R2Ied from bay area to bangalore

[pachik]

Yessss!!!We made it to India..:)

After staying for 6 years in USA, the thoughts of moving back started lingering in the mind. We(husband and i) are the usual immigrant types..MS+IT jobs. Reasons for moving back include parents, bored in usa, thinking about having kids in india, felt that savings will be almost same in india n usa, booming india, irritating n ever changing visa rules,etc

Husband mentioned in his perf review in jan this year that he wants to move back to india sometime down the lane. Didn't realize that it will work out in our favor so soon ...:) Company offered a good option in march that they plan to start a team for their module in the existing bangalore office around september and said that there may be another option next year. Our joy had no bounds. Our actual plan to move sometime in 2012. So, the usual branstorming started instantly. This R2I forum gave us a good starting point and made us realise that we were not the first ones and there are lots of ppl like us. It was such an exciting time. Everything we talked revolved around r2i. After discussing about relocation package n salary for bangalore office, we felt that it was a good package(not excellent though). But the company was willing to provide business visa to move this year and do relocation later.

Thats it. We decided to move to india this year and accepted the offer. It was the biggest decision ever. Our hearts were filled with joy as well as fear. Started telling parents that we plan to move back sometime soon. I am from hyderabad, a place where kids are religiously told that america is future destination..:) had lots of q&a sessions with parents. Well!! They were not happy with the decision. They wanted us to earn lots of money n come back n then settle.. Had to make them understand that with the present recession, we will be lucky if we get to keep the jobs. Eventually, they were a little ok(just a little).

Always wanted parents to visit usa( in-laws visited last year). Completed that ritual. They were very happy and we were happy to fulfill their dream. I had another dream. To show usa to my grandmother. With everyone's efforts , got her visitor visa n finally to USA. I can't explain how happy i was to atleast fulfill one of my dreams. When my granny got the visa, the tickets n finally landed in usa, i was all smiles. Tears rolled many times seeing her have a good time in usa.

In the meantime, husband moved to india in july and joined bangalore office. I wanted to tell my manager about the move after my husband is comfortable with india office. In the meantime, the tasks of deciding what to take, buy, etc started. Luckily, didn't own a house. Hence the only major expense is the cars. Sold one car immediately and kept another till the last week. Decided to dispose all the stuff as we planned to stay in my in-laws house in bangalore(hubby is from bangalore itself) and the house is already furnished. I was ok to move to a temp accomodation in usa if needed as i wanted to finish off all the tasks. Craigslist was the site for disposing off the big stuff like couches, bed and friends bought most of the stuff and made my move easier.

Once we were sure about the final move, told my company. They were not happy about it as i was a critical employee and offered me work from home if needed. I partially agreed as i didn't plan about my job perspectives after my move and this idea was a welcome breeze. Husband came back to usa on business visa in sept and spent 2 weeks for the final packing n disposing. Company provided accomodation n car rental as a part of business trip.It was like a dreamy phase and everything seemed to be happening too quick and lots of things to do. Couldn't let go off our lcd tv for a low price n decided to get it india. Sent 3 of my suitcases with parents n granny. Found a guy off this forum to ship one box of mine along with his stuff in a container for a price. Husband had a business class ticket and hence we could take 3 suitcases + tv. I could take 2. Thats it. Everything else sold or gave it to charities. Phew!! Couldn't believe that we gathered so much of stuff. We carried clothes, footwear, camera, wii, 2 laptops, ipad, ipod,itouch, juicer, cosmetics, 2 smart phones n some basic stuff. After reading this forum, we realized that everything is available in india n parents said the same.

Final week was busy meeting all the friends and went to office till the day before move. Since we started planning things earlier, there was breathing space in the end. Final day arrived to bid adieu to the 'land of opportunities' and the bay area. It was a mixed feeling. Reality felt as if we were going through a dream. Started to airport with friends n family. Spent the last few hours in airport n finally boarded the flight. Mind still busy from planning n executing soo much since past few days with less sleep.. But one thing was for sure, i wasn't regretting the move. For good or worse, we planned to settle in india.

Landed in bangalore on oct 10. Husband started to work immediately. I started looking for jobs and hit a jackpot with the very first interview which was actually a referral through my cousin. Got an offer after a month of moving back. In the meantime, visited the places i wanted to and started working last week. Life is good so far.

Few things which i feel that helped us move smoothly are:
1. Extensive research through this R2I forum.
2. Talking to friends who r2ied.
3. Knowing about inflation in india and preparing ourselves to converse in 4 or 5 digit numbers whenever we talk
4. Planning ahead to time and starting early.
5. Understanding about maids, traffic, culture in india and overcoming the overwhelming reviews on these.
6. Real estate market.
7. ' just do it' without overplanning and overthinking attitude.
8. A strong decision to plan for kids only in india.
9. If india dosen't work out, then we planned to try another country and think of a work around.After all, whats life for.


Even though, we had nerve chilling fear at everystep of the move and sleepless nights, it was exciting to go through the whole process and mutual decision n moral support of husband n wife makes a big difference.
Bangalore is new to me as i am from hyderabad and staying with in laws was a whole new path to get used to. First month was not great in terms of adjustment. Jetlag, new place, no maid, power cuts, unpacking, oily food, q&a sessions with family, etc..we still don't have maid. Changed 2 already in a month. So, the mil-dil relationship is being put to test now. :). Poor husband is being pulled by both the ladies of the house. And to top it, ours is love marriage. Our love is going through a post deployment testing phase too. Well!! Whats the research on r2i useful for? To understand n expect things before they happen as they were already experienced by other members of this forum. :). We will adjust and get used to everything as a common indian.

Now talking about numbers, we had a whooping $15,000 when we returned. Funny! Ain't it. Atleast the conversation rate was good ($1=50rs).When i went through ' how much is enuf' forum, i used to laugh at myself and still do. Approx $150k was the combined earning per year in usa. So, out of $600k in 4 years, we could save $15k. Uhmm, no words to describe our lovely relationship. Some achivemnts with savings include owning 2 plots in outskirts of bangalore( still paying
Loan. Quarter completed). In laws have independent house in bangalore, so had to drop ourselves in their abode( what are parents for anyways. Its like they are taking care of us, intead of us taking care of them. Well! Everyone has their day). Payed off college loans, paid for both the parents visits, once a year india trips,etc.

Finally, i can say that we are happy to say that we are happy now. We will see as life goes by what it has in store for us.

A big thanks to this forum as it made us realise that there are many ppl like us in the same boat. Feel free to PM me if you need any further info

[Dicky_Bird]

Congratulations on the move back to India..
looks like excellent tuning with spouse and rest fall in place for you

Good Luck

[LotsOfRokda]

You have so much enthusiasm..good for you and your spouse. You made the decision and worked on it when you are young and free ! congrats and enjoy.

[arunkp]

Good luck with your move to India...we are also planning to move in 2012 and your experience gives me the courage to move forward. I liked your " ' just do it' without overplanning and overthinking attitude." point as the more i analyse the more it becomes complicated and worrisome.

[clarence123]

I had another dream. To show usa to my grandmother. With everyone's efforts , got her visitor visa n finally to USA. I can't explain how happy i was to atleast fulfill one of my dreams. When my granny got the visa, the tickets n finally landed in usa, i was all smiles. Tears rolled many times seeing her have a good time in usa.

Heartening to see your care towards grandmother.. You are a blessed one !

[punaragamanam]

Originally Posted by pachik
I had another dream. To show usa to my grandmother. With everyone's efforts , got her visitor visa n finally to USA. I can't explain how happy i was to atleast fulfill one of my dreams. When my granny got the visa, the tickets n finally landed in usa, i was all smiles. Tears rolled many times seeing her have a good time in usa.

.... I Am truly happy for you. I had the same dream of bringing my grand mother to visit me in the US but she grew too old by the time I was finished with my studies and secured Job in US.
Wish you all the best.

[we2india]

Congrats .
Will appreciate if you could share all your experiences, like where you stay now and how far is work , commute ,etc ,etc ???
How was your package ?

[srir2i]

Our love is going through a post deployment testing phase too.

Very nice post. Cool comments. Best Wishes!