Non-IT Family Returned to India After 21 Years in the US
Shankar, a PhD mechanical engineer, and Diva returned to Bangalore after 21 years in the US. Learn the exact planning checks behind their non-IT family move: debt-free housing, ICSE school selection, FIRE math, US citizenship flexibility, and real monthly expenses of 50-60K rupees excluding housing and school fees.
In this story
- Key Highlights from Shankar and Diva's Journey
- Can a Non-IT Family Return to India After 21 Years in the US?
- Background: Education and Career in US
- The Decision: When and Why They Decided to Move
- Planning Process: City, Housing, and Timeline
- Financial Planning: 401K, Investments, and Property
- Kids' School Selection: ICSE Curriculum Choice
- Career in India: Non-IT Opportunities
- Life in India: Adjustments and Expenses
- Advice for NRIs Considering the Move
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Articles
Shankar, a PhD mechanical engineer, and Diva returned to Bangalore after 21 years in the US. Their plan is useful for non-IT NRI families comparing debt-free housing, ICSE school selection, FIRE timing, US citizenship flexibility, and real monthly expenses of 50-60K rupees.
Key Highlights from Shankar and Diva's Journey
- Shankar: PhD in Mechanical Engineering, worked at same company for 14 years
- Diva: Quantitative Finance background, worked in oil and gas industry for 15 years
- Got US citizenship in 2019 - gave them flexibility to return if needed
- Bought and paid off apartment in Bangalore before moving
- Daughter was 9 at time of move - adjusted within 5-6 months
- Monthly expenses: 50-60K rupees (excluding housing and school fees)
- Chose ICSE curriculum school within 5km of home
- Key insight: Have debt-free house before moving - it's make or break
The FIRE Dimension: "If you want to do FIRE, then moving to India would be a good option. You can achieve financial independence here much faster with the savings you have from the US."
Can a Non-IT Family Return to India After 21 Years in the US?
Yes, but Shankar and Diva's story works because the hard constraints were solved before landing in Bangalore. They had a paid-off apartment, a clear school shortlist, US citizenship as an exit option, consolidated US accounts, and a realistic non-IT career path instead of a vague hope that India would automatically feel easier.
Use This as the Decision Checklist
| Decision Area | What Worked in This Story | Risk if Unsolved |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Paid-off Bangalore apartment before the move. | Rent or EMI can break FIRE math and add pressure to accept a poor job fit. |
| School | ICSE school within 5 km, with returnee-student experience. | Long commutes, language gaps, or high-pressure schools can dominate the first year. |
| Career | Mechanical engineering GCC role in Bangalore, with niche data-center cooling expertise. | Non-IT roles can be backend/support heavy unless niche expertise and location fit. |
| US Assets | 401(k), IRA, HSA, bank, 529, and investment accounts consolidated before moving. | Scattered accounts create access, tax, and paperwork problems after relocation. |
| Backup Plan | US citizenship gave the family a practical option to reverse if needed. | Without citizenship, OCI, savings, or visa clarity, trial-return risk is higher. |
Use the return planner to map the same decisions for your household, then compare school timing with the NRI school guide and US-account timing with the NRI return finance checklist.
Background: Education and Career in US
Shankar's Journey
Shankar is originally from Kerala. He did his 12th in Kerala, then moved to Durgapur for engineering at REC Durgapur (now NIT). He graduated in 2001 - a year when almost everyone got placed in good jobs but no one had a joining date due to the economic situation. Their story is valuable for NRI families planning their return.
Shankar's Path to the US
- 2001: Graduated engineering, no joining dates available
- 2002: Started Masters at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater
- 2004: Completed Masters
- After Masters: Continued for PhD
- Career: Two companies - first for short time, then current company for 14 years
Diva's Journey
Diva was born and raised in Trichy, Tamil Nadu. She did her undergraduate at BITS Pilani (Master of Management Studies), worked in Gurgaon for a couple of years, then went to Oklahoma State University for Masters in Quantitative Finance.
Diva's Career
- Education: BITS Pilani, then Oklahoma State University (Quantitative Finance)
- Industry: Oil and gas - the bread and butter of Oklahoma/Texas
- First Company: Citgo Petroleum - worked there for most of her time in Texas (almost 15 years)
- Location: Mostly Texas, briefly in Baltimore (didn't like East Coast, moved back to Texas)
For families considering similar moves, understanding financial planning for NRI return is essential.
The Decision: When and Why They Decided to Move
Shankar jokingly says that one of his conditions for marriage was that they have to come back to India eventually. But they never put a realistic timeline on it.
The Timeline
Key Milestones
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2017-2018 | Started having discussions about moving back |
| 2019 | Got US citizenship - gave flexibility |
| 2020 | COVID hit - everything came to grinding halt |
| Aug-Sep 2021 | Shankar reopened the discussion |
| 2022 | Registered apartment in Bangalore |
| ~2 years ago | Made the move to India |
The COVID Wake-Up Call
During COVID, they mentally prepared that they would never go back. But when things settled in 2021, Shankar reopened the discussion.
The Checklist Approach
Diva was initially 60-40 on the decision. They created a huge checklist:
- What exactly are we giving up?
- What would we be gaining going back?
- Qualitative factors that can't be quantified
- Career considerations
- Kids' education
The US Citizenship Advantage
"We have US citizenship, so fingers crossed if things don't work out, there's always an exit plan for us to go back. There are no visa dependencies compared to where majority of our friends are."
Planning Process: City, Housing, and Timeline
Why Bangalore?
The city choice was relatively straightforward:
Reasons for Choosing Bangalore
- Family: Diva's parents retired and moved to Bangalore
- Job opportunities: Many more opportunities than other cities
- Weather: Unparalleled (at least for now)
- Existing investment: Already had an apartment in Bangalore
- Kerala proximity: Close to Shankar's hometown
They also considered Coimbatore but Bangalore won due to job opportunities and proximity to Diva's parents.
The First Two Years: Pros and Cons
The first two years of their six-year planning period were spent on dinner table conversations:
- What would we miss?
- What would we gain?
- Are we being unfair to the kids?
- Are we taking opportunities from them?
- What would we deal with if we stayed?
Housing Decision
They bought an under-construction property in Bangalore and paid it off in stages before moving. By 2020 or mid-2020, they had paid off most of it, with only a small amount remaining for registration which they did in 2022.
Critical Advice on Housing
"You should have a real estate paid off in India. I think that is absolutely important. That is a make or break in your financial calculation. If you have a monthly EMI or rent, that really puts a wrench in your plans and you're stuck for a long time."
Financial Planning: 401K, Investments, and Property
Both Shankar and Diva were employed, so they both had 401Ks through their employers.
Investment Strategy in the US
- Maxed out 401Ks with company match
- Put money in IRAs
- Put money in HSAs (every tax savings opportunity)
- Built equity in US house (not much mortgage left when leaving)
- Bought and paid off apartment in Bangalore
- 529 plan for daughter's potential US education
Consolidation Before Moving
When they decided for good in 2022 that they were moving:
Steps Taken
- Consolidated all US accounts
- Kept one active bank account in the US (Fidelity)
- Consolidated 401Ks into IRA
- Used Fidelity's investment management services (small commission but worth it for having someone physically in the US)
- Brought some cash to India for initial needs
- Most savings still reside in the US (including house sale proceeds)
The FIRE Dimension
Shankar had thoughts about FIRE in 2019 and worked through various models:
FIRE Insight
"I found out that I could achieve FIRE in the US maybe at a later age, but if you want to do FIRE, then moving to India would be a very good option. You can achieve it here much faster with the savings you have from the US."
Kids' School Selection: ICSE Curriculum Choice
Their daughter Diksha was 9 years old when they moved - going into 7th grade. School selection was a major consideration.
Selection Criteria
What They Looked For
- Location: Within 5km radius of their home
- Teaching style: Similar to American public education system
- Experience: School experienced with students returning from abroad
- Cost: Not the very expensive 8-10 lakh international schools
- Approach: Progressive, not high pressure in primary grades
The Choice: ICSE Curriculum
They chose NAFFL (National Academy for Learning) at Basaveshwaranagar, an ICSE curriculum school.
Language Adjustment
For Kannada (the local language), their daughter started from first grade level even though she was in 7th grade. This is a government norm - whenever someone moves from another state or country, they start the regional language from first grade.
Kannada in 9th Grade
In 9th grade, Kannada is not mandatory (at least until now). So she's now just doing Hindi and English. The question papers had multiple-choice questions that helped students manage even if they couldn't recognize all options.
Adjustment Timeline
Their daughter landed in India on June 5th. School was reopening on June 7th. She went to school on June 8th and came back "all smiles."
Key Insight on Kids
"At times as parents we end up overthinking, putting ourselves in our kids' shoes. But they are so malleable, they adjust and adapt so well. Sometimes we project our insecurities on our kids saying they won't adjust - but that's our insecurity about whether WE will adjust."
Career in India: Non-IT Opportunities
Shankar provides valuable insights for non-IT professionals considering the move.
The Mechanical Engineering Landscape
Then vs Now
When Shankar graduated (2001): "There was absolutely nothing for mechanical engineers. Hindustan Motors came to our college and they would hire students but not give salary - they were passed for 6-8 months of arrears. Almost everyone in my batch went into IT."
Now: "Things have changed dramatically. Many GCCs (Global Capability Centers) exist - Boeing, Danfoss, Carrier, Trane, Airbus. They pay pretty well."
Current Limitations
Shankar notes that while opportunities exist, there are still limitations:
Reality Check
"You might not find the right kind of work you do in the US or Europe here. Even though it's a GCC for mechanical engineering, the GCC is still doing more of a backend job. You don't have the free hand - you're always supporting a project that is globally done somewhere else."
The Future is Bright
However, things are changing:
Shankar's Current Role
Shankar works at Danfoss as a subject matter expert in data center cooling - a very niche field with huge potential given AI and data center growth. He's the only one like him in India in his company, but they're developing teams that can take projects from start to finish.
Life in India: Adjustments and Expenses
It's been almost 2 years since they moved, and despite challenges, they're loving every bit of it.
The Best Parts
What They Love
- Family proximity: Diva's parents live next door - independent but just a call away
- Extended family: Shankar's parents visit for extended periods, Kerala is overnight train journey
- House help: Maid comes every day (they never experienced this before)
- Family replaced friends: Brothers, family members are just a phone call away
- Travel: Just finished a trip to Norway for summer holidays
The Challenge: Making Friends
One thing they haven't been able to replace is their friend circle from the US:
However, they've been busy with family every weekend, so they haven't ventured out much for new friendships.
Monthly Expenses
Real Numbers
| Category | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Living | 50,000-60,000 rupees | Excluding housing and school fees |
| Housing | Paid off | Own apartment in Bangalore |
| School Fees | Paid annually | Not included in monthly |
| Travel | Separate budget | International travel (Norway, etc.) |
Note: They eat out at both local dhabas and high-end restaurants. Same standard of living as the US.
The Flexibility of India
"You can live at any income level you want in India. People always say India is expensive, but I find it's not necessarily expensive. You can live at any level you choose. The range is huge - from 20 rupees chai to 200-500 rupees chai. It's up to you."
Advice for NRIs Considering the Move
Key Recommendations
- Have a paid-off house: This is make or break for financial calculations
- Fund children's education: Have enough savings to cover education up to university level
- Right age window for kids: Not too young, not too old - around 9-10 is good
- Right age window for parents: Not too young (they can take care of themselves) and not too old (you won't enjoy the move)
- Prepare kids mentally: Use hypothetical conversations like "if we were in India, this is how it would be"
- Choose school carefully: Look for schools experienced with returnee students
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a non-IT NRI family check before returning to India after 20 years in the US?
Check six items before fixing a move date: whether India housing is debt-free or rent-safe, whether school admission works for the child's grade and language level, whether one spouse has a realistic India career path, whether US retirement accounts and bank access are consolidated, whether parents need support now rather than later, and whether the family has a backup plan such as US citizenship, OCI, or enough savings to reverse the move.
Is Bangalore a good return city for non-IT NRI families?
Bangalore can work well for non-IT NRI families when the job cluster, school radius, family support, and housing line up. Shankar and Diva chose Bangalore because of family proximity, existing property, weather, Kerala access, and better career options than smaller cities. The warning is that Bangalore becomes expensive and stressful if housing, school commute, and job location are not solved before the move.
Why did Shankar and Diva decide to move back to India after 21 years?
The primary reasons were: 1) Aging parents - COVID showed them their parents were aging faster than anticipated, 2) Shankar always wanted to return since going to the US, 3) They had US citizenship which gave them flexibility to return if things didn't work out, 4) Their daughter was 9 years old - the right age window for kids to adjust, 5) FIRE consideration - moving to India would help achieve financial independence faster, 6) They wanted their daughter to experience family connections and Indian culture.
What is their monthly expense in India excluding housing and school fees?
Shankar and Diva spend around 50,000-60,000 rupees per month excluding housing (they own their apartment) and school fees (paid annually). This includes eating out at both local dhabas and high-end restaurants, household expenses, and general living costs. They maintain the same standard of living they had in the US. They also travel internationally - they just finished a trip to Norway for summer holidays.
How did they choose the school for their daughter?
They chose NAFFL (National Academy for Learning) at Basaveshwaranagar, an ICSE curriculum school. Key criteria: 1) Within 5km radius of their home, 2) Teaching style similar to American public education system, 3) School experienced in helping kids transition from abroad, 4) Not a very expensive international school (8-10 lakh fees), 5) Progressive approach without high pressure in primary grades. Their daughter adjusted within 5-6 months and now has sleepovers with friends.
Planning Your Family's Return to India?
Shankar and Diva's story shows that with proper planning - especially around housing, finances, and kids' education - a successful return is very achievable. Connect with others who have made similar transitions.
Get insights from families who have successfully navigated the return journey with children.
