KOCHI: Paul Johnson (name changed), a Keralite working for the United Nations in Vienna, recently built a 3,000 sqft home in Koratty, his hometown in Thrissur district. Though he and his wife are settled in the Austrian capital, they see their new home in Kerala as a place to spend nearly half the year after retirement.
“Our children see it as a way to reconnect with their roots. Additionally, healthcare in Kerala is more accessible, with shorter wait times compared to Europe. Many overseas insurance companies now accept bills from Kerala’s super-specialty hospitals,” says Paul.
He is not alone in this endeavour. At least 8-10 retired Malayali professionals with the UN have either built or are in the process of constructing homes in Kerala.
The trend is gaining traction among expatriates who want to maintain a link with their homeland while escaping the harsh winters of Europe and North America.
A retired couple from Vienna spends October to March at their home in Athirampuzha, Kottayam, to avoid the chill. “Owning a vacation home in Kerala is relatively inexpensive, as most NRIs already have ancestral property. They can build a house tailored to their budget and needs,” Paul adds.
Beyond affordability, the state offers practical advantages. Household help, drivers, and rental cars are readily available at reasonable rates. Recognising this demand, developers are creating residential spaces catering specifically to the needs of expatriates. In Koothattukulam, Ernakulam, Angelo John aka Johny is developing ‘guest homes’ on a 15-acre plot. “We plan to build 10-15 homes on plots ranging from 5 to 20 cents,” he says.
These homes will be available for purchase or short-term rental by returning expatriates. “Many NRIs prefer independent accommodation to staying with relatives. We aim to offer the full package, including food and recreational services. When owners are abroad, the property will be listed on Airbnb, ensuring maintenance and generating rental income,” Johny explains.
This growing interest in vacation and retirement homes signals a shift in Kerala’s real estate market. A significant number of Malayali expatriates who migrated in the 1990s to the US, Europe, and the Gulf are now reaching retirement age.
While this trend is not as widespread as the construction boom fuelled by Gulf remittances in the 1970s and 1980s, it marks a new phase in Kerala’s migration story. Back then, returning migrants built opulent homes, particularly in central and northern Kerala. And, the new trend comes at a time when many of the houses built in 1980s and 1990s are lying vacant, especially in central Kerala.