We are double income family(no kids yet) -studied in US and have been working in the US for last couple of years. We recently got our GC and have invested our modest savings in India.
My husband recently got a job in Bangalore that is 20L CTC for job that he will excel in. Will that be good enough? Do I have to find a job as well or will single income be good enough? I believe we both live modestly and do not aspire to reach the "upper-echleons" of Indian living.
We have always wanted to R2I but are just wondering if we should wait for a couple of years or take this opportunity. Also, is retaining GC while in India difficult? Is the GC really necessary?
Your thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated.
To go or not to go?
To go or not to go?
aprilsummer25;467020We are double income family(no kids yet) -studied in US and have been working in the US for last couple of years. We recently got our GC and have invested our modest savings in India.
My husband recently got a job in Bangalore that is 20L CTC for job that he will excel in. Will that be good enough? Do I have to find a job as well or will single income be good enough? I believe we both live modestly and do not aspire to reach the "upper-echleons" of Indian living.
We have always wanted to R2I but are just wondering if we should wait for a couple of years or take this opportunity. Also, is retaining GC while in India difficult? Is the GC really necessary?
Your thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated.
Go for it ! And now that you are on the forum, you might want to read those who had been there already and have their experiences in diaries:
http://www.r2iclubforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/16-R2I-Diaries
Find a bangaluru returnee diary and read the entries and comments..
Good luck.
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aprilsummer25
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2012 3:57 am
To go or not to go?
@Okonomi - Accepted the verbal offer on the job:) Time to finalize the details. I am glad I found this forum - really helpful details. More questions to come soon! Thank you!!
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GoodForAll
- Posts: 58
- Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2010 12:58 am
To go or not to go?
aprilsummer25;467020We are double income family(no kids yet) -studied in US and have been working in the US for last couple of years. We recently got our GC and have invested our modest savings in India.
My husband recently got a job in Bangalore that is 20L CTC for job that he will excel in. Will that be good enough? Do I have to find a job as well or will single income be good enough? I believe we both live modestly and do not aspire to reach the "upper-echleons" of Indian living.
We have always wanted to R2I but are just wondering if we should wait for a couple of years or take this opportunity. Also, is retaining GC while in India difficult? Is the GC really necessary?
Your thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated.
Is there a strong reason to go like your parents need your immediate care now and it can't wait etc. If not please don;t R2I.
I recently R2Ied (three months back) and took a job in India (both me and DH). I am being completely honest here, there are days I feel good about R2I and 90% of the time I feel unhappy since in India money needs to flow like water to have basic facilities met.
20 lakh is only enough if you have already a paid off house and you are ready to go in public transportation everywhere and definitely not live like a US return :-(. My monthy expenses range from 50 to 60000 s per month for a family of four (excluding rent and we only eat out once a month).
You can live happily in India if you do not read newspaper every day and definitely skip all the negative news.Do not trust anyone, in broad daylight people will take money from you be it for telephone connection,broadband or cable.
I regret my R2I sometimes depending on which side of the bed I got up like someone else said in this forum. I enjoy my kids living with their grand parents and having more friends here etc. But still day to day life is very hard here.
Since both of you don;t have kids yet and have two jobs ,save enough ,have USC for kids and then return later if you're still interested.
India is really good for upper class people or for people who are ready to live like a local(travel in bus, can eat from road side dabba's and not have all those NRI qualities,I didn;t meant International schools here )
Seeing India from US and actually living here is very different. To get any basic stuff done is a big hassle and by the end of the day you are so tired to enjoy time with your family.
I do have USC and can return back if needed. I would like to give my self atleast one year to see if I get adjusted to this chaos. Otherwise I will R2A and take my parents there.
Whatever experience this R2I gives in the mean time I will consider it as a valuable experience for my kids and family.
For people who will ask, didn't you know all this before moving back my answer is this. Life in India when parents are taking care of you and every other problems is very different from the case where I am supposed to take care of my family and every responsibility that comes with it.
To go or not to go?
GoodForAll;467954I would like to give my self atleast one year to see if I get adjusted to this chaos.
Going by what folks have said in this forum, one year may be too short to test it out. So I would suggest trying out for 2+ years. Most of the R2Ied folks have expressed the same feeling - feeling good one day and bad another day - but most of them have said they have got the "inner" peace even though everything sucks. So hang on until the inner peace comes in!:) BTW, you have covered so many things in just a few sentences very nicely. Excellent articulation!
To go or not to go?
Guys, My sincere advice to those who are planning to R2I: IF you don't have a compelling reason to go back (family commitments etc) DON'T GO. I lived in the U.S. for about 13 years and went back in Dec 2009. I moved through same employer, which means that I had a good role and job waiting for me in Chennai. After being there for about 2.5 years, I came back - R2A.
People talk about "India being developed", "India has changed" etc etc. I am not sure what development means. When I left India back in 1996, there were severe problems with Power, Water, Infrastructure, Corruption etc. 14 years later ALL THOSE PROBLEMS exist!! In fact, they have multiplied exponentially !!
People carrying around with the latest iPhone or Samsung Galaxy III is NOT development. Hundreds of western fast food chains (McDonald's, Pizza hut etc) sprouting up every week in Metro cities is NOT development and people buying the expensive cars is not development.
All the basic problems still exist ( I think for the past 40 years !). You may live in a nice community with swimming pools and things. but the moment you step out, you will have to face Indian reality - ruthless traffic, extreme pollution, unsafe food/water, rampant corruption, and the list goes on..
I used to think that once i go back, I will have a chauffeur to drive me around, my wife will have a maid and a cook at her service etc etc. Believe me folks, dealing with these folks is a challenge, irrespective of how well you pay them. Having lived in the U.S with little or no dependency on other people, dealing with these folks were getting on our nerves !
Trains (at least in South India) are horrible.. (By the way, the toilets are still the same as Brits had designed them during the steam engine times!!) . I once took night train from Chennai to Kerala. The bogie was infested with cockroaches.. they would come above you,below you and ON you and you cant do anything about it. They hand over a blanket in the A/C coach. My son got bitten so badly by bed bugs that I had to take him to the doctor the next day! First time, when the examiner came to check, I complained to him about roaches, bugs etc...He asked for my ticket and while checking it... all he asked me was "Sir, Veliyoora "' means, "Are you from out of the country" :o and he quietly walked way.. I didnt quite understand why he asked me that.. Later, I realized why he asked me that question... After this incident, we had to travel couple of times in the night train and we were always welcomed by roaches and bugs in the coach. But I never complained to anyone. bcos you know that nothing is going to happen.
The guy who delivers our newspaper has lot of other side business. I once asked him where the RTO (DMV) was .. bcos I would like to take a driver's license in India. The guy asked me few questions (like do you have Ration card, pan card, local address proof etc etc, most of which I did not have). After all that he said, "I will deliver your driver's license to your home, you just pay me 8K INR". you just need to come to RTO once to sign in front of some officer... not driving test, no learners license, nothing.. This is just an example. Most of the govt services from birth to death certificate function this way..
guys, I have plenty of such stories. but I don't want to bore this group. so my advise to those of you who are still contemplating about R2I, unless you have a strong reason to go back, pls DONT GO. It is not worth it. India hasnt changed a bit in the last 40 years !!!
People talk about "India being developed", "India has changed" etc etc. I am not sure what development means. When I left India back in 1996, there were severe problems with Power, Water, Infrastructure, Corruption etc. 14 years later ALL THOSE PROBLEMS exist!! In fact, they have multiplied exponentially !!
People carrying around with the latest iPhone or Samsung Galaxy III is NOT development. Hundreds of western fast food chains (McDonald's, Pizza hut etc) sprouting up every week in Metro cities is NOT development and people buying the expensive cars is not development.
All the basic problems still exist ( I think for the past 40 years !). You may live in a nice community with swimming pools and things. but the moment you step out, you will have to face Indian reality - ruthless traffic, extreme pollution, unsafe food/water, rampant corruption, and the list goes on..
I used to think that once i go back, I will have a chauffeur to drive me around, my wife will have a maid and a cook at her service etc etc. Believe me folks, dealing with these folks is a challenge, irrespective of how well you pay them. Having lived in the U.S with little or no dependency on other people, dealing with these folks were getting on our nerves !
Trains (at least in South India) are horrible.. (By the way, the toilets are still the same as Brits had designed them during the steam engine times!!) . I once took night train from Chennai to Kerala. The bogie was infested with cockroaches.. they would come above you,below you and ON you and you cant do anything about it. They hand over a blanket in the A/C coach. My son got bitten so badly by bed bugs that I had to take him to the doctor the next day! First time, when the examiner came to check, I complained to him about roaches, bugs etc...He asked for my ticket and while checking it... all he asked me was "Sir, Veliyoora "' means, "Are you from out of the country" :o and he quietly walked way.. I didnt quite understand why he asked me that.. Later, I realized why he asked me that question... After this incident, we had to travel couple of times in the night train and we were always welcomed by roaches and bugs in the coach. But I never complained to anyone. bcos you know that nothing is going to happen.
The guy who delivers our newspaper has lot of other side business. I once asked him where the RTO (DMV) was .. bcos I would like to take a driver's license in India. The guy asked me few questions (like do you have Ration card, pan card, local address proof etc etc, most of which I did not have). After all that he said, "I will deliver your driver's license to your home, you just pay me 8K INR". you just need to come to RTO once to sign in front of some officer... not driving test, no learners license, nothing.. This is just an example. Most of the govt services from birth to death certificate function this way..
guys, I have plenty of such stories. but I don't want to bore this group. so my advise to those of you who are still contemplating about R2I, unless you have a strong reason to go back, pls DONT GO. It is not worth it. India hasnt changed a bit in the last 40 years !!!
To go or not to go?
Yesterday evening my Internet connection was sporadic. I called up the BSNL Line Man (I have his personal number). He said he would come soon and asked me to formally book the complaint. It was late already and he didn't come. This morning, I called up the call center and booked the complaint. The BSNL folks lifted the phone in the first two rings, only asked my land-line number and booked the complaint. I immediately got an SMS with the complaint number.
After the complaint was booked I noticed that my landline phone was also dead. I was going out and didn't want to call up the call center again. I was passing by the BSNL customer care center. I stopped by and wanted to book a dead-phone complaint as well. The customer service rep just asked for my phone number and in his system he can already see that I have a Broadband complaint and said the same service rep will be able to fix both.
After I came home, I waited for about 30 minutes and called up our BSNL Line Man. He acknowledged that he has my number on his "To Do List" for today and will get home soon to fix it. Within 30 minutes of that phone call he came home, looked at the wiring and found the problem and fixed it immediately. I casually mentioned him that some of the internal wiring is also not working. He and his assistant took the time to fix the internal wiring as well. I have paid them a tip of Rs.50 for the prompt and flawless service.
Now, the question of "why did the line go dead in the first place?". A small bird built a nest on our window sill. It sits on the telephone wire. The wire goes through a small gap between the outside AC machine and its base. Every time the bird sits on the wire, it swings and the wire's insulation got cut-off at a point where the wire is going under the AC machine.
All of this done in less than 2 hours since booking the complaint, with personal service and now I am back online. Where in the US can you get this?
Yes, India has a lot of issues small and big. For the small ones, you need to know how to work the system. For the large ones, you need to ignore them. And hopefully you will have the wisdom to identify which problem is small and which problem is large.
Regarding the Driving License, at least in India you have a choice of either getting it or not getting it without proper documentation. In the US, it is simply no way to get the DL without proper documentation. You have 3 choices:
1. Use your head and take the high road and say "No Thank you" to the broker and get all the proper documentation.
2. Be a Indian in India and get things done the "normal" way.
3. Get the DL using improper documentation and then file a case against the issuing officer for not doing his job right. Expose him for his wrong doings and make a poster boy out of this. You will be a hero and role model for the rest of Indians.
Most of the Indians I have met (across the globe) often take the path of least resistance. And this might be true for all humans as well.
After the complaint was booked I noticed that my landline phone was also dead. I was going out and didn't want to call up the call center again. I was passing by the BSNL customer care center. I stopped by and wanted to book a dead-phone complaint as well. The customer service rep just asked for my phone number and in his system he can already see that I have a Broadband complaint and said the same service rep will be able to fix both.
After I came home, I waited for about 30 minutes and called up our BSNL Line Man. He acknowledged that he has my number on his "To Do List" for today and will get home soon to fix it. Within 30 minutes of that phone call he came home, looked at the wiring and found the problem and fixed it immediately. I casually mentioned him that some of the internal wiring is also not working. He and his assistant took the time to fix the internal wiring as well. I have paid them a tip of Rs.50 for the prompt and flawless service.
Now, the question of "why did the line go dead in the first place?". A small bird built a nest on our window sill. It sits on the telephone wire. The wire goes through a small gap between the outside AC machine and its base. Every time the bird sits on the wire, it swings and the wire's insulation got cut-off at a point where the wire is going under the AC machine.
All of this done in less than 2 hours since booking the complaint, with personal service and now I am back online. Where in the US can you get this?
Yes, India has a lot of issues small and big. For the small ones, you need to know how to work the system. For the large ones, you need to ignore them. And hopefully you will have the wisdom to identify which problem is small and which problem is large.
Regarding the Driving License, at least in India you have a choice of either getting it or not getting it without proper documentation. In the US, it is simply no way to get the DL without proper documentation. You have 3 choices:
1. Use your head and take the high road and say "No Thank you" to the broker and get all the proper documentation.
2. Be a Indian in India and get things done the "normal" way.
3. Get the DL using improper documentation and then file a case against the issuing officer for not doing his job right. Expose him for his wrong doings and make a poster boy out of this. You will be a hero and role model for the rest of Indians.
Most of the Indians I have met (across the globe) often take the path of least resistance. And this might be true for all humans as well.
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kochisulthaan
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2009 8:33 pm
To go or not to go?
IMO there need not be or should not be any reason for a person to r2i or r2a. If a person has a “compelling” reason to r2i/r2a other than his/her dreams and aspirations, I would say it is rather unfortunate.
To go or not to go?
vizagdesi;468134Yesterday evening my Internet connection was sporadic. I called up the BSNL Line Man (I have his personal number). He said he would come soon and asked me to formally book the complaint. It was late already and he didn't come. This morning, I called up the call center and booked the complaint. The BSNL folks lifted the phone in the first two rings, only asked my land-line number and booked the complaint. I immediately got an SMS with the complaint number.
I have similar experience albeit with a different service provider.
Initial delay was probably because you had not filed a complaint. The man whose personal number you have needs to have your complaint on his service sheet. That is what i was told by the guy who looks after the connections in our area. He has to have his service record to look after.
I normally do not tip him. I meet him maybe once in six months and usually the problem is a loose connection. But i do treat him as an equal and he is. Lot of people treat the service providers as menials and suffer bad service as a result.
Yes, we complain too much but want to do nothing to make the system work.
____________________________________________
When You Are In The Light, Everything Follows You. But When You Enter Into The Dark, Even Your Own Shadow Doesn’t Follow You."
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sweet_honey
- Posts: 92
- Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:10 am
To go or not to go?
Thats right, even I carry the number of the local area lineman at all times (even for pvt providers) and able to resolve issues rather quickly.
Another example would be how my laptop and external hard drive recently had some issues and they were corrected at very reasonable prices by some computer technician. In the US, we would've had to shell out a large sum of money for the same repair, to avoid which many people choose to buy a new equipment.
If you have R2Id to India and having the blues, think about how 'lonely' you were in the west and the exact triggers which prompted you to return to homeland. I'm sure those conditions in US or any other western country still remain. You just might feel better then. :)
Another example would be how my laptop and external hard drive recently had some issues and they were corrected at very reasonable prices by some computer technician. In the US, we would've had to shell out a large sum of money for the same repair, to avoid which many people choose to buy a new equipment.
If you have R2Id to India and having the blues, think about how 'lonely' you were in the west and the exact triggers which prompted you to return to homeland. I'm sure those conditions in US or any other western country still remain. You just might feel better then. :)
dbs;468141I have similar experience albeit with a different service provider.
Initial delay was probably because you had not filed a complaint. The man whose personal number you have needs to have your complaint on his service sheet. That is what i was told by the guy who looks after the connections in our area. He has to have his service record to look after.
I normally do not tip him. I meet him maybe once in six months and usually the problem is a loose connection. But i do treat him as an equal and he is. Lot of people treat the service providers as menials and suffer bad service as a result.
Yes, we complain too much but want to do nothing to make the system work.
____________________________________________
When You Are In The Light, Everything Follows You. But When You Enter Into The Dark, Even Your Own Shadow Doesn?t Follow You."