Clean Air and Open Spaces Drive India’s Luxury Second-Home Housing Boom
India’s luxury housing market is witnessing a decisive shift as affluent buyers increasingly prioritise clean air, open land, and low-density living over traditional city-centric homes. What began as a pandemic-led behavioural change has now evolved into a long-term lifestyle preference, reshaping demand for villas and plotted developments beyond metro limits.
Deteriorating air quality in major cities has accelerated interest in leisure and peri-urban destinations such as Goa, Alibaug, Coonoor, Kasauli, and Khopoli. These locations offer not just scenic value but a healthier environment, making them viable for extended stays rather than occasional getaways. Hybrid work models have further strengthened this trend by enabling professionals to live and work remotely for months at a time.
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Industry data underscores the momentum. Developers have acquired more than 2,300 acres across 23 Indian cities in the past 18 months, with nearly 38% of this land dedicated to plotted and low-rise residential projects. This reflects growing confidence in organised, low-density formats as a sustainable segment within luxury real estate.
Buyers today are focused on expansive private open spaces, proximity to nature, reliable connectivity to metros, and managed communities with predictable maintenance. Luxury second homes are increasingly seen as seasonal living solutions, particularly during peak pollution months, rather than short-term leisure assets.
As demand matures, established developers are aligning supply toward gated plotted developments and premium villa communities. For affluent Indians, clean air has emerged as the newest luxury benchmark, positioning second homes as long-term investments in health, lifestyle quality, and family well-being, with institutional participation expected to deepen further.
