ESCAPE TO THE HILLS: DEMAND SURGES IN THE NILGIRIS

Coonoor and Kotagiri are turning into an investor’s playground as corporate heads, retirees and ambitious entrepreneurs look for holiday homes and ‘summer offices’

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While Ooty and Coonoor have their bustling spots, imagine owning your own sanctuary of tranquility. Of waking up to crisp, eucalyptus-tinged air and setting out on long walks to de-stress from your city life. With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting an “above-normal number of heatwave days” this summer, it’s no wonder people are already dreaming of month-long holidays in mist-clad hills. In Tamil Nadu, this would include Ooty and Coonoor in the Nilgiris, known for their water bodies, scenic trails, tea gardens and colonial era bungalows.

Over the past two years, the real estate market in the Nilgiris has experienced a significant surge, attracting diverse buyers, ranging from the who’s who of the corporate world to retirees seeking a quiet lifestyle to ambitious youngsters who want to make a smart investment. Experts in the real estate sector argue that Ooty, once a popular destination, has now become saturated. They say Coonoor and Kotagiri are the two primary regions being considered by buyers. Property prices here have soared over the past two years and land, which was previously valued at %4 lakh to %5 lakh per cent has now exceeded 310 lakh (depending on the location) per cent.

Kotagiri for budget-friendly options

“Coonoor has evolved into a settler’s paradise, while Kotagiri has become an investor’s playground,” says Ashish Kishore Mehboobani, founder and managing partner of Avant Realty by A&N consultants. “Before COVID-19, the market was healthy — but the pandemic completely shifted the market dynamics. People started seeking silence over city noise, views over skylines, and clean air over chaos. Real estate in Coonoor is no longer for the ordinary — it’s aspirational and curated. Kotagiri, on the other hand, is value-rich and offers budget-friendly opportunities for anyone dreaming of a place in the hills,” he continues.