Shelter struggles: Why many students in Pune are opting for luxury hostels

Indian Express

6 days ago

Written by Kivi Lydia Vito, Riddhi Berry
An increasing number of students and working professionals in Pune are opting for high-end luxury hostels as a preferred alternative to traditional accommodations. These accommodations offer fully furnished rooms, meal plans, gyms, and vibrant common areas, often located in gated communities with 24/7 security and app-based check-in systems. They combine comfort, safety and a sense of independence, making them a popular choice.
Several companies in Pune offer such luxury accommodations, including Cozmo Living and Tribe Stays. Both provide single and twin-sharing rooms for boys and girls. At Cozmo Living, twin-sharing rooms start at Rs 18,000 per month, while single rooms begin at Rs 38,000 per month. Tribe Stays offers both twin-sharing and private single rooms for students, with prices ranging from Rs 40,000 to Rs 42,000 per month.
Kaif Shaikh, a 16-year-old boy preparing for the IIT-JEE, says that the amenities at Cozmo Living in Viman Nagar add to the comfort and ease of his daily routine. 'We have access to the swimming pool and gym in the society as part of the accommodation, and there are air conditioners in the rooms as well, so I prefer living here instead of other PGs or hostels.' The apartments and rooms, part of these accommodations, come fully furnished with specifically catered meal plans as well.
This focus on comfort and convenience is echoed by Prateek Garg, co-founder of Cozmo Living and a graduate of Symbiosis University. Based on his own experience as a student in Pune, he said, 'We did not really have good quality rooms and had to worry about little things like cooking and cleaning, instead of focusing on our careers and studies. This is what inspired us to build a space where students could focus on their futures and let us deal with the small stuff.'
Along with comfort and amenities, safety plays a major role in the appeal of luxury PGs, Sakshi Jaiswal, who is originally from Ranchi and currently working in Pune, says, 'Personally, for me, I think it is safer than normal PGs. There is a MyGate facility (a community and security management platform designed for gated communities) because the apartments are in a proper housing complex. So, the entries of every person can be backtracked because every detail is recorded.'
Operators of such premium accommodations also emphasise the role of technology in enhancing resident safety. 'Our app-based check-in is not just about convenience, it is built for accountability and safety. Every resident is digitally verified before moving in and grievances can be raised through the app as well. This ensures we always know who is on the premises, which adds a strong layer of security without compromising anyone's safety,' says Malika Kandru, marketing manager at Tribe Stays.
She continues, 'Security is something we never compromise on. We have guards stationed at every entrance of our living spaces, and we maintain clear boundaries where boys cannot access girls' spaces and vice versa.'
Some students also feel that the environment created by such living spaces is more interactive and enjoyable than that of university hostels. Yash Joshi, a management student at Symbiosis University who lives in Tribe Stays, says, 'We have a common area and café where everyone who stays here can hang out and chill. In the university hostels, we need to be back by 8 or 9 pm, even on weekends, but here we don't have such restrictions, so most students prefer to live outside.'
Although the prices of these luxury co-living spaces are slightly on the higher side, many students still prefer them over regular hostels and PGs.
Shilpa Aditya, a management student at Symbiosis University who lives at Tribe Stays, says, 'It is much more comfortable living here than in the university hostel. We get AC rooms, the food is better, and there are vending machines, so we can grab something to eat at any hour. There is no curfew either, which makes it much more convenient for us.'
This growing preference for comfort and flexibility over cost is also reflected in how student housing is evolving. Kandru, speaking from the organisational side, notes the rising interest in such accommodation.
'There is a clear shift in how students and even their parents are approaching housing. The demographic for our living space is from 18–24, and there is a demand for premium living that combines comfort, safety, and independence,' she says.
Kivi Lydia Vito and Riddhi Berry are interns at The Indian Express.