun has emerges as a popular retirement destination. It offers beautiful scenery and a moderate climate in summer. The town also serves as a convenient base for visiting the area's many tourist sites. It is close to towns like Haridwar and Rishikesh, known for their religious connections, and the hill station Mussoorie.

10.Mangalore (Karnataka):Mangalore - a growing city with a diverse population is known for its beaches, temples, and landscape dotted with coconut palms along rolling hills and rivers. Other nearby cities include Manipal and Udipi. It is an important city in Karnataka and is situated on the west coast. It is well connected by three major national highways, extensive rail network and airways. Apart from this, Mangalore has a rich culture and history and the overall quality of life is simple and easy going

11.Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh):Uttar Pradesh capital, Lucknow has a rich cultural heritage and is seeing fast infrastructure development. It is an ideal mix of old culture and modern amenities. The city is well connected by air, rail and road. At present, the domestic airport, with a parking facility for up to 50 aircraft, connects Lucknow directly with all major metros in India, including New Delhi, Patna, Calcutta, Mumbai, Varanasi and Bengaluru. Health care services are predominantly provided by government-owned tertiary care facilities such as the King George Medical University and SGPGIMS.

12.Jaipur:Jaipur, also known as the Pink city, is one of the finest planned cities of India. It is located in the semi-desert lands of Rajasthan, and has rich and exuberant culture.The very structure of Jaipur resembles the taste of the Rajputs and the Royal families. At present, Jaipur is a major business centre with all requisites of a metropolitan city. Thus, it manages to combine the old city life with all the major facilities of a metropolitan city.

Emerging out of its image of being a majorly tourism led economy; Jaipur has grown beyond everyone’s expectation to become one of the top globally outsourcing cities in India. The upcoming IT Park promises a great future for all companies looking to establish base here. Getting away for a weekend after work is one of the favorite pursuits of the working population here! Enjoying a healthy tourist inflow, your social life here will be both varied and enriching.

13.Panchagani:Panchgani in the Western Ghats in Maharashtra, along with an area off the Pune-Hyderabad highway, offers beautiful location for retirement. The real estate too is developed here with some high-end luxury villas and old-time houses.

Panchgani was originally popular with Britishers as a retirement city. It not just offers serene and beautiful locales, it also has beautiful weather throughout the year. Also it's proximity to Mumbai and Pune makes it even more attractive.

14.Pondicherry: Pondicherry, a former French colony is known for a laid-back lifestyle and a slow pace of life. The city still holds a remarkable degree of French influence and the place has been especially popular with French-speaking visitors and expatriates. Until the late 1980s most men from this community joined the French army and came back to Pondicherry post retirement. Pondicherry still makes a perfect place to own a retirement home. Own a retirement home, this trend is not popular but Pondicherry still makes a perfect place to own a retirement home.

15.Indore: Indore is a tier 2 city, the largest city of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh by population. It serves as the headquarters of both Indore District and Indore Division Indore is known for its architectural splendor. The tales of the glorious past are narrated by these splendid historical monuments and cast a magical spell on the visitors. Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar was a great architectural patron and spent a lot of money on the construction of many temples across the nation. The queen is taken in great regard by the people and as a tribute; her statue was built in the center of the city, near Rajwada. Apart from being a historical city, Indore is also the commercial capital of the state of Madhya Pradesh. Indore is a host to many industries, like automobile, textile, IT etc. With latest technological advancements, the city is about to become the IT hub of the state of MP. Other than this, there are a number of educational institutes in Indore which are amongst the best in the country. The first and foremost is IIM Indore, which is amongst the pioneer management institutes in India The increasing influx of students and people to Indore has given it a cosmopolitan lifestyle. As a result, Indore is progressing fast. It is famous for its food, festival and handicrafts. People are very simple here and enjoy life. So, one can say Indore is the most appropriate place for spending quality time and relishing the experience.

16. Bhopal : Bhopal like a phoenix after the great debacle of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, the city has fast emerged as the rightful center of economy. One of the greenest cities in India, Bhopal is beautified by its pleasant lakes like Upper Lake, Badi Jheel lake! The Van Vihar national park is a breath of fresh for those lungs clogged with smoke and pollution. A great city for media and engineering professionals, Bhopal has many a reputed heavy industries as well as Times of India, AIR, BIG FM within its vicinity.

17.RANCHI: The capital of Jharkhand, the beauty of Ranchi lies in its beautiful waterfalls and lakes! Dassam Falls that originate from the Suvarnrekha river fall from a awe inspiring height of 144 feet, even more exhilarating are the Hundru falls which cascade at an elevation of 320ft! Apart from these there are various places of religious importance to lend a feeling of immense peace. Choose this fast emerging urban landscape for it offers ample opportunities in the mineral and natural resources mining as well as heavy industries such as steel and coal.

18.SURAT: The ‘Diamond Capital’ of the nation, Surat has fast become the sparkle of everyone’s eyes. Relaxing beaches, (YES!), peaceful temples and an active cultural scene make it shine with promise for anyone looking for a respite. With ample prospects in the gemstone industry it is also one of the biggest textile manufacturing and retailing centres in the country. The infrastructure and a comparatively affordable cost of living make it an ideal choice for anyone who wants to get a taste of the Gujarati hospitality!

19.NAGPUR: Although a city with extreme climatic conditions, Nagpur is richly adorned with wildlife reserves such as Tadoba, Andhari, Pench and Nagzira all around it. For the wildlife enthusiasts, the city is an ideal stopover to set up camp. One of the fastest growing cities in India Nagpur has lived up to the claim with its MIHAN and SEZ projects. The MIDC area and the upcoming IT parks has made it one of the top cities to watch out for. The good news is that the cost of living is comparatively lower than other metropolises of its stature.

20.JABALPUR: Jabalpur city is rated most favorable city for retirement in Madhya Pradesh, Central India. It posses gifted natural scenic beauty of hills, ponds, river, water-fall, historical monuments etc. Considering the importance of location and connectivity through all major metro cities of India, Jabalpur city has been preferred as a gateway for wildlife tours of Central India. In every tour-program having Madhya Pradesh Tiger Reserves in their itinerary, Jabalpur is an important junction for the Indian Railways. Jabalpur is a large Defence and Military Center. Jabalpur is also known for housing spiritual leaders Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Bhagwaan Shri Rajneesh (Osho).

21.Champawat, Uttarakhand:A hill station that is minimally crowded and surrounded by mountain ranges and a river, Champawat can definitely be considered the best place to live in India. Its scenic views and tranquil atmosphere are what makes it such an excellent place to retire too. The weather is always pleasing here and its rolling terrains create an ideal ground for walks and treks. Champawat is one of those places that draw visitors all year round due to its climate and natural beauty.

Dalhousie

22.Himachal Pradesh:Himachal: Pradesh, a state in northwestern India, is touted as a popular destination for retirement. It offers vibrant mix of culture, history and beautiful locales. Some popular towns here are Simla, Dalhousie, Manali and Dharamsala.Here, one can also experience the Himalayas, espcially the remote valleys of Lahaul and Spiti, which are popular with trekkers from around the world.

The state also offers much for those looking to settle down. Himachal is one of the few states that had remained largely untouched by external customs, largely due to its difficult terrain.With the technological advancements the state has changed very rapidly. It is a multireligional, multicultural as well as multilingual state like other Indian states.

23.NASIK:This delightful town in Maharashtra is a classic blend of the past and the present. It is host to many fascinating forts and beautiful temples that possess an aura of exuberance. It's proximity to Mumbai and Pune and its comfortable weather, low cost of living and an easy laid back life makes it a favoured destination for retirees.

24.BHUBANESWAR: The capital city of Odisha, Bhubaneswar is one of the oldest settlements to appear in records and history books. The temples and long standing cave structures are perfect for the inquisitive soul in you! The best of worlds, ancient and modern, living in this beautiful place is a blessing. Due to its overall climate and living conditions, it was ranked by World Bank as the top city to do business in India! The future certainly looks brighter for all the entrepreneurs out there!

25.DIBRUGARH: With a salubrious climate and gorgeous paddy fields that grace this charming town, Dibrugarh in Assam is a fresh breath of air for the slick city lad! Who can hope for a better respite after a long, hard day of work than the inviting arms of nature?

Oil, petrochemical, power generation and of course Tea production are the mainstays of this once agrarian economy. Both ONGC and Oil India Limited have their plants in the region.