Watch: Why Moving Back Home Can Be a Tough Decision | R2I | NRI | Back to India
Moving back to India is emotional, personal, and complicated. Learn the 6 factors that make it tough and 5 practical steps to make an informed decision.
The full write-up, with the numbers and the links.
Chapters
- 0:00 Introduction
- 0:58 Push Pull
- 2:13 Identity Crisis
- 2:59 Fear of Starting Over
- 4:00 Career Financial Considerations
- 4:45 Family Expectations
- 5:43 Lack of Clear Process
- 6:04 Mindset Shift
- 7:00 Practical Steps
- 10:08 Conclusion
Transcript
Auto-generated captions, lightly cleaned
0:02 Hey everyone, welcome back to this returned. Today's topic is the one that hits close to home literally. If you are living abroad, you have probably thought at some point, should I move back home? And if you have ever tried to answer that question seriously, you know it's not easy. In this video, we are going to unpack why moving back to India or your home country can be one of the toughest decisions for people living abroad. It's emotional, personal and sometimes it's complicated. And we also talk about how to approach it in a structured, rational and confident way. So whether you are actively planning or just contemplating, stick around. This video is for you.
1:00 Let's start by acknowledging the reality. Moving back home can be a tough decision. We will talk through this via six factors. The first push and pull factor. There is always a tug of war happening. On one hand, there is a comfort, family and familiarity waiting back home. On the other, career opportunities, lifestyle, and a structure that many enjoy abroad. Let's call it push and pull. The pull from home, aging parents, cultural roots, wanting to raise kids in your values, or just a desire of belonging.
1:52 The push factor from abroad. It could be visa issues, loneliness, cost of living, or just feeling like an outsider. But these forces are not always clearcut. Sometimes you might be doing well abroad but still feel something is
2:13 Missing. Second identity crisis. For many who have spent a decade or more abroad, there is a shift in identity. You're not fully from there anymore, but you're not fully from here either. You might prefer western systems but still want your kids to speak mother tongue or want to celebrate Diwali in a big way. This dual identity creates an internal conflict. You start wondering where do I really belong? One person on our channel put it beautifully. I feel like I belong everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
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3:01 Third, fear of starting over. Let's say you have decided to move back. Then comes the fear of starting over. New job, new home, new routines and even new friends. It's not the same India you left behind. And you are not the same person either. Imagine you have built your life abroad over 10 years, 15 years or even 20 years. Uprooting completely and going home is a very big change. It's about letting go your comfort zone, your daily rhythms and how you see yourself.
3:46 Many fear, what if I don't adjust? What if kids hate it? What if I regret and I can't move back? These whatifs can keep someone stuck for years.
4:03 Both career and financial considerations. Career and money are huge. Salary structures in India can be very different. Job roles may not match your international experience. For dual income families abroad, a move can mean one partner has to pause or reset their career. And from finances, things like dual taxation, retirement planning, kids education, real estate decisions. It's not just move and figure it out later. People want to plan it right. But there is so much to consider.
4:47 Fifth one, family expectation and emotional pressure. Here comes the emotional side. Parents might say, "When are you moving back?" Friends might ask, why would you leave a comfortable life abroad? You feel torn. You want to be there for your parents, but you also want to make decisions that work for your spouse as well as for kids future. And if your partner is not on board with the idea of moving back, it gets even tougher. Your kids might be too settled in their school or social lives. In many cases, one person wants to move but the other doesn't. Navigating that requires compassion, empathy, communication and sometimes compromise.
5:45 And the last one, lack of clear process. There is no guide book, no checklist, no resources, lot of scattered advice and opinions. that uncertaintity and lack of information can be paralyzing in making the decision of moving back home.
6:06 Now, let's tackle this. Over the last couple of years on this channel, I have talked to hundreds of people who have made this move. And here is what I have learned. Before we dive into how to make this decision, here is the mindset shift that I highly recommend. Don't treat it like a yes or no decision. Instead, treat it like a project, something that you can plan, break down, test, and prepare for. It's not about should I move back or not. It is about how do I figure out if moving back is right for me and when is that right timing for me. That's the way to look at this.
7:02 Let's walk through five practical steps you can take to go from a confused and stuck to informed and confident. First get clear on your why. Start writing down why you are considering moving back. Is it to care for your aging parents or to raise your kids with Indian values or because your burnout or visa issues or simply you want to retire early or just have your later life in India. Be specific. The more honest and detailed your answer, the easier the rest becomes. Second, do a reality check. Many people imagine ideal India and compare it to worst of their current life. But that's not fair or useful. So
8:03 Let's get practical. What does your move back really look like for you and for your family? Which city? what school, what job, what house, what will be the lifestyle change that you're going to accept. Talk to retinees. Watch real stories. Visit the city that you're considering. Test it. Be as realistic as possible. Third, involve your family. This decision doesn't affect just you. Talk to your spouse, with your kids. discuss openly. Are both of you aligned in your long-term goals? Are your kids flexible to adapt to the new school, new language and environment? If your partner is hesitant, don't ignore it. Start with shared values, explore solutions together, or compromise.
9:03 Fourth, run a trial if possible. Before making it permanent, test it. Come for one to three months if possible. Not like as a visitors but more as a residents. Enroll your kids in a summer camp. Co-work from India. Talk to local recruiters. Visit hospitals, banks. Try to understand the day-to-day hustle. You get a good feel what life will really be like. Finally, build your support system. Don't do this alone. Join communities for returnees like they see return WhatsApp group our email list ask real questions get recommendations on schools CAS movers housing etc people who have done this can save you months of research and stress and talk to us and how we can help you in connecting with an experts whether it's on
10:03 Financial planners ers, tax advisors, school consultants, and much more.
10:10 At the end of the day, there is no right or wrong decision. For some, staying abroad makes sense. For others, moving back home brings fulfillment. But what's true for everyone is this. The decision is deeply personal, layered, and deserves thoughtful considerations. If you are in on this journey thinking, planning or just exploring, you're not alone. And that's why we created DIY return to share real stories, honest perspectives, and useful resources for people like you. If this video helped, please hit like, share it with someone who is also contemplating with this decision and subscribe for more real conversations.
11:04 And do let us know in the comments what's the hardest part for you about moving back home. We would love to hear your story. Until next time, take
