r2isomeday\'s R2I (Ahmedabad) Diary

[r2isomeday]

Before I talk about anything else, I have to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate TAT as well as every member of this forum that takes the time and effort to participate and share ? THIS FORUM ROCKS !!! :thup:

I have been a member and an avid reader of this forum for over 3 years; silently gathering the immense amount of knowledge and wisdom that this forum offers. Having said that; it would be very selfish if I don't share whatever little information I can about my r2i journey (just getting started). The other reason that I was very keen on sharing some information is because this might be the 1st R2I to Ahmedabad diary and am hoping that I will be able to contribute regularly for the benefit of other future R2Iers to Ahmedabad.

Have been out of Ahmedabad for about 11 years now ? there has been a tremendous amount of development since then. Looking to explore/learn over the next few months and share as much as I can?

Background:

Wife and I have been here since 1999 ? wow, it has been a good 11 years since we touched down on this land of opportunity. Went to school; did some odd jobs to help us get through paying the monthly expenses. Both of us started looking for a job in early 2002; market was not helping due to the 9/11 tragedy - took us a few months to find our 1st job. Landed a job at the #1 IT company of the world and wife found a job at a leading marketing and media company?..we were ecstatic, even though were not going to make much.

I have been working for about 8 years now ? operations, project delivery, project/program management earlier in an IT company, now in the financial services industry ?..it?s been an excellent and satisfying journey so far !!

Family:
Two wonderful boys 5 ½ and 2 ½, older one is currently in KG.
Wife and I are on H1B ? not interested in GC. Both kids are USC ? getting OCI before leaving.

House/Property:
Bought a house in 2006 ? at the peak of the housing market; put the house on the market last year for the same price that we bought it for ? had a good deal of showings and open houses; could not convert to an offer ? a comp on our street was listed for 30K less than our list price, that really hurt us.

Re-listed the house again in January this year ? dropped the price based on recent comp sales ? had an offer in 1 week; negotiated and accepted ? closed in March. Phew !! 1 thing checked off the list !!! Yay - now we could start planning our journey back.

Bought a piece of land in Ahmedabad last year - has appreciated considerably in 1 year - thinking about building a house after we R2I - no rush, plan is to rent for a couple of years until we are completely settled.

Reason to R2I:

Both wife and I always knew that our stay in US was going to be temporary and we wanted to go back ?
- Cannot consider this to be ?home? ? miss the sense of belongingness.
- Want grand parents to enjoy the joys of our kids growing up ? spend time with them.
- Want to be able to be there for parents, especially in times of need.
- Miss the Indian culture - festivals, weddings, celebrations; being part of the family...
- lots more...

Had no specific financial goals, which I think really helped ? wanted to go back with more than we came here with. Landed in this country with liabilities; paid off loans to get through school??doing much better than that today both financially and otherwise - education, personal and professional experiences. Tried to stay away from the X+1 syndrome ? wanted to enjoy life while we were here and not miss out on any luxuries that we could afford. Both wife and I tried to do that to the best of our abilities....absolutely cherish every experience that we had in this country.

R2I Timeline

Ideally wanted to return before older son started 1st grade - could not firm up plans since house had not sold.
Currently planning on wife and kids leaving in August/September 2010?.I will be joining them after about 6-8 months.

More to follow?.

[back2desh]

Excellent quick summary r2isomeday! Glad that you have planned and made the decision to R2I. All the best and I am sure your R2I experience will be successful.

[rreword]

As you said you are in IT/financial firm. Are you going to reside in Ahmedabad after R2I? I'm in same boat (from Ahmedabad) R2I in Jun-2010 but going to Pune as not able to find any good IT company in Ahmedabad area.

[rajbulland]

r2isomeday,
Good Luck on your move. Wish you all the best in settling down in your country and "home".

[gujju]

r2isomeday,

Bhale Padharo,

Hope everything works out for you!!!

[r2isomeday]

As you said you are in IT/financial firm. Are you going to reside in Ahmedabad after R2I? I'm in same boat (from Ahmedabad) R2I in Jun-2010 but going to Pune as not able to find any good IT company in Ahmedabad area.

Yes, will be residing in Ahmedabad - any other city kind of defeats the purpose of R2I'ing for us; both our families are in Ahmedabad. You are right; there are barely any IT companies in Ahmedabad - however, hoping to find a project/program management role in other non-IT industry in the Ahmedabad / Gandhinagar area.

[r2isomeday]

rajbulland and gujju - Thanks for your good wishes.

[Lakshya]

Yes, will be residing in Ahmedabad - any other city kind of defeats the purpose of R2I'ing for us;

True Amdavadi!!:thup:

BTW our city has changed a lot.. which area ayou grew up in Ad?

[rich]

Yes, will be residing in Ahmedabad - any other city kind of defeats the purpose .

Good man....good luck....Sabar-Cola(i.e. Sabarmati's water!!!) is waiting for you.....
I used to tease my cousins from A'bad that you guys are pakka Amdavadi after driniking Sabar Cloa :)

[VA_INDIAN]

Good luck with your move. Just curious what is making you stay back for 6-8 long months after family returns? is it selling home?

Also I am confused , you said you and your wife are on H1 , so you do not have USC, how is that your kids can get OCI?

R2I Timeline

Ideally wanted to return before older son started 1st grade - could not firm up plans since house had not sold.
Currently planning on wife and kids leaving in August/September 2010….I will be joining them after about 6-8 months.

More to follow….