The Top 5 Retirement Cities in South India

Continuing our series of retirement cities in India, here we are with our next post on the best retirement cities in South India.

Coimbatore

Low cost of living, less pollution, and good connectivity make Coimbatore an ideal destination for retirees. Tamil Nadu’s second largest city, it is often known as the Manchester of India for its textile industry. Apart from this, Coimbatore is also known as an education hub with over 70 engineering, arts, and sciences colleges.

Lately, the city has garnered much attention for the famed Isha Yoga Centre, which is visited by people from across the world. This has made the city more cosmopolitan.

Connectivity: Coimbatore enjoys connectivity via three national highways, rail, and an international airport. To further enhance the accessibility, the ring road project is on the anvil.

Another plus point of Coimbatore is that it has a pleasant climate throughout the year. This can be primarily attributed to its location on the banks of the Noyyal River and surrounded by the Western Ghats.

Healthcare: The city does not disappoint on the healthcare front as well. Some renowned hospitals include:

• KG Hospital
• Kovai Medical Centre

Retirement communities: Serene Senior Living, Covai Care, Swasthya Retirement Homes, Aishwaryam Seniors Living Paradise, and Vedaanta Senior Living are some of the popular retirement communities in Coimbatore.

One can also go for regular apartment projects. On RoofandFloor, there are over 900 properties for sale in Coimbatore. Some of the leading developers like Salarpuria Sattva, Casagrand Builder Private Limited, and Sobha Limited have recently launched their projects in the city.

Read More: The Top 3 Retirement Cities in North India

Kochi

On the second spot, we have Kochi. A city where you can still see giant Chinese fishing nets, a 450-year-old synagogue, ancient mosques, and Portuguese and Dutch-era houses.

Connectivity: The gateway to Kerala tourism industry, Kochi enjoys excellent connectivity via two railway stations and an international airport.

The city also has a metro rail that starts at Aluva and goes all the way up to Maharaja’s College Stadium. There are also plans for the second and third phase of the metro rail.

Over the last few years, Kochi has also evolved as an IT destination. A major IT park, Infopark, houses multinational compares like TCS, Cognizant, Ernst & Young, and KPMG.

Healthcare: When it comes to healthcare, Kochi is one of the go-to places for the entire state. Some of the reputed hospitals include:

• Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre
• Sunrise Hospital
• Medical Trust
• PVS Memorial Hospital
• Lakeshore Hospital

Apart from modern hospitals, the city also boasts of several Ayurvedic centres.

Retirement communities: Graceland Foundation, The Verandah Gardens, The Paradise, and Riverdale Resorts are some of the popular retirement communities in Kochi.

One can also opt for regular apartment societies. On average, the capital values are in the range of Rs 3,000-6,000 per sq. ft. For the rentals, a typical 2BHK command about Rs 7,000-12,000 per month.

Read More: The 5 Best Retirement Cities in India

Mysore

On the third spot, we have Mysore. This one is my personal favourite. Why? Well, I find it one of the most enchanting cities in South India. Also, its royal heritage and magnificent monuments and buildings don’t fail to impress me every time I visit the city.

But what makes it a retiree’s paradise? First, it is a practical option for people whose children are settled in Bangalore.

Located at the foothills of Chamundi Hills, it is India’s cleanest city, as per the Urban Development Ministry. Also, the amicable weather makes it a perfect location to retire.

Healthcare: There are ample healthcare facilities in the city. Some of the popular hospitals include:

• Government Hospital
• Gopala Gowda Shanthaveri Memorial Hospital
• Columbia Asia Hospital
• Cauvery Heart and Multispeciality Hospital

Retirement communities: In terms of retirement communities, Covai Care has Covai @ Tapovan Solace Senior Care Centre in Mysore. However, one can find several apartments projects by leading developers at affordable rates. 

Vishakhapatnam

Next, we have Vishakhapatnam, also called Vizag. The largest city in Andhra Pradesh, it is the only city with a natural harbour on the east coast. It is also home to the oldest shipyard in India.

A popular tourist destination, it is known for its beaches. The pedestrian promenade along Ramakrishna Beach is pleasant for a stroll, and nearby Rushikonda Beach is perhaps the state’s best.

It enjoys connectivity via two ports, rail and airways.

Healthcare: Since Vishakhapatnam is the fastest emerging pharmaceutical hub in the state, it boasts of a decent healthcare system. Some renowned hospitals in the area include:

• Indus Hospital
• CARE Hospital
• Apollo
• Manipal Hospitals

Retirement communities: Goldage Retirements Homes & Hospitals is one of the oldest retirement community in the city. One can also find ample residential projects in the city. On RoofandFloor, there are over 370 properties for sale in Vishakhapatnam.

Pondicherry

On the last spot, we have another popular beach destination- Pondicherry. Apart from beaches, the city is also known for the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville, which draws large numbers of visitors every year.

Since the union territory of Pondicherry was under French rule until 1954, you can still find their influence on the architecture.

Pondicherry is connected to Chennai via the East Coast Road through Mahabalipuram. The city also enjoys railway connectivity to other parts of the country. Though there is an airport, there are not many flights operating currently.

The city boasts of robust social and civic infrastructure. Some popular hospitals include:

• Rani Hospital
• Be Well Hospital
• New Medical Centre

For advanced healthcare facilities, people usually prefer travelling to Chennai.

Retirement communities: Villefranche, Aishwaryam, Covai, and Serene Pelican are some of the known retirement communities in Pondicherry.

Read More: What to Check While Investing in a Retirement Home