India real estate: Affluent buyers shift focus from metros to lifestyle locations

Affluent Indian buyers, including senior professionals and entrepreneurs, are increasingly prioritizing quality of life over proximity to metropolitan hubs. While cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru have traditionally been the primary targets for homeownership and status, there is a growing trend of purchasing property in locations such as Coonoor, Alibaug, Coorg, and Lonavala.

This shift is driven by a decoupling of wealth generation from residential location, facilitated by changing work patterns. Despite luxury home prices in India’s top seven cities rising approximately 40% since 2022, buyers are noting that the premium paid for metro living often does not compensate for issues like congestion, poor air quality, and long commutes. This movement is described not as an exodus from cities, but as a rebalancing where careers remain tied to metros while homes are chosen for lifestyle preferences.