Roti ✓ Kapda ✓ Makaan? Should young Indians still believe in the home ownership dream?
Jan 23, 2025
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Rona Kumar Gunjan, a real estate expert from The Ken, discusses the skyrocketing property prices in Indian cities and their impact on young adults. She highlights the dilemma of home ownership versus renting as financial pressures mount. Gunjan shares insights on shifting generational attitudes and the trend of moving back in with family. The conversation also touches on the challenge of finding reliable property builders and the emerging trend of reverse migration as many seek affordable living outside urban centers.
The dramatic rise in property prices and stagnant wages is prompting young Indians to reconsider traditional homeownership in favor of renting.
Young adults are increasingly viewing real estate as an investment rather than a personal residence, reflecting a shift towards financial flexibility.
Deep dives
The Rising Cost of Living and Its Impact
The rapid increase in the cost of living, particularly in major Indian cities, has created significant challenges for young adults aspiring to own homes. Over the past two years, property prices have surged by nearly 30%, while average incomes have struggled to keep pace, causing a widening gap between housing affordability and earnings. As monthly salaries remain stagnant, many individuals in their 20s and 30s are finding it increasingly difficult to plan for the future, leading some to reconsider the traditional dream of homeownership. This has resulted in young adults often opting for renting over buying, seeking more flexible living arrangements that align with their financial realities.
Shifting Attitudes Towards Homeownership
The allure of homeownership, once regarded as a significant milestone, is evolving among younger generations in India. Many young individuals now view real estate more as an investment rather than a personal residence due to the prohibitive costs associated with buying property. The discussions reveal that the traditional mindset, where owning a home was seen as the ultimate success, may be giving way to a more pragmatic approach that values financial flexibility and mobility. While there remains a romantic attachment to the concept of owning a home, its practical viability is increasingly questioned in the context of rising property prices and stagnant wages.
The Future of Urban Living and Migration Trends
The current housing crisis and escalating costs are prompting a potential shift in living patterns, with many young adults contemplating a move away from urban centers. This trend was observed during the pandemic when numerous individuals relocated to smaller towns or returned to their familial homes to escape rising rents and the pressures of city life. Experts predict that if housing prices continue to soar, a more significant emigration from cities could occur, particularly among those seeking affordable living conditions and a better quality of life. Such changes may also influence urban infrastructure development, as the demand for supportive amenities in these areas grows alongside population shifts.
Property prices across Indian cities have gone through the roof, up by nearly 30% in the last two years. This along with ever increasing rent and general cost of living has made planning for the future quite challenging for those in their 20s and 30s.
So has the idea of home ownership changed among the younger generations, like in many Western countries where more and more people are choosing to rent rather than buy? Or are we still attached to the idea of owning a home?
And what's behind these record-breaking property prices anyway?
Tune in to find out.
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Daybreak is produced from the newsroom of The Ken, India’s first subscriber-only business news platform. Subscribe for more exclusive, deeply-reported, and analytical business stories.
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