Our Experiences Living in India after 20 Years in US | 8 Key Insights
After 2.5 years back in India following 20 years in US, honest reflections across 8 key dimensions: kids, family, career, convenience, lifestyle, finances, environment, and social life. No regrets.
In this story
It's been 2.5 years since we moved back to India after living 20 years in the US. Now that we've settled in and passed the initial honeymoon phase, here are honest reflections across 8 key dimensions of life in India.
The 8 Dimensions Covered
- Kids: School adaptation, curriculum choice, language, activities
- Family: Parents, extended family, quality time
- Career & Entrepreneurship: Work culture, opportunities
- Convenience & Services: Apps, domestic help, deliveries
- Lifestyle: Pace of life, balance
- Finances: UPI, cost of living, real estate
- Environment: Pollution, traffic, gated communities
- Social Life: Friends, hobbies, travel
The Bottom Line: "Looking back, my wife and I never really compared our life here to what it would have been if we stayed in US. Instead, we treated this move as starting a new chapter and embraced it wholeheartedly. Life in India is different, yes, but it's also dynamic, fulfilling, and rich with opportunities and connections. No regrets of moving to India at all."
👧 Dimension 1: Kids
When we moved, our kids were 9 and 7 years old, joining 4th grade and 2nd grade in India.
Curriculum Choice
One good thing in India is there are several curriculums to choose from. We selected IB, and honestly, they have adapted very well - no complaints about curriculum or school overall.
Language Considerations
Telugu Language Experience
- Our kids can speak Telugu but couldn't read or write
- In Telangana, Telugu is mandatory but it's a third language
- It's not formally evaluated
- Taught according to the kids' level
- Took longer to become fluent in conversing because many community kids come from different states and countries - English is their common language
School Fees Reality
The Cost Factor
- School fees are really expensive
- Increases by 10% every year
- Additional fee hike when moving from primary to secondary or secondary to high school
- Tuition costs add up as kids get into higher grades
The joke: "If we had invested the money in a corpus instead of paying for school fees, it would have grown into a small fortune by the time they graduate."
Activities
The Advantages
- Warmer weather: Kids can play almost year-round
- Community kids: Plenty of children around, secure area
- Outdoor freedom: Can spend time outdoors after school and on weekends
- Extracurriculars within community: Basketball, dance, art, and more
- Time saved: No need to drive kids around for regular activities
For specialized training, you still need to go to specific centers outside the community, but for regular activities, the convenience is a huge time-saver.
👨👩👧👦 Dimension 2: Family
Parents
My brother moved to India a few years ago to take care of our parents. Now that I'm also back, I feel so much better knowing I can be around when they need me.
What This Means
- Can take parents for annual health checkups
- Spending quality time with them
- No guilt of being far away when they need us
- Sense of comfort and closeness
Grandparents and Grandchildren
Extended Family
After spending so many years abroad, it's easy to lose touch with extended family as everyone moves along with their own lives. But here, we've had the opportunity to reestablish those connections through different events and regular meetings.
💼 Dimension 3: Career & Entrepreneurship
Corporate World
I'm personally no longer in the corporate world, so I can't comment directly. But from what I've heard from others:
Work Culture Observations
- Odd timings for some meetings can be challenging
- Work culture is improving but still has a way to go compared to abroad
- Product-based companies tend to offer better work-life balance than service-based companies
Entrepreneurship
The Opportunity
One thing that stands out is the sheer number of opportunities here. India's growth is real and you can feel the vibe, especially in cities like Hyderabad. Whether you're looking to build something new or work in a growing field, there is so much happening.
The Challenges
- Inefficiencies and bureaucracies
- Need for multiple follow-ups
- Can be very frustrating
The solution: Over time you can get adjusted or find opportunities that minimize those interactions. It's all about choosing your battles and finding your flow.
📱 Dimension 4: Convenience & Services
The Good
Apps That Make Life Easy
- Zepto, Swiggy: Quick delivery
- Urban Company: Home services
- Dunzo: Easy shipping across the city
These conveniences really free up your time and make life a lot easier.
Domestic Help
Domestic help can definitely assist with chores, giving you more time to focus on what you enjoy.
The Flip Side
It's not all rosy. Managing domestic help comes with its own set of challenges:
- Had to change many maids
- Training them takes time
- Uncertainty if they'll come back after going to hometown
- Supervising them can be stressful
"While the help is great, it's not at all rosy."
🌴 Dimension 5: Lifestyle
💰 Dimension 6: Finances
Fintech Revolution
UPI and Digital Payments
India has made incredible advances in fintech. UPI payments, online banking, digital transactions are so seamless. It makes life very easy and convenient to manage finances here.
Cost of Living
The Reality
- Cost of living is quite high but varies widely by location
- You can get a cup of tea from 20 rupees to 200 rupees - all options available
- It's the lifestyle you choose and you have to pay for it
- In western Hyderabad, cost of living is almost comparable to living abroad
Biggest Expenses
What to Budget For
| Expense | Notes |
|---|---|
| School fees | Major expense, increases annually |
| Housing/Real estate | Quite expensive, especially in western Hyderabad |
| Everything else | Several options to choose from |
Big Surprise
The cost of real estate was a big surprise - it's quite expensive, especially in western Hyderabad.
🌆 Dimension 7: Environment
The Challenges
Yes, pollution and traffic are definitely challenges here. But you have to find ways to work around them:
Coping Strategies
- Travel at non-peak hours if you have flexibility
- Plan your routes
- For us, it's not a deal-breaker - it didn't bother us
Gated Communities
Strong Recommendation
I highly recommend people planning to return to move to gated communities if possible. It helps with a much smoother transition for the family:
- Facilities
- Security
- Presence of like-minded people
These factors are invaluable for making the transition as smooth as possible.
✨ Final Thoughts
No Regrets
"Looking back, my wife and I never really compared our life here to what it would have been if we stayed in US. Instead, we treated this move as starting a new chapter and embraced it wholeheartedly."
"Life in India is different, yes, but it's also dynamic, fulfilling, and rich with opportunities and connections."
"For us, moving when our kids were young felt right - it allowed us to build this life together."
"No regrets of moving to India at all."
Considering Your Own Return to India?
Every family's journey is unique. These 8 dimensions can help you think through what matters most to you. Connect with others who have made the move and learn from their experiences.
Get honest insights from families who have been through the journey.
🎉 Dimension 8: Social Life, Hobbies & Travel
Social Life
Social life has been very vibrant. While busy with family and friends, you'll find plenty of like-minded people.
Unexpected Benefit
One thing I didn't expect: meeting so many of my US friends here! They visit India at least once every two years, so we actually see them more often than when we lived in US (where they might be on East Coast while we were on West Coast).
Surprising Statistic
I'm surprised to see how many NRIs moved back to India. It's still a minority, but more than I imagined. In our community, 30% of residents are returnees.
Hobbies
Active Groups in Hyderabad
Despite concerns about infrastructure for parks or places to run, there are many parks available (you might have to go early). The number of active groups for different hobbies has dramatically changed in the last decade.
Travel
Living in India provides lots of travel opportunities - within the country or around the region. It's easy to go to Southeast Asia and explore.
Food
The options are fantastic in India. Of course, the best food is Indian cuisine - you can't miss it. But you have options from authentic Indian to international dishes. The variety and quality are top-notch.
Some people have concerns about food adulteration. Personally, I think there are several options - you can do your due diligence and get goods from the right vendors.