List of Best Places to Live after Retirement in India

Retirement is the part of a person’s life when they choose to leave their work-life behind permanently.  Many retirees set sail on voyages around the globe, while some confine themselves to their home as per their preferences. However, in the age of economic instability and rising inflation, money loses value and thereby increases retirement costs. In such a scenario, it is beneficial to look out for one of the best places to live after retirement in India to ensure a comfortable retired life. 

Points to Consider Before Searching for the Best Places to Live after Retirement 

Although retirement refers to the period when you are officially free from work related worries, it comes with certain financial worries. Pensions and lifetime savings are the only sources of income for most retirees. Moreover, medical complications and emergencies can also arise during this period, thus raising expenses. You may want to start a new venture or travel the world or want to fulfil commitments like a child’s higher education or wedding, adding to expenses.

Certain points you should consider before shifting to any of the best places to live in India after retirement are as below:

• Cost of living: Cost of living is a statistic to define your monthly expenses adhering to a certain standard of living in a particular place and time. Housing, food, healthcare, clothing, entertainment, and transportation expenses are factors affecting cost of living. 
• Climate and air quality: While some retirees prefer a bustling metro city, others might choose an isolated hill station to spend days after retirement. So, take into account the climate conditions of the city you are finalising for retirement.
• Presence of medical facilities: While looking for an Indian city to shift to after retiring, you must check for the availability of medical and emergency services in that area. The city must have affordable and accessible hospitals, nursing homes, and emergency care units. 
• Crime rate to gauge the safety: Safety is an essential factor determining a city’s liveability. Consider the average crime rate and the efficacy of the police system in that state before choosing to settle down.
• Availability of government facilities and public transport: Look for a city that has a plethora of government facilities. The government provides many public services that are needed in day-to-day life. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure universal access to public facilities. Public facilities include schools, healthcare, colleges, electricity, sanitation, safe drinking water, etc. Also, public transportation is one of the important facilities to consider before choosing a city to retire in. Consider a city that  is well connected by road, rail, and air.

How to Plan Your Retirement?

Most people dream of a relaxed and comfortable life after working hard till a certain age. For leading a stress-free retired life, you must plan for retirement in advance.. Planning your retirement involves:

• Understand retirement time horizon
• Determine retirement spending needs
• Calculate After-Tax Rate of Investment Returns
• Assess Risk Tolerance vs. Investment Goals
• Stay on Top of Estate Planning

Top 10 Cities in India to Live After Retirement

If you are looking for the best places to live in India after retirement, here are 10 Indian cities you can consider: 

1. Chandigarh

Chandigarh is a senior citizen’s haven, India’s first planned city with excellent connectivity, and a pollution-free environment. 

• Cost of Living: Mid to High (for a family of four) 
• Liveability of Community: Good
• Life Quality Index: Excellent
• Monthly rent: 20k to 40k for a 2-3 BHK apartment
• Air quality: Good
• Climate: Humid subtropical climate
• Connectivity: Good
• Public transportation: Good
• Medical facilities: Available 24*7
• Banks and financial institutions: Situated throughout the city

With a low crime rate and its vicinity to the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh is an ideal place to settle after retirement. Major Indian cities like Delhi and Amritsar are not very far from Chandigarh. Additionally, the city is cleaner than most Indian cities, with lesser pollution. Chandigarh houses several hospitals and medical facilities like Fortis and Shri Ram Multispeciality Hospital.  

2. Dharamshala

As an abode of monasteries, mountains, and picturesque landscapes, Dharamshala presents an excellent opportunity to retire.

• Cost of Living: Moderate
• Liveability of Community: Good
• Life Quality Index: Good
• Monthly rent: 12k – 20k for a 2 BHK apartment
• Air quality: Good
• Climate: Monsoon influenced, humid subtropical climate
• Connectivity: Moderate
• Public transportation: Average
• Medical facilities: Below Average
• Banks and financial institutions: Moderate

Accommodation is cheaper than in most North Indian cities, and the co-working culture is fast growing. Unlike many Indian cities, Dharamshala is safe, and the city has an overall religious aura that results in low crime rates. However, since the availability of public transport and medical facilities is sparse, you should think again before deciding. 

3. Jaipur

The Pink city is gaining popularity as a city to retire in, thanks to a bustling commercial zone and vibrant health clubs.

• Cost of Living: Moderate to high
• Liveability of Community: Average
• Life Quality Index: Good
• Monthly rent: 16k – 25k for a 3BHK apartment
• Air quality: Moderate
• Climate: Dry
• Connectivity: Good
• Public Transportation: Moderate
• Medical facilities: Good
• Banks and financial institutions: Good

Jaipur offers all the amenities you will require to settle – affordable accommodation, excellent medical facilities, and prominent public transportation.  The low cost of living, tasty food, friendly locals, and breathtaking views attract people from all over the country. While the climate here can be a bit hot at times, retirees will enjoy the peaceful environment here.

4. Pune

Some consider Pune the most liveable Indian city, especially for students and retirees.

• Cost of Living: Moderate to High (for a family of four)
• Liveability of Community: Good
• Life Quality Index: Moderate to Good
• Monthly rent: 15k – 40k for a 2/3 BHK apartment
• Air quality: Moderate
• Climate: Temperate
• Connectivity: Good
• Public Transportation: Good
• Medical facilities: Excellent
• Banks and financial institutions: Good

With a vibrant elderly community and fashionable lifestyle, you may consider shifting to Pune after retirement.   

5. Dehradun

The beautiful hills around Dehradun make it one of the most popular retirement destinations in India. 

• Cost of Living: Moderate to High
• Liveability of Community: Good
• Life Quality Index: Excellent
• Monthly rent: 25k – 40k for a 3/4 BHK apartment
• Air quality: Good
• Climate: Cold and dry
• Connectivity: Moderate
• Public Transportation: Good
• Medical facilities: Good
• Banks and financial institutions: Good

Situated closer to the mountains, the decision to retire in Dehradun can be a comfortable one. Despite the slightly impaired connectivity, the city has multiple health clubs, especially for senior citizens. 

6. Mysore

Mysore is famous for its rich cultural heritage spanning from pre-independence times. Deemed a city of growing career opportunities, Mysore offers many options for senior citizens too.

• Cost of Living: Low to Moderate
• Liveability of Community: Good
• Life Quality Index: Moderate to Good
• Monthly rent: 16k – 25k (for a 3 BHK apartment)
• Air quality: Moderate
• Climate: Average (hot and humid)
• Connectivity: Good
• Public Transportation: Average
• Medical facilities: Average
• Banks and financial institutions: Good

The city offers a decent blend of scenic landscapes and places of historical importance. In addition, there are various super speciality hospitals, clinics, and diabetic centres around the city to take care of your medical needs. 

7. Goa

Known for its beaches, nightlife, and water sports, Goa is not just a dream vacation destination. It’s an ideal place to retire as well. With provisions for a better quality of life and a higher liveability index, Goan cities like Panaji, Margao, and Dona Paula are excellent retirement options.

• Cost of Living: Moderate 
• Liveability of Community: Average, depending on your location
• Life Quality Index: Moderate
• Monthly rent: 20k – 50k for a 2/3 BHK apartment
• Air quality: Good
• Climate: Warm and tropical but pleasant in places close to the sea
• Connectivity: Moderate
• Public Transportation: Good
• Medical facilities: Moderate
• Banks and financial institutions: Good

Although you will need thorough prior planning, Goa is relatively safer and is well connected to numerous other Indian cities. 

8. Rishikesh

Situated at the Himalayan foothills, Rishikesh is an abode of peace and comfort.

• Cost of Living: Low to Moderate
• Liveability of Community: Good
• Life Quality Index: Moderate to Good
• Monthly rent: 10k – 30k for a 2/3BHK apartment
• Air quality: Good
• Climate: Continental (cool and not humid) 
• Connectivity: Good
• Public Transportation: Good
• Medical facilities: Good with ample public healthcare units
• Banks and financial institutions: Average

With an inflow of thousands of foreign tourists throughout the year, Rishikesh is probably the best place to live after retirement in India. There is nothing quite like Rishikesh to receive spiritual guidance. It is also a popular destination for alternative medicine including Ayurveda and Naturopathy. Moreover, having multiple health clubs and yoga centres makes staying active in Rishikesh easier. Rishikesh is also much cheaper than major Indian cities in terms of accommodation and daily activities.  

9. Mumbai

Mumbai is rightly called the cultural capital of India owing to a booming music and film industry. However, the city is extremely populated, which might be to your liking if you like the hustles and bustles of a metropolitan city. 

• Cost of Living: High
• Liveability of Community: Moderate
• Life Quality Index: Low
• Monthly rent: 50k – 100k for a 2/3 BHK apartment
• Air quality: Satisfactory
• Climate: Moderate with extreme rainfall in the monsoon
• Connectivity: Good
• Public Transportation: Excellent
• Medical facilities: Excellent
• Banks and financial institutions: Good

Although you can receive the best medical facilities and can have access to an excellent public transport system, Mumbai’s living conditions might not suit everyone. Make sure to assess your preferences carefully before shifting to this city. 

10. Delhi 

Students or young professionals prefer working and residing in Delhi. Senior citizens can decide to retire in Delhi, if they want access to easy transportation and world-class amenities of India’s capital city. 

• Cost of Living: Moderate to High
• Liveability of Community: Average
• Life Quality Index: Average to Low
• Monthly rent: 30k – 60k for a 2/3BHK apartment, depending on the location
• Air quality: Bad
• Climate: Hot and dry in summers, very cold in winters. 
• Connectivity: Good
• Public Transportation: Excellent 
• Medical facilities: Good
• Banks and financial institutions: Good

With excellent connectivity and medical facilities, Delhi is suitable for senior citizens, although the high crime rates and ever-growing pollution might make it unliveable for some retirees. 

Things to Keep in Mind before Deciding to Shift

The choice of retirement is dependent on factors already discussed. However, with the growing rate of pollution, the population in most Indian major cities and towns poses a potential threat to living a peaceful life. In addition, metro cities like Delhi, Kolkata, and Bangalore face the problem of overcrowding, poor water supply, drainage systems, power shortages, and rising crime rates.

Also, the rising cost of living in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore is evident from the growing rate of daily expenditures. Therefore, a retiree might not be comfortable shifting to a new location and facing a sudden rise in expenses . 

Final Word

Despite the potential problems associated with settling in a new city after retirement, you should make informed choices based on the above mentioned points.. Make sure your investment plans support your new dwelling place while you fulfil your dreams and aspirations. That said, choose wisely among the best places to live after retirement in India.

Frequently Asked Questions