Watch: After 46 Years in US, Why This Doctor Chose India for Retirement

3:15 Then I trained in I'm an anesthesiologist by specialty with to specialize in you know pediatric which is children anesthesia and heart surgery both of those I have been in in anesthesia practice for last 33 years >> so I'm close to retirement and as things have gone obviously I have become aware how to retire, where to retire and what to do. And so in the process obviously I'm looking here also and then last year I was visiting India and this aana thing somehow I was you know going through Facebook or Instagram and it showed up and I kind of became curious about it inquired it and then I came in touch with Sachi.

4:16 So we briefly talked in India and when I mentioned that I'm I do live in US and so when I when I got back here we connected and so that's the background and you know obviously yeah family wise I'm married my wife is also from Banaras I have one daughter who's grown she's 30 30 years old and she's a data scientist working in Atlanta. >> Fantastic. Thanks a lot Dr. Singh for that overview. So sounds like I think you know more than four decades like you know someone who went to US for bachelors. So >> 46 years 46 >> 46 years. So that's a quite a long time. It's most so how was the life in US

5:02 And for the 46 years I'm sure like things have changed evolved so much with the technology. So just curious about that. Yeah, >> it has been fantastic. I mean much much better than I would have ever imagined. on a personal you know professionally, personally and just for information I have most of my family over the year has moved to US. >> Yeah. >> So as a whole we are almost close to 50 to 60 people in US. >> Wow. Okay. yeah only one cousin has left in India. So but no I think life has been very very good for me.

5:48 >> And especially you know I'm a physician so has done very well as a doctor and as far as you know affordability is concerned. Yeah I can afford a retirement place here and there. >> Sure. Yes. And yeah so that is that >> and go ahead then

6:10 >> so I think you kind of touched about this so I think you're getting close to the retirement and you have evaluated different options so just curious why India like you know when you have most of the family members in US you have your daughter and you know you spend close to 46 years why India and why not US like what's was your decision framework and the thought process behind Great. >> Yeah. So, you know, I'm sure every one has their own reason. In my case has been one is I think growing up in the village. So even after all these the I always feel connected to the place because in the villages things don't change as much. So when I visit and and I'll come back to you but so when I visit even after this year >> I may not know everyone in that village but everyone else seems to know me who I am.

7:09 >> So it's pretty welcoming. but the way things went for me obviously you know coming to US. So first first time I visited India was after seven year while I was in you know medical school and then second time it took me another six year to visit. But once I started working, I always have liked the country, my our culture, our language and I always have visited Banaras and I enjoy visiting there. the other thing is I had not seen a rest of the India when I was growing up. It just did not happen. So my curiosity has always remained. So as time has gone I have taken opportunities to visit different different part of India and just seem to like it so much.

8:04 So that is there and I haven't found no reason not to visit or not to like and so that's where and you know and it's still I especially since I've been working you know is I mean in terms of finances and coming and going you know it's pretty affordable to me. So I mean you know people who know physicians are pretty well paid so you know finances are not a problem. >> So every year I visit India and then you know I usually end up still going to Vanasi because my ancestral home is still there and my wife's family is in India. >> They live in Vani.

8:50 So you know my connection has always been >> okay >> and that's why you know and especially for last 15 20 years the advancement there the way it has happened in terms of you know infrastructure technology the food I mean it just more and more exciting and attractive. >> Got it. So sounds like I think your heart is always there. I think you are always connected and you visit regularly and you've been in touch. so just

9:23 Curious I think you know you coming from a medical background have you thought about the health care in US versus in India especially as you you know you know getting older you know that's an important aspect just curious what are your thoughts on that yeah that is and I think that's one of the reason has made me to explore I mean people who are I'm obviously I'm in the medical field so I know in and out of it and medical you know career is great you know and that is there the only thing is there is a lack of manpower here you know there are not is you know obviously in India we have lot of people here I'm you know I'm a physician I see what happens in the hospitals yeah we have fantastic buildings fantastic rooms and many time we cannot admit a patient to the hospital simply there is no provider.

10:22 >> Got it. >> So you know in my mind that is and so will come to retirement age you know. Yeah there are assisted livingings here. >> Yeah >> there are nursing homes. I have visited all of them. you know as a doctor another way assisted living is very very expensive here and just some you know for information those who know it starts from $7,000 per month $7,000 per month and you can go up to $25,000 depending how fancy you want. that does not guarantee you you know everything you want. I mean and it is limited with the you know having not a provider. So to me that's somewhat it's a major negative part of it and and you speak to anybody everyone is worried about it that especially in

11:24 The older age when we not working and we don't have insurance medical care is very very expensive. >> Yeah. So that is one despite having fantastic quality and you know I mean if I have you know health issue I would probably still prefer to do it here because one is I'm part of it and I can afford it but those who can't and I think based on what I hear and few times I have interacted in India in the hospitals things have improved and there are a lot of very good doctors lot of facilities are there Even one or two hospitals I have you know visited in India in my hometown and there are a lot of good people so it depends you know so I'm kind of have a open mind on this thing >> got it understood so just to make sure

12:18 That I get this clarified so you mentioned about 7,000 to 25,000 per month you know depending on the services >> is that per person or for family just curious on that in terms of like >> per person per person >> that's quite expensive like you know yeah just the the starting barrier itself is just so high in terms of that yeah >> and and then you can see you know because I am a second generation here so my parents my father and you know other b few uncles lived they lived at home and they died at home because yeah assisted living is for you know if you are I mean absolutely if you don't have any option you will go or many people I mean I see patients all the time especially you know the the Caucasian population here a 90 year old lady living herself at home 85 year old living at herself simply because that's the way they you

13:18 Know the culture is here the structure is here yeah if they can afford they like to live in the but but you know most people can't afford 7,000 10,000 per month >> Yes, some people do. So those are the one who go in the assisted living and eventually you know when you can't do anything then you can go to nursing home and again that's a whole different way of doing it because the government does pay some of some of it and then you know I mean that's a whole different topic you can talk for days about.

13:54 >> Cool. so just to expand on your thought process of moving to India for retirement like is the plan to spend most of the time there or spend time between both countries because you have family members. Just curious like you know having that as a location but spend time in both countries just curious on that. >> Yeah to me I like the option of having it. So you know and and I have followed one or two my friends doctor friends who in fact they have a place in Guraw and he has retired for last 10 years and I I usually talk to him. >> Yeah. So and I was just giving the example and that's what the same process I have said that you know I can go there be there three month 3 month four month five months as long as the health is good and easy to travel back and forth and location wise that's one of the thing I like the bi property of Aana because it's only an hour from the

14:55 Airport and my is let's say if I need to get out in emergency for whatever reason. Yeah. I can take the driver come to airport and just fly out, you know. >> So, but I no I think the plan is to be back and forth. There's no, you know, reason for me to you know, but but I think at some point I've watched enough people when you the health you know let's say had deteriorated and it becomes travel then you know we we'll make a decision where where to be. >> Yeah. and we'll see which one offer the best but I think I like the option of having it both places. >> No, no, thanks for sharing that. So once

15:36 You made a decision that you want to move to India as a family like how did you down select the place like I know you and your wife are from Vanasi like did you have you considered that you know Vanasi or neighborhood or like how did you go about which place you wanted to select you know where you want to live in India. >> Right. So I mean BC is fine and you know when we visit the only thing changing is slowly the people we know you know they either they are moving out or or have died. So eventually the social connection is vanishing there. Yeah, >> that is one the and but still you know like my wife's family that's when I visit and that option will still be >> Yeah. but I think biadi I like the closeness to the airport that's very important because you know when we right

16:36 Now when we land is still you know it takes some effort to be able to get to vani you know whether we have to take another collective flight or or take the train and those are there but I think at that stage I find and that the I like the basically the the closeness is making more sense to me >> that yeah easy you know when I land I can you know somebody can drive me there or I when I have to leave I can simply take you know >> have my own car or have a driver and bring there so it in it will be easy in and out yeah >> and also you know the way that's we can you know talk about how the like the the way the compound they have shown me in other people that you know there >> yeah makes sense

17:23 >> so I think it makes sense like in terms of how you selected the place. so why active senior community versus a gated community? I know you mentioned about you know the doctors that you know who has retired 10 years back. I don't know the path they have taken and what helped you in like kind of deciding instead of like having individual home gated community versus active senior community right just curious on that thought process how you down selected to an active senior community. So one is I think you know by age I'm a senior myself now so that is there yeah I'm in a good health active but that's not too far away. So you know I mean the age group and and I believe yeah I think the way this compound is set up that you know I think over 17 18 acre the whole thing is at one place and I think they is it is gated and has a security

18:24 And also you know they sounds like Tiana people will provide all the manpower whether you know let's say they have a cafeteria area where we can you know eat whatever we want the drivers there or if we can hire even personnel also. So to it make it makes more sense to me that there are people as long as you know we are willing to spend money and they will willing to provide all these services. So that is one I think safety will be very important in community like this. Yeah, I can buy a very fancy apartment any part of India I want to but then you have to have a take care and other things. So that's you know for that reason I think this is making more sense and then you know being able to other people who have same age group maybe they have similar mindset interacting with them looking forward to it you know >> yeah perfectly makes sense I think

19:24 Services makes a big difference I think even managing the household help itself is could be a big task having that someone taking care of it and you know nothing to worry about from a food like having a like-minded people it definitely helps Makes sense.

19:38 >> so if you can talk a little bit about some of the features or like some of the services that Ashana is providing that you liked you know when selecting that particular project and maybe you can compare and contrast because you have looked at the assisted living here in US so that people can get an good flavor of the differences in terms of the services maybe and in terms of the pricing in terms of customer service in terms of amenities functionality I mean if there's anything that you can provide a compare and contrast between these two facilities the one in US and one in India >> right so let me say this that I have not visited the place yet >> yeah I mean you know because when I was you know and but I think based on you know other gentlemen Moit very nice guy so he had shown me the videos and you know and in fact the the particular flat they have assigned me he had sent me you what's going on there. So based

20:38 On that and also seeing the property by video and and also what mention you know they mentioned that yeah they do have facility wise and service wise yes I mean concept of cafeteria is very good u you know that you can eat when let's say you don't want to cook you eat other thing I I'm assuming in India if it is like banana yeah we can hire our own and and also kind of relying on the help from ASEAN itself has placed you know in terms of I mean again I don't know who else are there but based on what I've been told that yeah there are drivers there are you know cooks there are laundry men there are you know tailor and all sorts of facilities are there and I looking forward to it if you contrast that with US you have to do all these your own.

21:38 >> Yes. >> Unfortunately. Yeah. I mean there some super rich can have but that concept is not there. I mean yeah we have a you know fantastic nice house but it's still the cooking has to be done by my wife and me some time to time. laundry we have to do our own. Yeah. I mean you know like yard work most people hire. I mean I don't like so yeah I have hire yeah we have people who come to clean the houses. >> I mean you can but I think it's a lot more easier I I see there than here. >> You know and I guess you mentioned about affordability.

22:25 Yeah. I think that I found the proper this particular property quite affordable. you know so for me it's fine. I I mean I don't know I can't speak other people but for me it's quite affordable and that's why I'm buying it and yeah I can if I need I'll mean I think I'll probably have something here u I mean that's the plan you know >> cool makes sense so just I think

22:54 Curious if you're open about like how did your u daughter took this like I think you know you spending time there and here and you and your wife how how you thought about it? >> my daughter is supportive because you know once she you know is growing up here, grew up here and she saw how you know like how my parents you know lived here and passed away eventually. I have few two uncles and aunts who lived here and passed away. And also being a physician you know I have always discussed with her and and I think example will be let's say if I rely on her to take care of me when I'm really old.

23:46 Yes she has own her own family her own obligation and pretty demanding jobs you know she's a high you know position job. So is that's not easy you know for anybody as and in fact as a doctor I found myself is difficult to be my father all the time I wanted you know so so you know there are professional obligation and family obligation but no she's receptive as long as you know like able to come and in fact she like the location that is let's say she has to visit yeah she land she can land in Delhi and then reach there in in an hour or two in fact that's why we we we are I think the property we are getting is threebedroom so there is a there will be designated bedroom for her also to come and visit. No she's very supportive and I think it's a practical issue. It's not you know that things will just happen and and I see enough people around me that if you don't

24:47 Plan you do end up being alone whether you are Americanb born or Indian born and I know many many men and women the if the spouse one a spouse is not around they are living alone >> very very true I mean again I think as you rightly said this is a practical thing I mean this is something that people have to think through and make a decision you know what makes sense. Yeah.

25:12 Thanks a lot. Is there anything that we haven't covered that you would like to bring up? maybe any advice for people who are thinking about retiring in India or US? something that they can consider. So anything that we haven't covered? I mean you know I will speak from my own experience and I think every you know people have to decide for own but if you are open-minded and to me India was my birth country even though you know I moved here for you know and had been very successful and every aspect of life but somehow I kept liking the motherland also and and I think to me It's an actually an opportunity you know that I have option of choosing there and here and spec and now let's say if I retire in one or two year I could expect to live another 20 years probably

26:14 It gives me option to come go and back you know and and one of the thing I would mention especially from my friend who visits because I had spoken to him one time I asked him when you go there what do you do. >> And and one thing he told me that you know that from there he travels all other part of the world. So for example I have never been to you know East Asian countries like China, Cambodia, not all these places. So I look forward to it that yeah if I come there while I'm there I can travel all those countries. There is still many many parts of India I have not seen looking forward to do all those because I have been very very busy while I've been working and but I think looking forward to it and then in in a year or two so you know people have to choose but I think open-mindness is needed.

27:11 >> And I think the country has made significant advancement in terms of infrastructures. I when I go there same thing is available there what's available here >> earlier it was not the case so you know I think good thing have happened >> yeah there was one thing that I just

27:32 Thought about like for how long have you been planning about this retirement like you know is it like 2 years 3 years or some time just curious on >> for last two years >> yeah and it has to with you know professionally I was practicing it in one place for last 17 years and then two years back I made a switch and then I now I live you know where I live is a actually it's a major city is Charlotte and we are in Charlotte suburb most people will know what that where that city is so after moving then I realized that I should be thinking where to retire higher and you know and this thing showed up and to me it just made more sense and and I'm I and I'm somebody who makes decision quickly I don't have a problem >> you know no thanks a lot Dr. ing for

28:33 Sharing your story, for giving the thought process and how you made the decision and giving a framework and I think as you rightly said people have to be open-minded and be practical about their needs and make a decision. So really appreciate you taking the time and talking to us. >> Yeah, I mean you know positive and negative are both places. Yes. >> And you just have to decide for yourself. >> Rightly said there is no perfect place on the earth. It's just like what you need at a given time and just make it. >> Okay. Thank you.