Mumbai's real estate prices have never failed to astonish people. In this city of dreams, buying even a small home feels like claiming victory in a great battle, where one has to compromise on space despite paying exorbitant prices. But the problem extends beyond just 'expensive homes'. Recently, a post on the social media platform LinkedIn has gone viral, raising serious questions about Mumbai's lifestyle and future.
The viral post claims that Mumbai's costly lifestyle and housing shortage are pushing single professionals to relocate outside the city. Alarmingly, the launch of studio apartments (1RK) in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) dropped to just 790 units in 2025, marking the lowest point in the past five years.
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Disappearing small homes
This implies that builders have almost ceased constructing small and affordable homes for young professionals, effectively erasing the 'entry ladder' of the property market where an ordinary working person once envisioned building their dream home.
The post emphasizes that young people starting their careers in Mumbai today face only three difficult paths: paying millions for a 'matchbox' sized home and compromising their self-respect and quality of life just for a prestigious address; getting trapped in the 'Mortgage Trap,' spending their lives paying off EMIs; or remaining lifelong renters.
Are young people returning?
Due to this heavy financial burden, the city is witnessing 'reverse migration', as people seek better living conditions elsewhere, leaving Mumbai behind.
Commenting on the system, the post states, “We talk about building 'smart cities,' but in reality, we are creating 'Exit Cities' that exploit young talent until they are out of endurance and money.” The user poses a significant question, terming this as 'demographic eviction': "If Mumbai loses its young workforce, who will work in those shiny new offices at BKC (Bandra Kurla Complex)?"
The post received overwhelming support on social media, with many agreeing with the user's sentiments. One user sharply noted, "The reason this stings is because it's a harsh reality. The sudden rise in living costs in Mumbai is no coincidence; it's driven by 'balance sheets' and profits, not by those who actually keep this city running. When a city loses its entry-level homes, it gradually loses its talent too."
