‘Tall buildings look glamorous but feel like jail’: Woman shares experience of housing society life

A woman’s video describing the emotional isolation she experiences while living in a high-rise apartment has triggered widespread discussion on social media, with many users saying they related to her observations about modern urban life.

Instagram user Anjali Chaudhary shared a video in which she spoke about how her perception of living in tall residential buildings changed after moving into one. While such buildings may appear glamorous from the outside because of their lighting, architecture and modern amenities, she said the experience can feel isolating for residents who miss social interaction and neighbourhood connections.

In the video, Anjali said she once believed life in a high-rise building would be comfortable and exciting. However, after shifting there, she felt the appeal had faded.


“I swear, these tall buildings, buildings like these, honestly, they only look good from a distance. Before I lived here, I used to think how comfortable it would be to live in a building. You know, all the glamour, the lights... there’s a certain charm to living there. But since I’ve moved in, all that fun has vanished. This building feels more like a jail to me now,” she said.

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A post shared by Anjali Chaudhary (@anjalichaudhary713)

‘Nobody here talks to anyone’

Anjali said her family moved into the building four years ago, but they still know very little about the people living around them. According to her, residents rarely interact with one another.

“Nobody here talks to anyone. We moved here four years ago, but we have no idea who lives in the house next door, when they leave, or when they come home,” she said.

She added that she misses the sense of community often associated with traditional neighbourhoods, where neighbours would visit each other, hold conversations and spend time together over tea.

Anjali also said she misses having access to an open terrace, especially during the rainy season, when people could step outside and enjoy the weather.

Social media users relate to experience

The video has received more than 1.1 million views and generated numerous reactions from users who said they had experienced similar feelings while living in high-rise apartments.

One user commented, “This is so true, high-rise life looks fancy but feels very lonely.” Another wrote, “Old neighbourhoods had a different warmth, people actually cared about each other.”

A third user said, “I live in a similar building and I don’t even know who lives on my floor,” while another added, “The terrace part is so relatable, especially during the rains.”

Other users said modern homes may provide comfort and luxury, but often lack the sense of connection and community found in older residential areas.