The indoor-vs-outdoor debate gets emotional fast, but the data on lifespan and risk is fairly consistent: indoor cats live meaningfully longer on average, largely due to reduced exposure to traffic, disease, and predators.
That doesn’t mean outdoor access has no value. Supervised outdoor time, secure catios, or leash training can offer enrichment without the same level of risk. What matters most for a strictly indoor cat is replacing what the outdoors provided — vertical space, scratching outlets, and enough novelty to prevent boredom.
There’s no universally correct answer here, but going in with accurate information beats going in on instinct alone.