r/returnToIndia

Hey everyone,

We’re originally from Hyderabad and moved to Sydney in 2016 when I was in grade 6. I’m an Australian citizen with OCI, and while my family absolutely loves it here, I’ve always felt out of place. My family has built a life with many family friends, but for me, it’s been a constant struggle. I still remember begging my dad to stay back in India when we were about to leave in grade 5, and now, 11 years later, I still wish we hadn’t moved.

Don’t get me wrong, my family is very happy here. My sister, who was raised here since kindergarten, has adapted well. My parents are comfortable too, they work with people from their communities, and they genuinely love Australia. But for me, it’s never felt like home.

The biggest reason I feel disconnected from Australia is the years of bullying and racism I’ve experienced. For almost 9 years, I was heavily bullied, and assimilation has been a constant battle. My sister doesn’t face the same challenges, but for me, it’s been emotionally draining. I’ve always felt like an outsider in a place that should have felt like home.

I can’t help but feel jealous when I see reels of Hyderabad, the culture, the festivals, and the simple life my schoolmates are living with friends and in their local neighborhoods. That life, the one where you’re truly connected to your roots and surrounded by people who get you, that’s my dream. I have a friend whose family moved back to India, and they’re so happy. Seeing that makes me feel both jealous and sad, and I’m sorry for feeling that way, but it’s just how I feel. The longer I stay here, the more I feel like my time is being wasted.

Most people I know who want to return to India do so because they miss their families. But for me, it’s the opposite. I miss the culture, the warmth, and the feeling of truly belonging. Foreign is just not for me. I’m a bubbly person, I love culture, and I feel incredibly close and safe in my motherland.

We already have a 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom house in Hyderabad, and the house is under my name, so I’m all set on that front. I’ve also just graduated with an IT degree in Cyber Security, so career-wise, I’m confident I can find my place in India too. But my long-term goal has always been to return to Hyderabad, hopefully by 2036, and if I can make it sooner, even better. My only purpose for staying here is to buy a house, clear my loan, and then move back. My parents are fine with me moving back as long as I am financially stable.

I know I’ll probably be judged for my “foolish plan” and my age (I’m 21), but I can’t live with the fear of missing out. I can’t keep wondering what it would be like to give it a shot in Hyderabad. I’ve never liked living in foreign lands, even as a kid back in India. The thought of staying here longer just doesn’t feel right to me.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation? I’m looking for others who’ve felt like they just don’t belong where they are living, even if their family is settled and happy. How did you navigate the pressure to stay or leave, especially with family dynamics at play?

Thanks for reading and sharing any thoughts!

#NRILife #Australia #India #Homesick #FamilyConflict #ExpatLife #CulturalIdentity #Hyderabad #LifeChoices #FOMO #ReturningHome #LongTermGoals #Racism #Bullying #StrugglingWithAssimilation #OCI

Hi Everyone!

Need some help and suggestions for one of my friends, so he has completed his masters in Business Analytics and Information Systems, and has 2 years work experience in India, he has been trying for a job as data analyst or BIE and even data engineer in US, but didnt find luck, he has not much time left for job pursuit in US, Hows the job market in analytics as DA, DE and BIE role in india, hyd

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

As the title indicates, my spouse and I are planning to return to India for retirement after spending all our adult lives in the US. Will go back and forth but will be primarily based in India.

We don't have Aadhar card, but do have PAN cards. However, experiencing the problems without aadhar card, what is the best way to go about doing things. For example, to get a local SIM for phone, I need Aadhar card. I presume setting up electricity etc. would also require aadhar card. We should be able to get the card after 182 days - however, how does one manage in the interim? Any suggestions based on personal experiences would be much appreciated.

I was today years old when I found out US can take ~40% estate tax after you die… like bro you already taxed me ~30% while I was alive 😭

And the crazy part? Most NRIs don’t even think about this stuff.

If you’re in the US and not a citizen, there’s like a ~$60k exemption on US assets, and beyond that estate tax can hit pretty hard. So between income tax + estate tax, a big chunk can just disappear if you don’t plan it right.

I’ve been trying to understand all this (along with NRE/NRO, 401k, moving money back, etc.) and honestly it’s a mess to piece together from random blogs.

This site actually helped simplify a lot of it:
http://www.movetoindia.net/

It kind of breaks things down in a more practical way instead of generic advice.

Still early, but sharing in case anyone else is trying to figure this stuff out and getting confused like me.