Something has shifted in how working professionals in Kochi think about where they want to live. A few years ago, the default answer was central Kochi — Ernakulam, Edappally, or somewhere along MG Road. Today, a growing number of IT employees, mid-level managers, and young dual-income couples are bypassing the city centre entirely and heading straight for Kakkanad. The reasons are practical, financial, and increasingly about lifestyle. This article looks at what is driving that shift and whether it makes sense for you.
Kakkanad Is Where the Work Actually Is
Kakkanad is home to Infopark Kochi, one of Kerala’s largest IT parks, and the adjacent Smart City Kochi development — together hosting hundreds of companies ranging from global IT majors to fast-growing startups. For professionals working in these campuses, living in Kakkanad eliminates the commute problem entirely. Instead of spending 45 to 90 minutes in Kochi’s peak-hour traffic from Ernakulam or Edappally, a resident of Kakkanad can be at their desk in under ten minutes. That daily time saving compounded across months and years has a real impact on energy, health, and quality of life that professionals are increasingly
factoring into their housing decisions.
The Value Proposition Compared to Central Kochi
Property prices in Kakkanad are meaningfully lower than comparable apartments in Edappally, Vyttila, or Ernakulam South — often by 15% to 25% for similar floor areas and amenity sets. A 2 BHK apartment near Infopark that would cost ₹85 lakh in Kakkanad might cost ₹1.05 crore or more in a closer-to-centre location. For working professionals buying their first home, that price gap is significant it can mean the difference between a purchase that stretches the budget uncomfortably and one that leaves room for savings and lifestyle. The relative affordability of apartments in Kakkanad is not a sign of lower quality; it reflects land cost differences in a fast-developing area that hasn’t yet been fully priced in.
What the Apartments Here Actually Offer
The newer residential projects coming up in and around Kakkanad are not compromise options. Developers building near Infopark have responded to the professional tenant and buyer market with projects that include co-working spaces or study rooms, high-speed internet infrastructure, well-equipped gyms, and indoor amenity areas that cater to people who split their time between office and home. Work-from-home flexibility has made these features genuinely useful rather than decorative. A working professional in Kakkanad today can have a flat minutes from the office, a dedicated workspace at home, and a gym downstairs — a combination that is harder to put together at the same price point in most other parts of the city.
The Rental Market Tells Its Own Story
For professionals who are not yet ready to buy, the rental market in Kakkanad offers some context on where demand is heading. Well-maintained 2 BHK apartments near Infopark are renting at ₹15,000 to ₹22,000 per month, with 3 BHK units going for ₹22,000 to ₹32,000. Vacancy rates among professionally managed buildings are low, which indicates sustained demand from the IT workforce. For buyers, this is relevant: purchasing a flat in Kakkanad today means entering a market with a proven rental base useful both for interim letting if relocation happens, and as a long-term investment consideration. The demand driving rents is the same demand that underpins resale value growth.
Infrastructure: What Is Coming and Why It Matters
Kakkanad’s infrastructure trajectory is one of the stronger arguments for buying here now rather than later. The Kochi Metro Phase 2 extension towards Infopark, continued Smart City Kochi development, and ongoing road improvements along the Seaport-Airport Road corridor are all expected to bring significant connectivity improvements to the area over the next five to seven years. Infrastructure upgrades in Kochi have historically driven property value appreciation in the surrounding micro-markets. Professionals buying in Kakkanad today are positioning ahead of that curve buying in an area whose infrastructure is improving rather than one that has already been fully priced for its current state.
Conclusion
The move to Kakkanad among working professionals is not a trend driven by compromise — it is driven by logic. Proximity to Infopark and Smart City, lower property prices relative to central Kochi, a growing ecosystem of well-built apartments with professional amenities, and an improving infrastructure pipeline all point in the same direction. For a professional earning a stable IT-sector income and looking to buy a first home or a rental investment in Kochi, Kakkanad deserves serious consideration. The right approach, as always, is to choose a K-RERA registered project from a builder with a verified track record and to move before
the area’s current price advantage closes further.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average price of a 2 BHK apartment in Kakkanad near Infopark?
A 2 BHK apartment in Kakkanad near Infopark currently ranges from ₹55 lakh to ₹90 lakh depending on the builder, floor level, amenities, and whether the project is under construction or ready to move in. Prices have been appreciating steadily as more
professionals choose Kakkanad over central Kochi, so early-stage projects from reputable K-RERA registered builders offer the best value within this range.
Is Kakkanad a good area for IT professionals working at Infopark?
Yes — Kakkanad is one of the most practical residential choices for Infopark employees. The proximity eliminates the long commutes that most Kochi professionals deal with, and the area has a growing number of residential projects, restaurants, supermarkets, and lifestyle amenities built around the working professional demographic. The tenant community in most projects is predominantly IT and corporate professionals, which also contributes to well-maintained buildings and active residential associations.
How does the Kochi Metro expansion affect Kakkanad property values?
The planned Kochi Metro Phase 2 extension towards Infopark is expected to significantly improve Kakkanad’s connectivity to the rest of the city. Historically in Kochi, areas that gained metro access saw meaningful property value appreciation in the two to four years following the announcement and commencement of construction. Buyers purchasing in Kakkanad before the metro extension is operational are positioned to benefit from this anticipated appreciation.
Is renting better than buying for an IT professional in Kakkanad?
It depends on how long you plan to stay in Kochi and your financial position. If you are on a short assignment or unsure about your location for the next two to three years, renting is the more flexible choice. If you are building a career in Kochi’s IT sector for the medium to long term, buying in Kakkanad makes stronger financial sense — especially given the low property prices relative to central Kochi and the consistent rental demand if you ever need to let the property. Many professionals start by renting and buy within two to three years once they confirm their plans.
What should working professionals look for when choosing an apartment in
Kakkanad?
Prioritise K-RERA registration as a non-negotiable baseline it protects your investment and holds the builder accountable to timelines and specifications. Beyond that, look for actual walking or cycling distance to Infopark rather than relying on broad “near Infopark” marketing claims. Check that the project includes covered parking, reliable water supply, power backup, and fast internet infrastructure. Amenities like a gym and co-working or study space are increasingly standard in newer projects and make a genuine difference to the work-from-home lifestyle that most IT professionals now maintain at least part of the week.