r2i forum

We R2Ied at the end of October, to start a new life after Diwali (and Gujarati new year).

I will post about my initial impressions in a day or two, better to jot something down right now before my perspective becomes more Indian.

Flashback: August 2014

New York summer had not been that great this year but still a good escape from the cold. I was sitting in my apartment patio over a weekend thinking:

Did I really buy the tickets? Are we really R2Iing? Why am I doing this? Why do I want to leave behind "everything" I have? Why am I taking such a financial risk by leaving a good paying job to start something completely unknown to me? What if we go through a lot of struggle to settle down? What if we don't like there and end up losing a lot of savings? Why don't we just buy a nice house here and settle down? What's wrong with me?

Sips from the green Heineken bottle were keeping me calm and help come out with good answers for all these questions. Deep down I knew these answers won't keep me content for a long time. At the same time I was thinking why do I have to think about all of this, and why can't I JUST DO IT.

Good Going nepid!!! The only way to answer all the what ifs and but is to DO IT!
I know people will think that it is crazy and why do you have to do it, but when you are thinking of R2I even once while there in US, it means that something is missing.
Many of us R2I looking for that missing something. Its a tough decision but as I have seen from all my aspiring friends in US who want to R2I but are now at the stage when they cannot. All the best, keep posting!

Being a Gujarati, I am very eager to here about your story and experience.

Hi Nepid,
Good thread... keep it up because once you indianise, you probably won't have much time... I have visited r2i forum after very long time and only visited gujju forum... I have little contrary opinion about GGC. Since last 6 month i have been looking to buy a flat to live. I own flat in GGC but thought it is too far to live... I was holding to get possession because if i am going to buy flat somewhere else than no meaning to getting possession...
I have explored all science city area and i didn't like construction quality (90% of those.)... Thaltej seems to have better apartment but again very few has good quality construction and somehow it didn't appeal me much. Those scheme that has good quality, you will not find apartment for sale. I have explored bodakdev area and i like Enigma (1.25cr for 3 bhk) and indraprash 8 (1.60 cr/3bhk). GGC is not a luxury flat but their construction quality is good. They don't advertise as luxury. They do advertise as affordable. It is all RCC... Out side it does not look as finish as other brick unit because RCC unit does not get plaster and so finish is somewhat rough. But with all RCC, chances of water leak, crack is very very less. I have seen newly constructed apartment which cost you lot more with cracking wall. After sale service of other builder is bad except few big names. I haven't moved to GGC but i will be starting interior/furniture work soon. I will see how that turnout. Set your expectation from India as 0 for quality, customer service etc. I haven't encounter any issue with warranty repair from brand name product. Food hygiene is another issue along with clinic and hospitals... everything on paper looks good but nowhere near that... I just want you to be prepared... With all that I am enjoying my move. Living with family. My kids know who is uncle, cousin, grand parents. Not just on paper but by experiencing their warm love... I enjoy spending time with good old friends... And all in all i haven't feel lonely on a single day... More on some other day... Welcome back... You know how to reach me if need any advice/opinion/help...

AhmInDec2013;589161Hi Nepid,
Good thread... keep it up because once you indianise, you probably won't have much time... I have visited r2i forum after very long time and only visited gujju forum... I have little contrary opinion about GGC. Since last 6 month i have been looking to buy a flat to live. I own flat in GGC but thought it is too far to live... I was holding to get possession because if i am going to buy flat somewhere else than no meaning to getting possession...
I have explored all science city area and i didn't like construction quality (90% of those.)... Thaltej seems to have better apartment but again very few has good quality construction and somehow it didn't appeal me much. Those scheme that has good quality, you will not find apartment for sale. I have explored bodakdev area and i like Enigma (1.25cr for 3 bhk) and indraprash 8 (1.60 cr/3bhk). GGC is not a luxury flat but their construction quality is good. They don't advertise as luxury. They do advertise as affordable. It is all RCC... Out side it does not look as finish as other brick unit because RCC unit does not get plaster and so finish is somewhat rough. But with all RCC, chances of water leak, crack is very very less. I have seen newly constructed apartment which cost you lot more with cracking wall. After sale service of other builder is bad except few big names. I haven't moved to GGC but i will be starting interior/furniture work soon. I will see how that turnout. Set your expectation from India as 0 for quality, customer service etc. I haven't encounter any issue with warranty repair from brand name product. Food hygiene is another issue along with clinic and hospitals... everything on paper looks good but nowhere near that... I just want you to be prepared... With all that I am enjoying my move. Living with family. My kids know who is uncle, cousin, grand parents. Not just on paper but by experiencing their warm love... I enjoy spending time with good old friends... And all in all i haven't feel lonely on a single day... More on some other day... Welcome back... You know how to reach me if need any advice/opinion/help...

Thank. Good to hear that you are enjoying your r2i. If you are still looking for a flat you might want to check out Satyamev Vista, Gota on S.G. Highway near Gota Flyover, that's where I am going to move after my furniture work is completed in a few days. It's closer to city than GGC and better quality work than GGC IMO and less price. Even though this flat has good common area development, I think in the long run GGC would turn out to be a better residential community.

All options are open until we start furniture. I haven't explore Gota. I have explored science city area a lot. Initial goal was to buy flat in low rise building + 250 sq.yd in size + some family should have already moved to that community... Now looking at the availability, price and quality, we are open to see anything. I will probably visit that... Thanks for info.

AhmInDec2013;589167All options are open until we start furniture. I haven't explore Gota. I have explored science city area a lot. Initial goal was to buy flat in low rise building + 250 sq.yd in size + some family should have already moved to that community... Now looking at the availability, price and quality, we are open to see anything. I will probably visit that... Thanks for info.

250 sq yd in a 3 bhk now a days come only in "ultra luxury" apartments. SV has 200 sq yd, feel free to contact me if you want to take a look at the flat, furniture etc in SV.

By the way do you know any good pediatrician in the vicinity for vaccinations etc?

I will pm you...

Flashback: October 2014

Shockwave went through the office as people started hearing about my resignation and r2i plan. Almost all desi colleagues started by asking if everything was alright back home. After getting a positive response they started talking about how they had been thinking about it for some time and sought advise on the planning front.

Non desis were surprisingly very supportive as soon as they realized my family was in India. I am sure economic growth stories of India were back in their mind when some of them said I have made a right decision. A Chinese immigrant regretted how she missed the boat for returning to China a few years back. A second generation European talked about his own dilemma about moving to Europe.

A few farewell lunches, dinners and drinks were good breaks from the hectic shopping, packing and cleanup work.

Some of the detailed questions from various people were making me anxious about how I may have some loose ends in my planning. Nevertheless I was ready for the move and got on a flight at the end of October waving a "final" goodbye to a country which had taught me a lot of things and had a big contribution in my life.