My R2I (Hyderabad) diary - Rupali
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 12:03 pm
Can't start without thanking this forum and members like RRK & Desi, the knowledge/experience/support we have received is unbelievable and I would definitely credit 20% of our net-worth to this forum (I read indexing but forum gave the final push to start on Vanguard. More or less RRK's sample portfolio and we have 12-15% for last 5 years).
Profile:
Husband Wife (35, 35) + 2 kids (7 & 4)
Single IT Job (Wife quit after second child) in US & India
We are GC holder , Kids are US citizen
Financially comfortable (Kids education is funded, House funded, working on retirement)
US Stay : 10 years
Returned to : Hyderabad
Return Experience :Extremely Satisfying
R2A possibility : less than 5%
Basic reason for our return was not tied to family, social life or any particular financial target. Kids was one of the factors but we just felt more Indian at heart, feel more at home in India. Took transfer from same comparny, move package was great , one less thing to worry about. Since move was paid we got most of the stuff to India. A few things I can point out -
* Start decluttering as far in advance as possible.
* Carefully look at any particular brands, items, books, music you want to buy fresh and get to India. We got lots of books, toileteries, Ziplocks, Correlle, Stocked up on UGs, Basic Jeans/Ts etc. .
* You do get most of the stuff in India, It may be more expensive than USA. You cannot continue to get it from US for long term but haveing supply for 6-12 months helped us with transition.
* Electronics is not really worth it.
After coming here we had company provided flat for 2 months, party time. They supported us with lots of things like Getting PAN, Driving classes, House search, language classes (As a non-telugu, I learnt a bit of Telugu) , Gas connection etc.
* Plan for kids school, we got help from Company but if timing is not right (Dec-Jan) it may be hard to get admission. Second language could be tricky if children are not comfortable. Cultural Adjustment / Bullying might be an issue for children. Give them plenty of time/ attention.
* International schools are easier but more expensive, normal schools may be too tough for kids. We took 2-3 month trips for last 2 years and sent kids to some small school so they were not totally put in an alien environment. Specially taught Hindi. We got admission in DPS Hyderabad. Have been extremely satisfied. It has focus on studies and extra-caricular. Good facilities but not AC. Costs us close to 1L for 2 kids for an year (includes transport/food/books/uniform etc. ) International schools are almost double.
* If you are not able to get subsidised gas connection (HP/Indane etc. ) could get private like Super Gas (Costs double) but get it immediately.
* We are currently staying in a rented house. It is in a closed community. Love the security/convenience/environment. For 30K it is not too expensive compared to 3-4 bedroom flat. If your budget allows at least consider Closed Community inndependent Villas, may be costlier than Flats but in big picture still a bargain.
* We have a car & 2-wheeler which works well in crowded areas. I would strongly recommend getting comfortable with driving, drivers can be very unreliable and cost 3.5 to 5K. Maids are unreliable as well cost 2-4K for stay at home whole day. I have seen people spending > 10K on household help.
* Cost of living overall is mixed , some stuff is incredibly cheap like vegetables, basic food items, services etc.. Some things can be very expensive - If you go for a movies + Restaurant outing could easily spend 2K. Could have a meal in Kamath for 150-200 or go to Taj and spend 2-3K for family meal. Its upto your choices & resources. Fancier stuff like pacakaged fruit juice, cereals, cheeses, imported toileteries, shaving foam, brand name cloths etc. could be same cost as US or more.
* Beware of people from ICICI, Reliance Money, HSBC Premier, Bajaja Allianz or any such big org selling ULIP or any other financial products (NFOs, Endowment/cashback policies or any specialized Real Estate funds). Indian Financial Industry could be very tricky. Do not sign anything, invest anywhere without thorough research. You get invited to 5* hotels/ get gifts etc. in name of Wealth Management. High chance you are getting taken for a ride. Do ask for Rate of return and expenses for product offered. Ask them if returns are guaranteed or just example. Do as Link to website or brochure for what they are offering.
* Do expect untimeliness, lack of professionalism. Keep buffer in your plans and be ready to follow-up N times. Don't assume that if somebody said something it will be done.
We have been extremely satisfied so far. I will continue writing on different aspects of return. Feel free to ask questions I'll be glad to help as much as I can.
Regards,
Rupali
Profile:
Husband Wife (35, 35) + 2 kids (7 & 4)
Single IT Job (Wife quit after second child) in US & India
We are GC holder , Kids are US citizen
Financially comfortable (Kids education is funded, House funded, working on retirement)
US Stay : 10 years
Returned to : Hyderabad
Return Experience :Extremely Satisfying
R2A possibility : less than 5%
Basic reason for our return was not tied to family, social life or any particular financial target. Kids was one of the factors but we just felt more Indian at heart, feel more at home in India. Took transfer from same comparny, move package was great , one less thing to worry about. Since move was paid we got most of the stuff to India. A few things I can point out -
* Start decluttering as far in advance as possible.
* Carefully look at any particular brands, items, books, music you want to buy fresh and get to India. We got lots of books, toileteries, Ziplocks, Correlle, Stocked up on UGs, Basic Jeans/Ts etc. .
* You do get most of the stuff in India, It may be more expensive than USA. You cannot continue to get it from US for long term but haveing supply for 6-12 months helped us with transition.
* Electronics is not really worth it.
After coming here we had company provided flat for 2 months, party time. They supported us with lots of things like Getting PAN, Driving classes, House search, language classes (As a non-telugu, I learnt a bit of Telugu) , Gas connection etc.
* Plan for kids school, we got help from Company but if timing is not right (Dec-Jan) it may be hard to get admission. Second language could be tricky if children are not comfortable. Cultural Adjustment / Bullying might be an issue for children. Give them plenty of time/ attention.
* International schools are easier but more expensive, normal schools may be too tough for kids. We took 2-3 month trips for last 2 years and sent kids to some small school so they were not totally put in an alien environment. Specially taught Hindi. We got admission in DPS Hyderabad. Have been extremely satisfied. It has focus on studies and extra-caricular. Good facilities but not AC. Costs us close to 1L for 2 kids for an year (includes transport/food/books/uniform etc. ) International schools are almost double.
* If you are not able to get subsidised gas connection (HP/Indane etc. ) could get private like Super Gas (Costs double) but get it immediately.
* We are currently staying in a rented house. It is in a closed community. Love the security/convenience/environment. For 30K it is not too expensive compared to 3-4 bedroom flat. If your budget allows at least consider Closed Community inndependent Villas, may be costlier than Flats but in big picture still a bargain.
* We have a car & 2-wheeler which works well in crowded areas. I would strongly recommend getting comfortable with driving, drivers can be very unreliable and cost 3.5 to 5K. Maids are unreliable as well cost 2-4K for stay at home whole day. I have seen people spending > 10K on household help.
* Cost of living overall is mixed , some stuff is incredibly cheap like vegetables, basic food items, services etc.. Some things can be very expensive - If you go for a movies + Restaurant outing could easily spend 2K. Could have a meal in Kamath for 150-200 or go to Taj and spend 2-3K for family meal. Its upto your choices & resources. Fancier stuff like pacakaged fruit juice, cereals, cheeses, imported toileteries, shaving foam, brand name cloths etc. could be same cost as US or more.
* Beware of people from ICICI, Reliance Money, HSBC Premier, Bajaja Allianz or any such big org selling ULIP or any other financial products (NFOs, Endowment/cashback policies or any specialized Real Estate funds). Indian Financial Industry could be very tricky. Do not sign anything, invest anywhere without thorough research. You get invited to 5* hotels/ get gifts etc. in name of Wealth Management. High chance you are getting taken for a ride. Do ask for Rate of return and expenses for product offered. Ask them if returns are guaranteed or just example. Do as Link to website or brochure for what they are offering.
* Do expect untimeliness, lack of professionalism. Keep buffer in your plans and be ready to follow-up N times. Don't assume that if somebody said something it will be done.
We have been extremely satisfied so far. I will continue writing on different aspects of return. Feel free to ask questions I'll be glad to help as much as I can.
Regards,
Rupali