r2i forum

Hello,

About us, very well settled life. Started from 0 and fairly comfortable now - not rich - but comfortable. All conveniences we could ever imagine are at our service. Just not the help/maid :rolleyes:
We live in a tier 2 city in Australia (it could really be replaced with any small city in USA) and have it really good here. Both of us work from 7 to 4 and rest of the time with kids and other things.
We are going to be citizens soon. We want to be citizens as our kids 3 and 1 are both citizens and we have some property here. Don't have a lot in savings though.


The dilemma is, whether to return to India and be at the parents side in their dusk years. Or stay in Australia.

Parents are getting old and I cannot live the rest of my life with the guilt that I wasn't there for them in their hay years.
The missus does not seem to have an opinion either or. But she thinks it will be better for the kids to be brought in Australia with regular vacation trips to India.
This also means, we wont be able to go on a vacation to another country - which has been on my agenda for over 15 years now.
The parents dont have an opinion either. Say we shouldn't take life decisions with them in the picture.
Cannot get parents over as dad is a chain smoker and I can't afford his habit here as the cost of smokes is through the roof. Mum wont come without dad
The current dilemma is what to do. Finding jobs in India and lifestyle etc is a later dilemma.

We will have to move regardless. As recently MIL passed away and due to lesser connectivity to India from this small town, we had a tough time flying back. So there is a move definitely on the cards. To where, I dont know yet

Looking at the other threads, I kind of thank God I am not alone. Which means I am so hoping that someone more sensible than me can show me a view point and provide some guidance ?
I am assuming you will understand that there will be challenges with R2I when the kids grow up. R2I we will have to as I am the only son and the sisters can't look after mum and dad forever.
Only FIL from the other side and he is well taken care of.



Free medicare and education are very important factors - but at what cost, I dont know yet. Every single time my vacation ends in India I am very thankful to not be living their. Due to basic infrastructural issues.
From the kids pov, it is my experience and belief that a child will make or break his/her own future. Country or environment has very little factor - however this is only true for males, imo.
In my mind India is going to be a very dodgy place for raising a girl.


It isn't an urgent need to R2I now. But may become in a couple of years. Would it make sense to R2I for a few years and then come back ?I don't know yet what will make us R2A. I pray my parents outlive me but I don't want to be in a position where all of the family (wife and kids) wants to R2A but I don't. I can stay back I suppose.


Cheers,

Not clear whether you are in dilemma or you will have to move regardless. You said both the things. Also it is a little peculiar situation where you cannot bring your parents with you because of expensive cigarettes. How about making that as excuse to kick a bad habit for good?

Also, I think it will be sometime before 3 years old will be missing cozy australian life to want to move back , and even longer for 1 year old. So you shouldnt be worrying about that. But you will have to take into account wifey's opinion. She didnt seem very fixated on Austiralia or India, until the very next sentence.

The answer is in your question

[QUOTE]Free medicare and education are very important factors - but at what cost, I dont know yet. Every single time my vacation ends in India I am very thankful to not be living their. Due to basic infrastructural issues.

This is not going to change .. Many wannabe R2Is are sad leaving India after a vacation , you are happy . Nothing wrong with that. Just a reflection of what makes you happy, what bothers you .

[QUOTE]Cannot get parents over as dad is a chain smoker and I can't afford his habit here as the cost of smokes is through the roof. Mum wont come without dad

Bigger issue is not the cost of cigarettes. It is the cost of health care. As a chain smoker,he is at increased risk of heart and lung diseases /cancers .Unless Australian Govt will provide health care for dependents of citizens, their health care costs are the bigger issue

Stay put would be my 2 cents . I do not know the opportunity cost in terms of quality of jobs while moving with in Australia to a bigger city . Ease of airline travel for once an year trip might come with lot of trade offs.

Many a time , subconsciously we already know the answer to the question we are asking. Though not on purpose, we are not truly looking for answers but for validation of our answer.

happybuddha;677441The missus does not seem to have an opinion either or. But she thinks it will be better for the kids to be brought in Australia with regular vacation trips to India. [/quote]Credit to plansup's keen eye. Answer is in the question itself. The missus does not seem to have an opinion but does have an opinion. The opinion is live in Australia. Do that. [quote]In my mind India is going to be a very dodgy place for raising a girl. [/quote]With the #MeToo thing and so many women coming out and sharing their experiences, the India unsafe/not good for girls notion needs revisiting and an objective examination. [quote]It isn't an urgent need to R2I now. But may become in a couple of years. Would it make sense to R2I for a few years and then come back ?I don't know yet what will make us R2A.

When something is not an urgent need, to make it happen calls for tremendous discipline. When we fly to India from Sydney, I tell the kid to use the bathroom in the airport even if not urgent need. Mostly does not. Bad boy.