Founder's Story - Priya Living India

“I founded Priya to bring multiple generations together to live, play and enjoy each other’s company.”

Arun Paul, CEO and Founder, Priya Living

I founded Priya Living to create vibrant, joyful communities inspired by my parents, who immigrated from India to the United States in the 1960s. Leaving behind their family, friends, and everything familiar, they made immense sacrifices to provide opportunities and experiences they never had. As an only child, I grew up keenly aware of the depth of their loss and the resilience it took to start a new in a foreign land. Their story, full of courage and sacrifice, became the foundation for my mission to honour their legacy. I envisioned communities where life’s possibilities never end, where joy and imagination thrive, and where people can reconnect with their roots while exploring new horizons.

When I was a child

I used to spend hours pouring over the one big photo album my parents brought with them when they emigrated from India to America. I’d flip through its pages of black-and-white images as though it were a mysterious book from the past.

Those photographs enthralled me then and continue to linger in my mind. “Who are these people?” I would think. “How did they get from there to here?”

The possibility of meaningful human connection supports all that we do at Priya Living. From communal kitchens to open-air patios, we cultivate our living spaces so members can connect with each other.

We also offer programming to help them discover more about themselves. We encourage members to remember their childhoods, to follow their curiosity, and to make maast (fun), whether they're gardening, cooking, singing karaoke or just chatting with a friend over a cup of chai.

It’s my turn now to offer what my parents offered me all those years ago when they came to America–a place to belong and to feel loved.

In 2013, we laid our foundation as an innovative community-focused company, driven by a mission to bring people together.

Our approach is inclusive!

We honor members, their stories and their identities by building a stage on which they can thrive.

What is a Priya Living community?

Great question. Our planet boasts a multitude of cultures, from cuisine and music to fashion and religion. Why not embrace and celebrate the diversity and richness this world has to offer? That's Priya!

A warm,
welcoming place

We think the best places are those of great tolerance and acceptance of others. Priya Living communities are designed for those who wish to enjoy the rich cultural experiences we’ve created for elders and their families.
Respectful of
your spirituality

Hinduism. Christianity. Islam. Buddhism. We’re a world of many beliefs, and we embrace people of all faiths as well as those without a personal god.
A place that loves
to celebrate

No community loves its celebrations more than a Priya community. Whether we’re celebrating Christmas, Diwali (India’s festival of lights), Ramadan or Hanukkah, there’s always a reason to come together as a community.
Family is at our heart

We are fierce and loving about our Priya family. Our families play a central role in the life of our communities. We encourage frequent visits and ongoing participation of community members’ extended families in the programming in our communities.
Service is essential

Seva, or service, is another core element of the Priya experience.

We encourage selfless service performed without expectation of result or award for performing it.

We see it among residents who mentor youth, launch philanthropic programs or write to educate others.
A unique culinary program

Nothing reflects a culture or tells the story of a people better than cuisine. At Priya, we celebrate the role food plays in our lives and how it enriches our daily living experience.