How to plan finances when moving from Canada to India?

Santosh outlines 3 scenarios: '1) Have equity (bought early, house worth more)—transfer via Remitly, split between FD and investments. 2) Underwater (bought at peak, house worth less)—either wait it out, come up with $100K to close, or hand over keys and leave. 3) Break-even—can exit cleanly.' Transaction costs: ~$100K for million-dollar house (land transfer tax, mortgage break fee, real estate fees).

What is the cost of living in India for NRIs?

Santosh's breakdown: '₹1 lakh minimum for two people (no rent/mortgage): Car EMI ₹20K, groceries ₹20K, rent ₹30K (decent 2-3BHK), remaining for utilities, health, travel.' He adds: 'With ₹2-4 lakh income, can live lavish life including Fortuner.' This is for comfortable middle-class lifestyle in tier-1 cities.

What to do if my Canada house is underwater?

Santosh's advice for underwater mortgages: 'Either wait it out (if you can afford payments), come up with $100K to close the gap, or hand over keys and leave.' He warns: 'People who bought at peak are stuck. Transaction costs ~$100K for million-dollar house.' Some are choosing to walk away rather than stay trapped in negative equity.

Is Canada housing market going to crash?

Santosh predicted this 5 years ago: '45% GDP on housing is complete BS. Last hospital built in 1950, population 20K→180K. Mass immigration without infrastructure.' He says: 'People were laughing at me 5 years ago. Now everyone knows—someone from their society or relative is already in stress. This will bring down the government badly.'

How to transfer money from Canada to India?

Santosh recommends: 'Transfer via Remitly—good rates.' For large amounts from house sale: 'Split between FD (1-2 Cr for safety) and stock market/SIP for growth.' He emphasizes doing the math on CAD vs INR returns rather than assuming CAD will appreciate significantly.

Podcast

Why We Left Canada for India: Financial Planning & Housing Lessons

Q: Should I keep money in Canada or transfer to India?

Santosh debunks the CAD appreciation myth: 'CAD was ₹63 in 2009, still around same. You get 3% in Canadian GIC vs 8% in Indian FD. Even if CAD becomes ₹73 (15% appreciation), the 8% yield in India still beats Canada returns. Do the math—use ChatGPT if needed.' He recommends: 'Split: 1-2 Cr in FD, rest in stock market/SIP.'

Watch this episode on its own page

Santosh predicted Canada's housing and healthcare crisis 5 years ago. Now living in India, he shares financial planning for 3 scenarios (equity, underwater, break-even), real monthly expenses (₹1 lakh for family), and why CAD vs INR depreciation argument is flawed.

Avinash

21 Aug 202512 min read55 min watchUpdated 30 Nov 2025

In this story

What Santosh Predicted 5 Years Ago
3 Financial Scenarios for Canadians
CAD vs INR Myth Debunked
Monthly Expenses in India
Key Advice

Financial Planning • Last Updated: November 30, 2025

Left Canada Before It Got Worse: Santosh's Financial Planning & Housing Insights

Santosh predicted Canada's crisis 5 years ago. Now in India, he shares financial planning for different scenarios and debunks the CAD vs INR myth.

By Avinash, NRI Return Specialist with 8+ years helping families relocate successfully 📅 Published: August 21, 2025 | 🔄 Last Updated: November 30, 2025

Canada Return Financial Planning Housing Crisis Follow-up Interview

What Santosh Predicted 5 Years Ago

Housing crash: "45% GDP on housing is complete BS"
Healthcare crisis: "Last hospital built in 1950, population 20K→180K"
Immigration unsustainable: Mass immigration without infrastructure
Trudeau government fall: "This will bring down the government badly"

"People were laughing at me 5 years ago. Now everyone knows—someone from their society or relative is already in stress."

3 Financial Scenarios for Canadians

Scenario 1: Have Equity

Bought for $1M, now worth $1.4-1.5M, put 20% down, paid some mortgage:

Have ~$600-700K equity
Transfer via Remitly—good rates
Split: 1-2 Cr in FD, rest in stock market/SIP

Scenario 2: Underwater

Bought for $1M, now worth $800K:

Transaction costs: ~$100K (land transfer tax $32-35K, mortgage break fee $15-50K, real estate fees $50K)
Options: Wait it out, come up with $100K to close, or hand over keys and leave
"Sit and pray—if you're broken and can't take more, hand over keys and run"

Scenario 3: Break-Even

Can exit cleanly—decide based on job stability, health, India plans.

CAD vs INR Myth Debunked

"CAD was ₹63 in 2009, still around same. You get 3% in Canadian GIC vs 8% in Indian FD. Even if CAD becomes ₹73 (15% appreciation), the 8% yield in India still beats Canada. Do the math."

Monthly Expenses in India

₹1 Lakh Budget (No Mortgage)

Car EMI: ₹20K (10 lakh car)
Groceries: ₹20K (everything included)
Rent: ₹30K (decent 2-3BHK)
Remaining: Utilities, health, travel

"Ashirwad atta is same for Ambani as for you—₹400. Grocery cost doesn't change much with income."

Key Advice

Run your own numbers—don't get influenced by videos
Use ChatGPT to calculate scenarios
Have a stable job plan for India
Don't compare—India and Canada are different

Planning Your Canada to India Move?

Join the Inner Circle

What Santosh Predicted 5 Years Ago

Housing crash: "45% GDP on housing is complete BS"
Healthcare crisis: "Last hospital built in 1950, population 20K→180K"
Immigration unsustainable: Mass immigration without infrastructure
Trudeau government fall: "This will bring down the government badly"

"People were laughing at me 5 years ago. Now everyone knows—someone from their society or relative is already in stress."

3 Financial Scenarios for Canadians