Coimbatore, with its pleasant weather all through the year, stable cost of living, driving distance to hill stations, state-of-the-art medical facilities and cosmopolitan lifestyle has topped a recent survey by Serene Retirement Communities on preferred locations in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry for retirement, with a whopping preference score of 28%.
Chennai comes a distant second with almost 19% preference attributed to it. However, Chennai’s surroundings, such a Sriperumbudur, Orgadam, Mahabalipuram together get 12% preference score. A surprising 12% of the customers preferred Pondicherry as a retirement location, attributing it to the driving distance to Chennai, low cost of living, availability of medical facilities such as JIPMER and proximity to Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville.
The Trichy-Tanjore-Kumbakonam belt together garnered a 15% preference score, while Madurai and Tirunelveli together got 7%. About 5% of senior citizen customers preferred hill stations.
What does one want post retirement?
What does a person usually yearn for after a lifetime of hectic activities like marriage, work-related stress, trying to make ends meet, bringing up children and paving their way towards a good future? Obviously, a meticulously planned, comfortable retirement at the end of of a lifetime of hardwork, a haven to call one’s own, in which one can let the hair down, relax and enjoy the fruits of a lifetime of labour.
This, however, is easier said than done, and it does take considerable effort to decide on where to retire, as does the process of getting there. In today’s world, one is spoilt for choice, with myriad options at one’s disposal. Post-retirement, most people would like to settle in a place that is peaceful and yet, is well connected to key places and offers good medical facilities and infrastructure. Thanks to the huge influence of the West, many developers in India have now started focusing on building such idyllic retreats for one’s silver years. Communities for senior citizens are fast gaining traction among those who desire an independent lifestyle, away from the humdrum of daily life.
Emerging retirement hubs
Based on the following factors, Coimbatore is a place that is best suited for post-retirement life in India:
Ideal location, with interesting local activities and places to explore
- Good infrastructure, including medical facilities
- A significant retiree population
- Not excessively crowded
- A safe city, with a cosmopolitan outlook and openness to outsiders
- Reasonable cost of living
Coimbatore is located in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. It has been attracting many Indian retirees in recent years. The city is surrounded by mountains, including the Nilgiris, and is close to the popular hill station Ooty. There are also plenty of good hospitals to cater to the senior citizens in case of an emergency. The city is also well connected to major cities and towns via road, rail and air. In terms of other features, Coimbatore has a pleasant and healthy climate due to its proximity to thickly forested mountain ranges. It has mild winters and moderate summers.
Serene, India’s most trusted name in the retirement communities is a venture of Covai Senior Care Constructions Pvt Ltd. It is an ISO 9001:2008 certified company and is involved in creating homes, taking utmost care in designing, quality and services. It is a unique concept for senior citizens in their silver years and the projects are self-contained gated communities that provide all essential services for retired seniors. Freedom, dignity, independence, service, security and above all, care at all stages is what one gets in Serene Living projects.
A brainchild of Colonel (Veteran) A Sridharan VSM, an ex-Army officer, Covai Senior Care Constructions was established in 2001 with a vision to create quality homes, at an affordable cost, which meets customers’ expectations. They have specialised in Senior Care projects which have earned a name for themselves in providing freedom and independence to senior citizens with respect and dignity.
Serene’s retirement communities in Coimbatore are aptly named Soundaryam, Santhosham and Shenbhagam. The company recently launched Serene Rose ,opposite to Indian Air Force Station, Sulur, Coimbatore and Serene Urbana in Bengaluru.
The maintenance and support services will be strong and the residents will not have to worry about anything. 24×7 security and maintenance of the property will be taken care of by a full-fledged team of professionals. In addition, there would be a resident manager to address any issues of its residents.
Source: Times Property, The Times of India, Chennai
