After spending almost eight years in the United States, an Indian professional has decided to return home — a move he described as both emotional and liberating. In a Reddit post titled “After 2 years of pondering, I think I am ready to move,” the user chronicled his decade-long journey of studying, working, saving, and ultimately deciding to move back to India.
From Dreams Abroad to Desire for Stability
The Redditor shared that he moved to the US in 2016 for his master’s degree and secured a job by 2018. He was grateful for the opportunities he received, including a signing bonus in the form of company stocks and strong visa support. Despite this, he always carried the goal of returning to India someday.
He credited the book “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” for changing his financial mindset, saying it inspired him to save aggressively and focus on building passive income streams. “I decided to use all the money I could to build multiple income streams,” he wrote. Over the years, he avoided unnecessary expenses, shared housing with roommates, and made long-term investments while leading a minimalist lifestyle.
Emotional Struggles and Realisation During COVID-19
Despite career success, the Reddit user admitted he struggled emotionally while living in the US. “I detested going to the office and eagerly anticipated the month I spent in India. I used to cry before leaving, and the thought of returning to the US was incredibly difficult. It was the toughest time of my life,” he confessed.
The pandemic, however, brought a shift. Remote work allowed him to travel and embrace a nomadic lifestyle. “I traveled extensively and had the best time ever. I started spending 3-4 months outside the US exploring different parts of the world, and my time back in India increased from one month to two or more,” he said.
The Turning Point and a New Beginning
Approaching his 30s, the Redditor said he began craving stability over constant travel. “Instead of embracing nomadic travel, I developed a craving for stability,” he wrote. Inspired by India’s startup culture and entrepreneurial spirit, he decided to plan his return.
He initially set 2024 as the year of his move but postponed it due to financial uncertainty. “I carefully reviewed my finances, but they were still somewhat uncertain and lacking concrete plans,” he said, adding that debts and investment mistakes delayed his decision.
However, after a year of financial correction, he feels ready now. “By the grace of the universe, things began to fall into place. I managed to save enough money to generate sufficient passive income that allows me to survive even with a modest salary,” he shared.
Emotional Goodbye to New York
Even as he prepares to leave, he admits it won’t be easy. “Even though I love NYC, and I would definitely miss it, I feel it does not have that sense of community, freedom to try new career’s and a sense of stability that I want and crave,” he said.
In an emotional conclusion, the Redditor wrote, “All I look from you all is support and guidance, even though I know it is a good decision, my hands are shaking writing this post… I will miss the walks in parks in NYC, miss the cafe scene, the energy of the city and everything (except the weather). But I feel if I do not make this decision, I will forever be stuck in this cycle and never be able to do what I truly want to.”
The post quickly resonated with many Reddit users, with several sharing similar feelings about moving back to India after years abroad.
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