My Wonderful R2I Journey - Part 1

NJtoHYD · Post by **NJtoHYD** » Sun Dec 07, 2014 10:58 pm

I R2I'ed 2 months ago to HYD from NJ. I want to share my experience so It might help others who are in same situation as me.

My Current status is USC/OCI (all family members), I worked in US for 15 years and started a IT business - Once my business starts growing I had quit my job and started working full time on my business. Since it is software related business, I am able to run my business from India.

Reasons for R2I:
1) I don't like working for someone , I had a dream to start my own business and run it at my own terms. In US I find it very challenging due to high expenses. In India I am able to live decently with 4 servants (Driver, Cook, Cleaner, Nanny) and expenses are under $2k per month. In US my basic expense will be around $6-$8k per month if you include health insurance, rent, day care.
2) I promised someone that I will return India to stay close to my parents - If I don't do this, I can never be happy in my life. Hence I want to give my best shot and try to live in India as much as possible. If things don't work then I will never repent that I didn't try this route.
3) My Kids are young 8 Years & 5 Years hence this is the right age for them to bond with grand parents

Any one interested to know more about me ?

If no one shows interest, I will assume my experience is not useful and I will discontinue sharing my experience

chak75 · Post by **chak75** » Mon Dec 08, 2014 12:04 am

Please continue...

teera · Post by **teera** » Mon Dec 08, 2014 12:56 am

NJtoHYD;587358....Any one interested to know more about me ?

If no one shows interest, I will assume my experience is not useful and I will discontinue sharing my experience

That?s the very essence of this forum. It?s good to get back to the basics once in a while. :)
Appreciate your intent to share your experiences. Do continue as time permits. You can be assured of many an eager eye.

seeking · Post by **seeking** » Mon Dec 08, 2014 1:15 am

In every r2i case I would like to identify success factors (Those that might have contributed to the high degree of satisfaction that is evident in your narrative, your clearly articulated goals, correct time to return, i.e. While the kids are still young). If possible, perhaps prospective r2i's can learn a thing or two.

Another factor seems to be that you knew you wanted to work for yourself, which saved you much time looking for a job. There are many posts about how to find the right job, salary levels etc. you saved much time there too.

You didn't mention spouse-related issues. One other nice thing on which i personally place a high value is your choice to keep the promise you made to your parents to be with them. You must have noticed, this is yet another eternal dilemma that often haunts NRI's - what should i do? My kids do not want to live in India, but my parents need me.

You didn't mention challenges, not that everyone should have faced them. Even likely that you stayed positive and overcame all challenges.

All in all, even from your short but crisp post, you are a winner. Keep it up. May be you would let me meet you in Hyderabad some time.

NJtoHYD · Post by **NJtoHYD** » Mon Dec 08, 2014 11:54 pm

seeking;587365In every r2i case I would like to identify success factors (Those that might have contributed to the high degree of satisfaction that is evident in your narrative, your clearly articulated goals, correct time to return, i.e. While the kids are still young). If possible, perhaps prospective r2i's can learn a thing or two.

Another factor seems to be that you knew you wanted to work for yourself, which saved you much time looking for a job. There are many posts about how to find the right job, salary levels etc. you saved much time there too.

You didn't mention spouse-related issues. One other nice thing on which i personally place a high value is your choice to keep the promise you made to your parents to be with them. You must have noticed, this is yet another eternal dilemma that often haunts NRI's - what should i do? My kids do not want to live in India, but my parents need me.

You didn't mention challenges, not that everyone should have faced them. Even likely that you stayed positive and overcame all challenges.

All in all, even from your short but crisp post, you are a winner. Keep it up. May be you would let me meet you in Hyderabad some time.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, You encouraged me to write more..I will continue to share. Thx

NJtoHYD · Post by **NJtoHYD** » Tue Dec 09, 2014 12:07 am

My Wonderful R2I Journey - Part 2

I would like share challenges in this article

1) Biggest challenge for any one who want to come to India is 'Source of Income' - Is it going to come from Job or Business ? If you plan to work at lower level in cooperate world in India, your job satisfaction will be comparatively low in India. If you plan to do Business in India, It is quite tough for NRI unless it is IT related product. Right now my focus is to build my product hence my job satisfaction is high.
2) Finding the Right Group is another tough challenge - Even though we are NRIs we are living in NON-NRI locality in HYD next to my parents, We plan to live here for 1-2 years as initial settlement becomes easy. Also, staying next to parents gives more interaction with my kids. Sometimes, we feel bored there is no eco system for us to enjoy with other NRIs
3) Traffic/Pollution is horrible - If you have a good car/driver, this problem may be ignored. Also, make sure your kids school is close by
4) Spouse support - Currently my spouse is 100% with me hence no issues on R2I side

Any one interested to know more about any other particular aspect, pls let me know

nepid · Post by **nepid** » Tue Dec 09, 2014 12:12 am

I am also planning to start an IT product company and would like to hear about your experience with the setup process - registration, trademarks etc.

mate4all · Post by **mate4all** » Tue Dec 09, 2014 12:19 am

1. Would you still have R2I if you were working for someone in India?
2. Do you plan to travel back to US for business purpose? how often?
3. I don't doubt you but basic expense for 6-8K seems to much to me (with daycare for 2 kids and mortgage yes it can reach 6K)
If one has 6-8K monthly expense then what will be annual savings Vs. gross income.. I'm in IT for 8 years but don't see matching up myself to that in this life.

seeking · Post by **seeking** » Tue Dec 09, 2014 3:25 pm

NJtoHYD;587452My Wonderful R2I Journey - Part 2

I would like share challenges in this article

1) Biggest challenge for any one who want to come to India is 'Source of Income' - Is it going to come from Job or Business ? If you plan to work at lower level in cooperate world in India, your job satisfaction will be comparatively low in India. If you plan to do Business in India, It is quite tough for NRI unless it is IT related product. Right now my focus is to build my product hence my job satisfaction is high.

As I said, one key success factor in your case seems to be that you knew exactly what to do. I have often noticed that, r2i or not, in general, not knowing what "turns you on" (= what one wants) is no way to reach higher levels of achievement, satisfaction or happiness. I know, in a general way, what I want to do after retirement and have several wishes, but have no clue which ones I am likely / will be able to choose, and how I would realize them. For now, I am living what I often tell my son - "a goal without a plan is but a dream".

NJtoHYD;587452 2) ...Also, staying next to parents gives more interaction with my kids. Sometimes, we feel bored there is no eco system for us to enjoy with other NRIs.

But this is a primary reason for returning to India. In addition to you spending time with parents, your parents, too, get to spend time with grandchildren. They may be of utmost value in the familial and social support needed to settle culturally and otherwise. Yet another key success factor. You could visit that missing ecosystem where NRI's reside on weekends. So you can have the double-ka-meetha and eat it too:-))

NJtoHYD;587452 4) Spouse support - Currently my spouse is 100% with me hence no issues on R2I side.

The make-or-break success factor, and you have cracked that one, too!

Winners all the way! My hearty congratulations! I would definitely like to meet you:-))

NJtoHYD · Post by **NJtoHYD** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 3:51 pm

nepid;587454I am also planning to start an IT product company and would like to hear about your experience with the setup process - registration, trademarks etc.

Things have change drastically - you can easily get started if you have start up eco system - I recommend going to IIIT-H incubation center and meet with other startup companies.