r2i forum

OK, I searched and google shows only one use each of the phrases "semi-retire to india" and "semi r2i" - both in two different threads in this forum, by the way.

The "R" here is implied both in the sense of "return" and "retire"

What I am thinking is the following:
Work in the US (I will assume a US perspective, no reason why it cannot apply for other places such as UK or Canada, for example) for six months a year, and "no work" (aka similar to retired) in India for six months.

This may be possible, for instance, if you are in certain types of jobs that do not require physical presence in the US at all times.

Examples could be high-demand professions, or a highly valued individual in an organization, so that the US organization is willing to have you work on site for only six months.

Academics can certainly do this - teach only in Spring or fall, for example. High-demand pharmacists or physicians can do this, particularly in some areas such as Florida which experience a seasonal migration (or, perhaps even the originating place of such snowbirds) - you can go on an on-off schedule of 3 months, for example.

The wife and kids could be in India, kids attending school in India.
If you arrange your schedule, you can also have your family over here during the kids' summer and winter breaks (certainly the summer, possibly the winter break if kids are in the not-so-high grades) - so you can have 8 or 9 months together as a family.

This sort of lets you explore if indeed you can retire in (or return to) India. Sort of having your cake and eating it too - and pilot test if you can do a full fledge R2I later, and helps you keep the options open.

Thanks to what I learned from Bobus, this also means you can indefinitely be a non-resident, thus avoiding the higher taxes of India (but a rough calculation tells me that you are talking about a third or so more in taxes even if you become a resident).

Qns:
Any cases that you know of like this, any anecdotal evidence?
(I know of two cases - my first professor in the US, who after many years like this went back to India and is now a rather well-known administrator in India; and a pharmacist, who brought his family here once his son became of college age - the son attends college here, while the daughter started high school. But I have not spoken with either one, and have no idea of their experiences other than knowing that this happened).

What makes it work, what are the pitfalls?

My assumption is that this is quite rare.
But why? Is it lack of opportunities - or a hesitation to go on something akin to a "mommy track"?

Why don't more people, particularly those who are quite valuable to their firms and thus have the leverage, explore this option?

I can see many benefits. But what are the problems?

The biggest problem, in my opinion, is staying away from family for long intervals of time.

For most people, the biggest reason to r2i is to be with parents and to give the kids the opportunity to grow up with grand parents etc, etc.. For folks like that, this plan defeats the purpose of r2i.

Did you compare the travel charges to GOI taxes?

I agree with Kovai...
One can make plans as long as you want but will those be practical?
Additionally.

You are stuck in project for more than 6 months/Out of work for the six months U want to work. These two scenarios could turn the plans upside down.
Results will be more stress, loneliness...and who knows with divorce rate going high in India, you may find yourself with nothing....:emwink:
Even academees may find this difficult. An interesting reasearch could make you not visit for several six months in a row.
This is my personal opinion of having no merits to this approach.
You would be like a trishanku......or would be standing in two boats with one leg in each and at some point of time if any boat running in oppsite direction..........

Vijay Mallya for one does this. his wife and kids are in the bay area, son in london and he jets all around the world. This kind of r2i is possible only for the very wealthy or specific occupations like you mentioned. But it raises the question - why go through all of this pain? If you are making serious cash then maybe. In fact I thought if I could even make it to India for 3 months every summer that too would be good enough. But such things have a knack of not seeming to work.

It is too disruptive. Is not practical for the average Joe or Ramu :)

People at the top of their businesses are globe trotting anyway on work.


Cheers

Nattusbs

These things will look good on paper but will not work except if one calls the shots. Meaning if you have everything under your control then it will work(having a steady income from your business or investments etc). Thinking about R2I in itself is a big burden during the years one stays abroad. Why do you want to extend that to physical strain. I am 100% with LLLLwhenr2i, where there might be sometime in the future where you will end up thinking, "all this for nothing". There is no way one can regain lost time so decide on one and enjoy 100%.

OP, I'll take a shot and give you my 2 cents.

Fundamental question will be - what and where is your home? A home is not just brick and mortar. There are people who are neighbors, relatives, school teachers, parents of children's friends and so on. All these make your home. You have to choose and say this is my home even if you stay there for 1 month in a year.

If you spend 6 months in one place and 6 months in another you'll always be thinking of the second half when you are in the first half. This may not give you mental peace.

In general, many of us have followed others when coming to USA for the first time or when we r2i for that matter. We follow trendsetters who have done cool things. If you are a trendsetter then there is always an associated risk of failing. Its like you are the first customer of a product which may or may not be good.

Many earn good money to easily live my life like the way you said...6 months here and 6 months there which I may still do. However when I R2I I'll have one base. Many people have done this. Only thing is they didn't plan to do this. Their job made them do this involuntarily. Especially all govt. employees stationed abroad in defense etc. do this quite often. Within India itself, I know so many people whose family is in chennai, bangalore but one of the spouses work in bhopal, delhi etc.

So, I think R2I is one thing and what you do after is another thing.