Series: Settle in US or India? Life in USA vs. India? Move back?
If you were to ask any Indian or international living in US, this is probably the most thought or discussed question: “Settle in US or go back home?” There are similar thoughts for people in India or any other country too. I lived in India and US for quite some time, so I can share my thoughts on both of them. Some of the common questions everyone encounter are :
- Life in USA vs. Life in India ?
- When should I leave US and go back home ?
- Is it good to settle in US or return home country India ?
I can keep on writing the questions. In fact, one of our readers requested to share my thoughts on this topic..their logic is, if you are an IT person, you can choose to settle wherever you want to either US or India…you just have to make a decision….I think it makes logical sense…
Anyways, I plan to write a series of articles corresponding to this question. My goal behind the series is to give my perspective and let you make an educated and logical decision… All the below list of topics will be written comparing America vs. India.
Topics Comparing USA vs. India
- Work Culture, Ethics, Time – India vs. America
- Work related Politics – Manager, Salary Hike, Promotions?
- Life as H1B holder vs. GC or Citizen
- Educated H4 visa holder Life After working in India
- American Way of Thought vs. Indian Way of thought
- Personal Life, Comfort, Enjoyment
- Indian wife, American Wife, Indian Origin but US raised Wife ?
- Social Life – Meeting New people from different countries, cultures ?
- Weekends Fun America vs. India
- Owning a Home – Flexibility, Features, Cost
- Saving potential, Taxes in the U.S. and India
- Living as Family with Kids – Healthcare, Expenses
- Cost of Living – Power of Dollar vs. Rupee Value
- Family, Friends, Parents, Social Status , Respect
- Kids Education, Discipline USA vs. India
- Coaching Kids – Soccer, Football, Volleyball, Music
- Kids & Teens Athletics – Track vs. Just Cricket
- Studying Bachelors Education, Student Life
- Graduate School Education MS or MBA
- Public Facilities – Library, Community Centers, Parks
- Corruption Visibility, Impact to Common Man
- Public City stuff – Water, Electricity, Heat, Services Support.
- Transportation – Buses, Trains, Flights,
- Cars, Motor Bike, Boat – Owning and Lifestyle
- Night Life, Dancing
- Medical Care, Emergency, Surgery
- Nursing Homes – Life as an Old Person
- Helping People, Scope – Charity
- Starting a Creative Business, Success
- Things to do – Exploring, Hiking, Skydiving, Canoeing, Rafting
- State Parks, National parks, Tourism , Vacations spots, Beaches
- Time for Personal Hobbies
- Adaptability in India for Expats who lived in US
- Productive years of Employment, Retirement, Benefits
- Marriage - Looking for People, Matrimony Sites, Dating ?
As of now, these are the topics that I can think of…I will keep adding topics as I get to my mind….I plan to write from one of these topics every alternate day (not necessarily in sequence) in addition to regular articles that I write ….
If you are looking for a specific topic that’s not in the above list and you want that to be part of the series, you can leave a comment and I will add it to the list.
Stay tuned folks!
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Related posts:
- Whats life all about ? Why are we so worried and competitive ? Take a step back !
- Life as H1B holder vs. GC or Citizen – USA vs. India
- Personal Life, Comfort, Enjoyment in America Vs. India
- Social Life – Meeting New people diff cultures, races in America vs. India
- H1B visa holders sent back at Port of Entry. AVOID travel to India / Home country. What can you do to make your Case stronger at port of entry ?
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
How about old age (handicapped) in India or US?
Hi,I have tried staying in India for 1 year with my family in Hyderabad.This when we have to foreclose the house in Bayarea.We are all US Citizens. But for some reason it had been very tough for my husband to get a job.Still he cannot find it.I am a teacher where i used to get some reasonably money In US,But when i tried in Indian it was not even minimum basic salary.They dont want to give good salaries.For IT people for get about Hyderbad,there are no jobs over there.All they want is freshers and people with 90% marks etc.Its so discouraging there.We want to go and settle in our country and no companies are encouraging to give jobs for us.My husband has 12 years of US experience in It,still it is so difficult there.
If people had earned enough money and Property to survive without job in India ,for them it is fine.But for us neither of it we have.Even for kids it was so hard for them adjust in schools as we did not had much money to put them in those Posh International Schools,they have to go normal schools. Imagine children who are above 10 years do everything there like going to shops,crossing roads,and independent in everything.But for my children who stayed in US for 10 years was so hard becuase they depend on us so much for basic things like crossing road,getting even samll things from shops.They are not that strong to adopt the indian system. If any want to settle in India back please make sure you have plenty of money where you can have driver,car,maids etc.Becuase even if you want to do anything independtly like In US,Sorry we cant imagine how difficult it is there.
Humm really difficult decision but feels good that we have choice to settle where ever we want….i would say take exposure of life staying in US for 4-5 years(depending on your situation…age when you entered US) and then can go back to india with a heavy pocket and have fun in life down there………….
You articles are good. I have read most of these articles.
But I have to disagree on your thoughts being neutral and wanted the people to decide on whether to stay in US or India. To me, these articles are more inclined towards (recommended) living in US. They aren’t neutral, it’s just my opinion.
It lacks options/suggestions on those things that can be explored in India (+ve).
I am in US for more than 5 years now. I am on H1 and looking to go back to India. As you can expect, I am an IT guy with the same dilemma as other people, US or India. My thoughts toggle between these two options many times…
As you said, there are lot of things to be considered before making this decision.
Inflation, money power, prices are all true about India… but you could have included some positive values from India, like our culture, our tourism, entertainment, people bonding etc. How many Indian States have we covered on tourism when compared to the tourism we did in India?
I think I am missing something when i stay in this country.
Agreed that US has their own culture, if we can adapt and accept, we can appreciate it.
What I have decided? still unknown
I am totally agree with you.
This articles at many places looks bias towards living in US.
When we do a comparison, it should be neutral basis. Regarding tourism, the blogger hardly talks about tourism places in india.
I am 31 yrs. of age, my graduation is B’Com, LL.B.
If I want to come to USA for a job, is MS compulsary.
‘N how & where can I apply.
As you have done LLB, I assume you are in law profession. I am not sure if long term employment opportunities are available for that profession on work visas like H-1. You will have to research on that first.
Thank you so much for all the information. You did something that is going to be a treasure mine for all students / job seekers coming to US. Have been here for some time now. Wish I had access to this site before I came here, but it’s still a much appreciated website for me. Thanks and regards,
Anirban
Child with physical therapy needs, stay at home mom who wants to live in US for the child and husband who’s the only child to his parents and wants to go back to India ! Just don’t know how to convince my husband. If I ask him to settle in US, he’ll be sad. If I go to India I’ll be sad. But since he’s the only one working what should I do?
What about of u want to bring a brother or sister over from India…?
Similar process as calling parents on visitor visa. However, they need to show that they have ties with India and will return back to India at the end of the visit. This can be shown by
- letter from their employer showing their employment and grant of leave (if they are salaried)
- business details etc (if they are self-employed)
What about an Indian husband, American husband, Indian Origin but US raised husband?
Chitra, I will try to write my opinion on this…Good Point
A great thought provoking article! looking forward to more suggestions
Hi Kumar,
That was a great thought,i am sure there are lots of people will be waiting to read this article..
I more topic should be Life on H4 Visa for a well educated prevously working person..
Regards,
Seena.
Seena, It is tough life for H4 visa holders, something very important to consider…I have added it !
@kumar
greetings, a super topic, for which no one can choose the answer, it all depends upon ones perspective of life, i am waiting to read your opinion,
good of you
yours joyfully
easwaran
Yes, All we can do is just take an educated decision !
Most of the questions are very relevant before one decides to re-locate to India. A few more topics that I, a senior citizen living long in SE Asia, can think of : Saving potential (net of tax) in the U.S. and India – also related to cost of living and how far we can stretch our dollar or the rupee, one’s re-adaptability in India (critical for long-serving expats) in case one opts to return, the age factor and how many more years left for productive employment and pension benefits, marriageability (?) for young unmarried persons. The last item is important these days when it is becoming too difficult to get suitable alliance for marriage.
Very good decision making topics , I have added all the topics !
American wife, Indian wife, US born Indian origin wife?
Sibi, Added to list