Buying a home in Kerala: Is this still the dream for young Malayali expats in UAE?

Buying a home in Kerala: Is this still the dream for young Malayali expats in UAE?

Dubai: Kerala, as a state, has one of the largest expatriate populations in India. In the Gulf region and in the UAE too, Malayalis account for one of the largest expat populations in residence. As per the Kerala Migration Survey 2018, there are 2.1 million Keralites who reside outside the county, a majority of whom are based in Gulf countries. For many Kerala expats who fall in the boomers’ generation, and for previous generations too, building or buying a home in Kerala was a priority. Most planning in advance for retirement in their home state. Even with small salaries, many expats ensured that their houses back in Kerala were their ‘dream homes’. However, for later generations, financial priorities have changed, and not just for expats from Kerala. COVID-19 and the financial uncertainties that the pandemic triggered have also contributed to these changes. We spoke to a section of young Malayali expats in the UAE to understand whether the age-old dream of having a home in Kerala is still a financial goal. Elma Bartholomew, 33, communications strategist said, “My decision to move to Dubai had a lot to do with the level of exposure this city offers, from getting to work