It is often seen as the dream, moving abroad, building a new life, and achieving success in a foreign country. But for some, the reality is not as glamorous as it seems.
One Canadian NRI (Non-Resident Indian), who recently returned to India after five years, shared his experience on Reddit, revealing that the loneliness and structure of life in Canada led him to a breaking point.
“I just couldn’t take it anymore,” he wrote, explaining how social isolation and a lack of spontaneity made life feel robotic. Though he had friends in Canada, the feeling of disconnect was overwhelming.
While many imagine that life abroad is filled with excitement and freedom, this NRI felt the opposite. He described how even simple tasks in Canada, like going to the grocery store, required meticulous planning. “Even for a grocery run, let’s say to buy rice, I need to plan a trip to Costco or somewhere else,” he wrote.
Missing the chaos of India
One of the most striking differences the NRI explained was the “organized chaos” of India that he dearly missed. In Canada, everything had to be planned, and the random, unplanned moments of life were rare. “The random encounters and spontaneous plans that wouldn’t cost me a whole day is what I missed,” he said.
In India, the unpredictability of daily life felt like a breath of fresh air. The ability to make impromptu plans without feeling like it would disrupt the whole day was something he cherished. For him, that sense of living in the moment, of being part of a bustling, unpredictable environment, was something he found deeply fulfilling.
‘Dating life sucks here’
Another aspect that frustrated the NRI was the dating scene in Canada. “Dating life sucks here,” he shared candidly. Winters in Canada, often harsh and long, meant that socializing was limited, and meeting new people became a challenge. With most people staying indoors during the cold months, finding romantic connections became even harder.
The loneliness of cold, long winters added to the sense of isolation, making it difficult to feel truly engaged with others in a meaningful way.
For him, India is home. The energy, the spontaneous connections, the chaotic but vibrant lifestyle are things he now values deeply. “I’m so excited for the future,” he said, looking forward to what lies ahead back in India.
‘We are happy for you’
Redditors also shared their opinion on the post. A user noted, “Looks like everyone is too obsessed to leave India, which is fine, but why are these people so active in this sub. There’s a reason this sub is named return to India.”
Another added, “Glad that you are bold and doing what you want to do. I’m sure it will work out. ” “In India there’s life in the life we live . There is chaos but in that chaos there is orderliness. There is warmth, celebration but above all there we have a family to call our own,” added a netizen.
“Friends too that speak our language and makes earth heaven – mentally effin rich, even if we are materially broke ,” explained a user. “Stay where you feel happy. Every place has its pros and cons. Every country has its issues. But you need to know your priority. Its ok to stay anywhere,” wrote a Redditor.
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