Ritu Sharma, a Thane-based professional interior designer, and a new mother, said, "We wanted to move to our own house before our child was born. Choosing Thane as a location was a natural and an easy decision. We were aware of Thane's past and future growth potential and found travelling from Thane very convenient. The challenge was to select the right project."

Ritu further added, "Choosing a promising locality and reputed builder were important, yes. But, we were looking for more. We were looking for a home with good architecture for optimum ventilation and a society with maximum amenities, in short more value for money. We wanted to stay at a place that offered a safe play zone for our child and a range of comforts for the family."

A demanding work-life cycle isn't unheard of nowadays. And, many home buyers like Ritu opt to beat work pressure by selecting thoughtfully designed housing projects for all age groups. Read ahead, to know more about the essential amenities that your housing project must have.

Basic Amenities

Smart Building Designs: Spacious building designs that facilitate multilevel vehicle parking are favored. Reserved parking space for guests is a practical requirement and should not be missed.

Availability of space for social and business gatherings, like a community hall or a multipurpose hall is a must. Other conveniences to look out for include pre-planned vehicle-free plazas. Conceptualized at the project planning stage, such designs provide unhindered strolling area within the complex. Green rooms (for relaxation) and well-planned building layout (for ample ventilation and maximum access to natural light and scenic landscapes) are other must-haves in a good housing project.

Sports and Recreation: Life is dull without play. Going for a quick game of table tennis after work or gliding in the skating rink can do wonders to rejuvenate your soul. A sports arena or multipurpose court to include indoor games like carom, fuss-ball, pool or squash is an added advantage. Outdoor recreational provisions include cricket pitch, basketball, badminton, and football courts. An amphitheatre or a hobby room is ideal for a few hours of pure joy. If you are an avid book reader, ask your builder if a library or reading room is being included in the project plan. Such recreational amenities could help you discover the finer side of life.

Shopping Arcades: What could be more convenient than purchasing your daily needs at a store that is just round the corner? Projects with retail kiosks score high on the preference list of home buyers.
Fitness-based: Yoga centers, swimming pools, spa, meditation spaces, shaded walkways, cycling and jogging tracks are facilities that health conscious buyers need to look at.

Other Value-added Facilities: Besides the above, your residential project might offer value-added provisions for car washing, solar panels for 24x7 hot water and energy-efficient lobby lights. Specific Amenities

The Art Angle: Many residential projects have an aesthetic touch. Behavioral analysts say that art impacts the quality of our life to a large extent. Projects with artistic landscapes, art development centers or interactive spaces are features to watch out for. These could instill art in your daily routine.

Kids: Families with small children must be on the lookout for amenities like toddler play areas, sand pit area, kids' swimming pool, etc. in the complex. However, real estate experts advise home buyers with infants or kids to look beyond the complex, as well. They must focus on the locality, say experts, to ensure that there are adequate daycare centers, schools, colleges and hospitals in the vicinity.

Senior Citizens: In case you have senior members in your family, go for projects that offer structural aids for senior citizens (like ramps, benches or safety features) and exclusive areas for the elderly to socialize. Ensure you choose a locality that has easy access to healthcare facilities.

Expert Speak



A representative from Vijay Group and Suraksha Realty, a leading Thane-based real estate joint venture, stated, "Home developers must focus on the buyer's needs. A home owner is the focal point of our architectural and designing strategies."

Speaking about their recent project Orovia-The Land of Prosperity, the representative said, "The project has amenities that cater to children as well as elders. Right from safety-based features like power backup to unique amenities like butterfly gardens, the project has it all. Situated amidst lush greenery, Orovia has been designed as an urban forest blending the best of nature and modern lifestyle through subtle yet inclusive architectural designs without compromising on the home privacy. Orovia homes are responsive to micro-climatic changes. The trajectory of the sun and the direction of wind have been charted to create healthy and inviting living spaces.

Orovia lies in close proximity to established schools (with various boards), renowned hospitals, multiplexes and parks. Besides, it is located at Thane - awarded as one of the most promising cities of India by FIRST Smart Cities Council and Indicus Analytics (renowned economic research firm) in February 2015."