An Indian tech professional's dilemma over whether to return to India or continue living in the US has sparked discussion about the trade-offs between career growth, financial security and family well-being.
Indian Tech Professional Considers Returning To India
As shared on Reddit, a 34-year-old Indian tech professional who has lived in the US for 10 years is seriously considering returning to India. He moved to the country for his master's degree and has since built his career in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The man is married and has a two-year-old child. He said the demands of his tech job and childcare responsibilities have made the past two years particularly stressful for the family. His wife, who works while on H-4 status, has also been dealing with postpartum depression. According to his post, work has been one way for her to stay occupied and manage her stress.
Expedite my return?
by u/mirage_in_the_dark in returnToIndia
To ease the pressure at home, he has taken on more household chores and childcare responsibilities. The family has also received help from their parents for short periods and currently relies on a nanny to look after their child during working hours.
Family Support Vs Career And Financial Goals
The professional said childcare and living expenses in the US have left the family with limited savings at the end of a stressful month. His wife earns a relatively low salary but wants to continue working and build her own savings.
He is considering returning to India sooner than planned to access family support, and his employer may offer an internal transfer. However, his wife is concerned about finding a suitable job in India. She would prefer to stay in the US for at least three more years to build their wealth or explore the possibility of an internal transfer.
$1.31 Million In Listed Assets: Here's The Breakdown
The tech professional listed $1.31 million in assets across five categories: $300,000 in a 401(k), $400,000 in brokerage accounts, $300,000 in a high-yield savings account, $300,000 in restricted stock units (RSUs) and $10,000 in a health savings account (HSA).
Despite accumulating these assets, he said the family is not saving as much as he had expected because of childcare and living expenses. The figures represent the assets listed in his post; the information shared does not establish his net worth after accounting for any liabilities.
Marriage And Future Return Plans
The Reddit user is also concerned about the potential impact of returning to India on his marriage. He worries that his wife could face judgement from immediate family members over parenting choices and the division of household responsibilities, adding to the stress she is already experiencing.
The couple had originally planned to return to India after five years but is now reconsidering the timeline. The man is also concerned that, after another year or so, his wife might strongly prefer staying in the US over returning to India.
Since visa issues are not forcing them to leave, the couple has some flexibility over when to move. He asked people who had faced similar circumstances whether they should return sooner for family support or remain in the US for a few more years to build their wealth before relocating.
What Did Social Media Say?
Some Reddit users encouraged the couple to weigh the time they could spend with their child against the financial and professional benefits of remaining in the US.
One user, who said they had returned to India after becoming a father, suggested comparing what a good year in India might look like with another year in the US.
“Basically, you'll worry whether you are in US or India. Pick the one with less worries,” another user commented.
“Do the best for ‘your' family. Don't think about others,” a third user wrote, adding that the professional could consider taking a break in India, using his savings and looking for another job if necessary.
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