Planning to retire? Take a look at India's best places

Post-retirement, most people would like to settle in a place that is easy and peaceful, yet is perfectly connected to the main city and offers good medical facilities and infrastructure.

Thanks to large influence of the West, many builders are focusing on building such idyllic retreats for one's later years, senior citizen homes are fast gaining traction among those who desire an independent lifestyle away from the humdrum.

Here we have put together a list of places that are best suited for retirement in India, keeping in mind it's proximity to the city, medical and infrastructure facilities, good location with interesting local activities and places to explore, safety and a cosmopolitan outlook with low cost of living.

...

Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh, a state in northwestern India, is touted as a popular destination for retirement. It offers vibrant mix of culture, history and beautiful locales. Some popular towns here are Simla, Dalhousie, Manali and Dharamsala.

Here, one can also experience the Himalayas, espcially the remote valleys of Lahaul and Spiti, which are popular with trekkers from around the world.

The state also offers much for those looking to settle down. Himachal is one of the few states that had remained largely untouched by external customs, largely due to its difficult terrain.

With the technological advancements the state has changed very rapidly. It is a multireligional, multicultural as well as multilingual state like other Indian states.

...

Mysore

Not until long ago, Mysore had a reputation for being quiet and sleepy city, but in recent years it has become an active location for IT companies. In fact, it is now being known as Bangalore's twin city.

Even then, it still remains attractive for people who are looking for retirement destination. Mysore still has an old-world charm with its palaces and temples, and an easy lifestyle.

Meanwhile, Mysore's infrastructure and real-estate profile has also undergone a major transformation. Aslo, the construction of Mysore-Bangalore highway has made Mysore more accessible.

Other features contributing to Mysore's real estate development is up-gradation of airport, doubling of the Bangalore-Mysore railway track and upcoming expressway which will connect Mysore to other cities.

...

Coimbatore

This southern state of Tamil Nadu, is well known for the Nilgiri hills and for its proximity to Ooty. Ooty, especially is attracting a lot of retirees.

There are also plenty of good hospitals to cater to the older people in case of an emergency. It is also well connected to major cities and towns, via road, rail and air.

In terms of other features like climate, Coimbatore has a pleasant, salubrious climate due to its proximity to thickly forested mountain ranges. It has mild winters and moderate summers.

...

Kerala

Located in southern India along the Arabian sea, Kerala is known for tropical forests, a fertile coastal plain, and its backwaters.

The peaceful and humble hospitality of Kerala will instantly win your heart. Besides the two bigger cities of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) and Kochi (Cochin), there are many other popular towns including Kozhikode (Calicut), Munnar and Varkala.

Many NRIs are now looking at settling down in Kerala post retirement. It has been rated as one of the top retirement places in India by most travel magazines and websites.

...

Nasik

This delightful town in Maharashtra is a classic blend of the past and the present.

It is host to many fascinating forts and beautiful temples that possess an aura of exuberance.

It's proximity to Mumbai and Pune and its comfortable weather, low cost of living and an easy laid back life makes it a favoured destination for retirees.

...

Chandigarh

Chandigarh, capital of the northern Indian states of Punjab and Haryana, has always been different from most of urban India.

With pedestrian plazas, fountains and streets arranged on a grid, the city has a very modern touch.

Chandigarh is a booming town with the country's highest per capita income. It is also considered as one of the safest places in India, since it has the lowest crime rate compared to any other Indian city.

...

Goa

It's undoubtedly a favourite holiday destination among people across age groups. The laid-back life, cosmopolitan culture, fine climate and beaches also makes Goa the top most favourite retirement destination.

In fact, lot of young Indians are shifting to Goa, to enjoy the easy early retirement life.

Located on the west coast of India in the region known as the Konkan coast, Goa is home to a growing number of Europeans and Indian expats from abroad.

...

Dehradun

The capital city of Uttarachal is a complete blend of city and hill culture. Dehradun is located between two of the most important rivers in India, the Ganges and Yamuna, with the Himalayan mountains in the north.

It offers beautiful scenery and a moderate climate in summer. The town also serves as a convenient base for visiting the area's many tourist sites.

It is close to towns like Haridwar and Rishikesh, known for their religious connections, and the hill station Mussoorie.

...

Mangalore

Mangalore - a growing city with a diverse population, Mangalore is known for its beaches, temples, and landscape dotted with coconut palms along rolling hills and rivers. Other nearby cities include Manipal and Udipi.

Mangalore is an important city in Karnataka and is situated on the west coast. It is well connected by three major national highways, extensive rail network and airways.

Apart from this, Mangalore has a rich culture and history and the overall quality of life is simple and easy going.

...

Pondicherry

This former French colony is known for a laid-back lifestyle and a slow pace of life. The city still holds a remarkable degree of French influence and the place has been especially popular with French-speaking visitors and expatriates.

Until the late 1980s most men from this community joined the French army and came back to Pondicherry post retirement. Its identity as a town full of French nostalgia is only half the story.

Even though, this trend is not popular anymore. Pondicherry still makes a perfect place to own a retirement home.

...

Panchagani

Panchgani in the Western Ghats in Maharashtra, along with an area off the Pune-Hyderabad highway, offers beautiful location for retirement. The real estate too is developed here with some high-end luxury villas and old-time houses.

Panchgani was originally popular with Britishers as a retirement city. It not just offers serene and beautiful locales, it also has beautiful weather throughout the year. Also it's proximity to Mumbai and Pune makes it even more attractive.

...

Jaipur

Jaipur, also known as the Pink city, is one of the finest planned cities of India. It is located in the semi-desert lands of Rajasthan, and has rich and exuberant culture.

The very structure of Jaipur resembles the taste of the Rajputs and the Royal families. At present, Jaipur is a major business centre with all requisites of a metropolitan city.

Thus, it manages to combine the old city life with all the major facilities of a metropolitan city.