Should You Retire to a Village in India? A 60-Year-Old’s Honest Guide to Peace, Simplicity & Real Living.
As someone who has lived over six decades, I’ve experienced both the chaos of city life and the calm of rural India. Now, at the brink of retirement, one question keeps recurring:
“Should I shift to a village after retirement?”
It’s not a decision to be made lightly, but if you're wondering the same, here’s a detailed, heartfelt breakdown that might help.
Why Many Retirees in India Consider Village Life
- Peace, Silence & Slowness:
In a village, the mornings begin with birdsong, not alarms. Life moves at a pace where you can enjoy your tea instead of gulping it down between meetings. For those who have worked hard all their life, this quiet can be a powerful medicine. - Affordable Living:
Cities are expensive- be it groceries, rent, or healthcare. In villages, the cost of living is dramatically lower. You can live comfortably on your pension without constantly worrying about bills. For example: - A home-cooked vegetable thali: ₹30–₹40
- House rent in many villages: as low as
₹2,000–₹4,000/month (or zero if you own a home)
This makes villages an ideal choice for fixed-income living. - Healthier, Organic Lifestyle:
Most village produce is farm-fresh and organic by default. Eating fresh vegetables, walking on open roads, and breathing clean air can dramatically improve your healt- many retirees notice improvements in sleep, digestion, and even blood pressure after a few months. - Closer to Nature and Culture:
After retirement, many people want to reconnect with their roots. Villages allow you to live closer to the land(not in sky high box of concrete), traditions, and community. Whether it's attending a local festival or just helping a neighbor with their harvest, this sense of belonging is hard to find in city apartments. - A Community That Still Cares:
In cities, people often don’t even know who lives next door. In villages, people look out for each other. It’s easier to make friends, neighbor’s, find support, and feel a part of something real. For seniors, this emotional support is priceless - Mental Peace and Mindfulness:
Retirement isn't just about physical rest; it’s about mental well-being too. In the calm of village life, many retirees find time for reflection, meditation, hobbies, and spiritual growth.
Challenges You Must Be Ready For
- Medical Accessibility: You may need to travel to a nearby town for serious issues.
- Limited Entertainment & Social Life: No malls or cinema halls unless you stay near a semi-urban area.
- Internet & Mobile Signal: 90% of villages now have good networks, but some pockets still lack consistent connectivity.
- Inconsistent Utilities: Be prepared for power cuts or poor roads in Tier-3 zones.
Personal Tip: Try Before You Shift
- Rent a house for 3–6 months in a village close to your city
- Stay during different seasons (especially monsoon and summer)
- Track your expenses, health, mental mood
- Speak with local retirees before finalizing your shift
Helpful External Resources
- National Rural Health Mission – Find rural medical access
- RBI’s Retirement Planning Guide
- India Air Quality Monitoring Data
#VillageRetirement #LifeAfter60 #RetireInIndia #SimpleLivingHighThinking #RetirementPlanning
FAQs: Retirement in Villages
- Has anyone relocated to a village after living in a city?
Yes, many. Some even say it’s the best decision they made — peace over pressure. - Would anyone go back to their ancestral village?
Absolutely. It’s not about comfort, it’s about connection and memory. - After retirement, is a city or village better?
If health is stable and village facilities exist, rural wins. But stay near a town if you need medical help often. - Why do people prefer village life after retirement?
Fresh air, peace, community, simplicity — it’s like going back to your roots. - Do Indians wish to return to ancestral homes?
Many do. Especially after crossing 55+, the longing for roots returns strongly. - If you moved from Vidarbha to a metro, would you go back?
Yes — if responsibilities allow. The village heals what the city forgets. - Where should one stay: rural or metro?
Ideally? In a village that’s close to a city. You get peace without losing safety. - I want to go back in 5 years. Is that realistic?
Yes, if you plan now. Renovate, research health access, and test-run it. - Advantages of retiring in a village?
Low cost, better food, emotional peace, freedom. It’s not fancy — but it’s fulfilling. - Where do you want to live post-retirement?
In a quiet village near a market, with my books, birds, and a view of the hills.