Mysuru Emerges as Bengaluru's Escape Hatch for Millennials Seeking Balance
For many years, people from all over Karnataka and India moved to Bengaluru looking for opportunities. The city provided jobs and growth, but it came with serious problems. Today, terrible traffic jams, increasing pollution, and constant civic issues define daily life in Bengaluru. These problems are steadily destroying the city's once famous quality of living.
The Pandemic Changed Everything
The COVID-19 pandemic became a major turning point. When work-from-home arrangements removed geographical limits, young professionals started reconsidering their living situations. They began asking where they wanted to live and how they wanted to structure their lives. Among these people were millennial residents of Bengaluru who decided they had enough of the stressful grind. They said yes to a slower, more balanced existence in neighboring Mysuru.
Located just under 150 kilometers away, Mysuru has become a sanctuary for professionals in their thirties and forties. The city offers cleaner air, wider roads, minimal traffic congestion, and a pleasant mix of green spaces and modern cafes. This combination proves especially attractive to families with young children. Improved transportation links have further sped up this migration trend.
With the new expressway and faster train services, travel between Bengaluru and Mysuru has become smooth and easy. This seamless connectivity serves as a crucial factor for millennials who have aging parents still living in Bengaluru.
"If you live in South Bengaluru, it takes less than two hours to reach Mysuru. You're never really far away," explains Dr. Anushika Babu, a 35-year-old Chief Growth Officer of two companies and a lifelong Bengalurean. "That's why there's almost a weekend swap happening now. Many Mysureans head to Bengaluru to party, while Bengalureans come to Mysuru to relax and unwind."
Who Finds Mysuru Appealing?
Mysuru primarily attracts millennials who desire a slower pace of life, a better work-life balance, and good schooling options for their children. The city also provides ample activity choices for kids. However, if you love partying every single weekend, Mysuru might not match your lifestyle preferences.
Less Traffic and a Better Social Life
Psychologist Dr. Charithra Ballal, aged 40, moved from Jakkur in Bengaluru to Mysuru four years ago. She brought her dog and three cats along with her.
"I barely had a social life in Bengaluru. Meeting friends meant spending nearly three hours stuck in traffic. I loved taking long walks with my dog, but the air quality was so poor that I often wondered if those walks were doing more harm than good," she recalls.
When her therapy sessions shifted online during the pandemic, Charithra started thinking about a change. "I responded to an advertisement and found a beautiful house in a quiet neighborhood with huge jackfruit trees. I fell in love instantly. Before I knew it, Mysuru had become my home," she says.
Her social life has improved dramatically since the move. "It's actually easier to meet the same friends in Mysuru than it was in Bengaluru," she laughs.
Even Luxury Becomes Affordable
Beyond proximity, affordability acts as a major attraction. Rents and property prices in Mysuru remain significantly lower than those in Bengaluru.
"It has become unimaginable to live in the heart of Bengaluru. Forget buying a house there — you pay through your nose just to rent a two-bedroom apartment," states Ashish N, a 38-year-old resident of Hoodi in Bengaluru.
"I have a friend living in Gokulam, one of Mysuru's posh areas, who pays only 25,000 rupees for a spacious apartment. I also know several people who either already own land in Mysuru or are actively looking to buy because it's still economical," he adds.
The city's real estate appeal should grow even stronger with the recent announcement of the Greater Mysuru City Corporation. Mysuru is set to expand from 86.31 square kilometers to 341.44 square kilometers. This expansion will likely spur job creation and improve civic amenities.
This development aligns perfectly with Karnataka's 'Beyond Bengaluru' strategy. The state government incentivizes startups to relocate to tier-2 cities. Thanks to its proximity to the capital and relatively strong infrastructure, Mysuru has emerged as a frontrunner in this initiative.
Choosing Peace Over Chaos
Popular Kannada singer, composer, and rapper Chandan Shetty, aged 39, also relocated to Mysuru following his highly publicized divorce. After three frustrating months of unsuccessful house hunting in Bengaluru, a work trip changed everything.
"I went to Mysuru for work and decided to check out housing options there. I found a perfect place within just thirty minutes," he reveals.
Chandan praises the city's cleanliness and strong civic sense. "Unlike Bengaluru, which struggles with civic apathy, it's ingrained in Mysureans to keep their city clean and tidy."
While Bengaluru remains important for his professional career, he admits the city has reached a saturation point. "It's overcrowded and polluted. Mysuru has been my home for eight months now, and it's literally a breath of fresh air. The city is growing, but you're not left wanting for anything essential," he adds.
A Cleaner, Easier City to Raise Children
Anushika moved to Mysuru four years ago with her husband and their then 18-month-old daughter. She has absolutely no regrets about the decision.
"Every time we visited Mysuru, it felt like time moved differently because traffic was a non-issue. In Bengaluru, you're forced to make difficult choices — between family life and career, or between hobbies and friendships — because so much time gets consumed by commuting. In Mysuru, after a full day of work, we still have plenty of time left for family, activities, and friends," she explains.
With several excellent schools and dedicated activity spaces, Mysuru has proven ideal for her daughter's upbringing. "In Bengaluru, you enroll your child in whatever activity is closest, usually within your apartment complex. In Mysuru, everything lies within a twenty-minute drive, so children have far more options to explore and discover," Anushika adds.
What Bengalureans Love About Mysuru
- Barely any traffic congestion
- Lower levels of air and noise pollution
- General cleanliness and abundant greenery
- Beautiful parks and easily accessible public spaces
- Proximity to KRS backwaters and Chamundi Betta
- Located close to popular hill stations like Coorg and Sakleshpur
- Several trendy cafes and restaurants
- Availability of good schools
Concerns About Mysuru's Future
Many long-time residents fear that Mysuru could eventually follow Bengaluru's problematic path.
"People say Mysuru today resembles what Bengaluru was decades ago — and that's precisely why they're moving here. We're already witnessing more traffic, mushrooming residential layouts, and large apartment complexes. New cafes, malls, and restaurants are cropping up rapidly. The expressway has made it easier for Bengalureans to visit, but we don't want our beautiful city to suffer the same fate," expresses 37-year-old Siddharth Gowda, a native of Mysuru.
"Please don't move here," he adds, only half-joking.
Safety Concerns for Young Adults
The new residents admit that Mysuru isn't suitable for everyone. They agree it may not suit people in their twenties who thrive on vibrant nightlife and frequent pub-hopping.
Charithra also flags safety as a potential concern. "As a single woman, I don't feel as safe in Mysuru as I did in Bengaluru," she notes.
