Is Money Everything? NRI's Guide to Finding Happiness Back in India | 17 Years Experience
Renu was born in West Africa, raised in Hong Kong, lived in Canada for 13 years. In 2007, she moved to India with three kids aged 7, 14, and 18. After 17 years in Pune, she shares why quality of life in India beats being a 'millionaire' abroad.
In this story
Renu was born in West Africa, raised in Hong Kong, lived in Canada for 13 years. In 2007, she moved to Pune with three children aged 7, 14, and 18. After 17 years in India, she shares why quality of life here beats being a "millionaire" abroad.
Key Insights from This Story
- 17 years in Pune after living internationally her entire life
- 3 kids at different ages: 7, 14, and 18 when they moved
- Quality of life vs being a "millionaire" who mows their own lawn
- 8 years with mother before she passed in 2015
- IB school for kids planning to return to Canada for higher education
- OCI + Canadian passport: Lives visa-free, pays taxes in India
Renu's International Background
Renu Sakrani has lived internationally her entire life—she never actually lived in India before moving to Pune in 2007.
Life Journey Timeline
| Period | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Birth | West Africa | Father was working there |
| Early 1970s | India | Couple of years |
| Early 1970s onwards | Hong Kong | Grew up, went to school, got married, had first child |
| 1989 | Hong Kong | Tiananmen Square massacre—decided to leave |
| 1994 | Canada (Vancouver) | Moved with two young children (5 years and 1.5 years) |
| 1994-2007 | Vancouver, Canada | 13 years, third child born |
| 2007 | Pune, India | Moved with three kids (18, 14, 7) |
| 2007-Present | Pune, India | 17 years and counting |
Why Leave Hong Kong?
In 1989, Renu watched the Tiananmen Square massacre happen—the same year her first child was born. She was fearful of Hong Kong's political future.
She visited the US but didn't like it. Canada felt right. It took 4 years to get the visa because many Hong Kong people were trying to leave due to government insecurity.
Why She Chose India
In 2007, Renu made the decision to leave Canada after 13 years. Her husband at the time had said he would join her in two years when she first moved to Canada—but that didn't happen. She was essentially a single parent.
The Breaking Point
- Done with shoveling snow
- Done with mowing her own lawn
- Done being a parent living out of her car—one child has baseball, one has hockey, one needs French school
- Done with washing bathrooms
- Wanted a better quality of life
💡 The Realization
Renu visited India every year or two with the kids and saw the changes happening. She realized:
Family Factor
Her father passed away in 1996, leaving her mother alone. Her mother would come spend 6 months each year in Canada. By moving to India, Renu was able to give her mother 8 good years before she passed in 2015.
Quality of Life: India vs Abroad
Renu has strong views on what "quality of life" really means—and it's not about being a millionaire on paper.
The "Millionaire" Question
Renu's challenge: "If you tell me you're a millionaire, come to India and experience being a millionaire. Have someone do these jobs for you. Enjoy the wealth you've acquired over 20-25-30 years."
Life in the Western World
- Lonely—unless you live in a subdivision with many Indians
- Help not easily available
- If you have an accident, people hesitate to help
- Neighbors can be far apart—"even if somebody's dead in your neighbor's house, you won't know"
Life in India
- Have an accident? 10 people come to help—offer water, check if you're okay, take you to hospital
- Helper comes 2 hours daily
- When sick, one phone call and help arrives
- During COVID, her helper brought tiffin and left it outside the door
- Driver services on demand—going to a party and want to drink? Call a driver, they come, wait, bring you back
- Support system—can call someone at 4am and one of three numbers will show up
💰 Financial Reality
- 7.5% interest on fixed deposits—no country gives that
- Her brother argues rupee is devaluing. Her response: "If I'm earning in rupees and spending in rupees, how does it matter? It only bothers me when I buy dollars to visit the US."
- Can wire $100,000 to US from India easily—no questions asked
- Wiring money FROM US? "You've got to sign 50 pages of paperwork"
How the Kids Adapted
Renu moved with three children at very different ages: 18, 14, and 7. Each had a unique experience.
The Eldest (18 years old)
- Joined college in India
- Adapted well—drank chai at the canteen, rode an Activa scooty
- Some challenges because she didn't speak Hindi well (understood from Bollywood films)
- Did couple of years in India, then moved to Canada for Masters in English (2011)
- Just blended in
The Middle Child (14 years old) — Greatest Disconnect
- Didn't speak Hindi
- Was in school with politician sons, lawyer sons—very affluent background
- Renu bought a secondhand car; he got out while others got out of Mercedes and BMW
- Wanted to return to Canada immediately after graduating
- The minute he graduated, he headed back to Canada (as planned—they had educational savings there)
The Youngest (7 years old) — Easiest Adaptation
- Her only condition: "If the dog goes, I go"
- Spent 7 years in India before transferring to Hong Kong (where her dad was), then back to Canada
- Now 24 years old, says she's "from Pune" because her formative years were there
- Loves coming back—has good friends she's still in touch with
- Says: "Mama, the guys and girls in Pune are so nice. In Canada, I can't find people who would pick me up or drop me home or be concerned if I got home safe."
School Choice: IB Curriculum
Renu chose an IB (International Baccalaureate) school because:
- Children wanted to go back to Canada for further studies
- Had money in educational savings plan in Canada
- Didn't put them in local school—14-year-old wouldn't have adapted without Hindi
Admission: With OCI status, they got in as locals. Paid local fees, got PAN card. No exorbitant fees.
Key Parenting Insight
If you are convinced this is what you want and you are not in a dilemma, everything else falls into place.
If you constantly complain after coming back—"the country is this, it's that"—and identify all shortcomings, your children will follow suit. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Children are very resilient. They bounce back.
Advantages of Living in India
Digitization & Convenience
- UPI payments everywhere—from panwala to shopping malls
- Buy one cigarette for ₹20? Pay by phone. Panwala says "scan karo"
- Get shoe repaired at mochi? Pay by phone
- No cash needed for even the simplest transactions
- Banking has become incredibly easy
COVID Experience: India's Unity
Renu lived 56 days alone in her apartment during COVID lockdown. Buying groceries was challenging—she opted for online purchasing.
When she went down without her phone, the delivery person said: "You go up, take your groceries, and pay us when you're safe in your apartment."
Renu's point: "You cannot go to Costco, Walmart, Kroger, Safeway—buy groceries and leave without paying. Only in India. The whole country came together."
Healthcare Access
Renu contrasts India with other countries:
- Canada: Medical system has failed. People with brain tumors on 3-year waiting lists for surgery.
- UK: Similar healthcare delays
- India: Accessible healthcare when you need it
Everything is Available
There's nothing that's not available in India if you're willing to pay:
- Avocados: ₹500 for four
- Imported cherries: Available
- Whatever you want—it's here
What India Holds
- Humanity
- Love
- Unity
- Compassion
- Digitization
Safety as a Single Woman
Renu's Experience
Renu lives in India by herself and has never felt unsafe.
- Her mother lived alone in an apartment after her father passed—never felt unsafe
- Of course there are pockets and places you wouldn't venture to in every city, every country
- But by and large, as a woman living by herself: "Yes, absolutely safe"
Support System
Renu has three phone numbers she can call at 4am—one of the three will show up, no questions asked.
Real Story: Helping a Stranger
At midnight, Renu picked up a boy who fell off his bike. She was alone but still drove him home. Another Good Samaritan drove his bike to his building.
Result: They've never met since, but he WhatsApps her, asks how she's doing, checked on her during COVID. He says: "Ma'am, I would really like to meet you. I don't forget the good deed."
Renu's point: "These things happen. I can tell you numerous incidents where I realized this was one of the best decisions I made."
Advice for Returning NRIs
Make the Decision with Conviction
If you're wishy-washy and still on the fence, it's not going to help. You have to do this with conviction.
"This is what I want to do. I've made enough money. I would like to now live a comfortable life."
Find a Good Chartered Accountant
For questions about bringing money in, taxation rules, different investment channels—a good CA who handles both local people and NRIs is essential.
Renu found one who sorted out all her queries and has recommended him to many friends.
Explore Investment Options
India has many channels where your money can work for you:
- Mutual funds
- Shares
- Fixed deposits (7.5% interest)
- Set up monthly income from interest without touching principal
Don't Expect the Same Salary
You may not get a $200,000 job in India. But consider:
- Cost of living is much lower
- Quality of life can be much higher
- Less stress
For Parents with Children
Give children options: "Finish high school here, and if you want to go back for college, go back."
At least the family is together. You don't live with guilt of not being with your parents for their last years.
⚠️ What NOT to Do
Don't be like people who lived in India their entire lives, go to US for 2-3 years, come back and say "India is a horrible country, US is so much better."
Renu's response: "Then you don't need to come back. Stay in the US and face the consequences of gun violence."
Key Takeaways
Renu's 17-Year Verdict
- Best decision she made—no regrets
- Quality of life beats being a "millionaire" who does their own chores
- 8 years with mother before she passed—priceless
- Children adapted—even the 14-year-old who struggled most
- Support system—never alone, always someone to call
- India teaches patience—and rewards it with compassion
Related Resources
Official Resources
Related Articles
- NRI Financial Planning: FCNR, RNOR & Tax Guide — Expert advice on managing finances when returning
- Best Cities for NRIs Returning to India — Compare Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad and more
- How NRI Kids Adapt to Schools in India — IB, CBSE, and curriculum choices
- Canada to India Financial Planning & Housing — Real numbers on expenses, housing, and lifestyle trade-offs
Connect with Other Returning NRIs
Join a community of NRIs who have made the move or are planning to. Share experiences, get advice, and find your support system.
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