“Waiters hesitated to attend us …”: After living abroad, this professional explains why India is a better choice than Europe and US |

For years, moving abroad has been sold as a one-way upgrade, better pay, cleaner cities, efficient systems, and a lifestyle that signals success. For many Indians, returning home after “making it” overseas is framed as a compromise, or worse, a quiet failure. But that narrative is beginning to crack. Across online forums and private conversations, a growing number of Indians who once built lives in the US and Europe are questioning whether the trade-offs are still worth it. Rising living costs, subtle social exclusion, long healthcare waiting times, and emotional distance from family are pushing some to reconsider a decision that was once considered irreversible. One such account recently sparked discussion on Reddit. Shared by an Indian professional, with the handle name nandhini92, who spent four years abroad, two in the US and two across major European cities, the post offers a candid look at what life looks like after moving back, not to a metro, but to a tier-3 town in South India.

The user didn’t return out of compulsion or career burnout. She works remotely, earns well, and lives comfortably. Her story contrasts with the popular idea that life abroad is inherently superior. She describes her experience saying, “I lived for about two years in Texas, followed by another two years in Europe, specifically in Amsterdam, Paris, and Munich. A year ago, I moved back to India, and I can confidently say it has been the best decision of my life.”Now living in a tier-3 town in South India, working remotely, and earning a strong income, allowed her to evaluate life back home without the usual pressures of unemployment or adjustment.

In terms of racism, not even the subtle kind, “I feel genuinely good knowing my kids will go to school where no one will call them Jeets, brown curry, poop blocker, or whatever the latest insult might be,” she adds. She admits that she never faced direct racism abroad, but notes that subtle forms were hard to ignore, particularly in the US. “Like waiters hesitating to attend to us. Not using ‘please’ when interacting with us, while they did with others,” she adds.Read more: Anand Mahindra wonders why the world is not visiting this unique travel destination, calls it heaven Medical access is also one of the crucial things that has been discussed. “There’s zero wait time for medical appointments,” she added while recalling waiting nearly a month abroad after a cracked, root-canaled tooth, eventually returning to India for treatment.“In India, you can get a same-day appointment with a brain surgeon or super-specialty doctor, and it’s surprisingly affordable.” In terms of infrastructures, it’s actually better than people assume, and we agree with him. Although potholes and inconsistencies, many parts are livable and constantly improving, she adds.As for finances, she added, “I’ve invested in several commercial properties and earn about INR 1 lakh per month in rent, while my monthly expenses are under INR 20,000.”

Living in a family home, hiring domestic help, and avoiding frequent eating out have made her lifestyle both affordable and comfortable. Many of us face this emotional trauma too, as we stay most of our life away from our parents to earn a living. “Seeing my mom every day matters more than I realised,” that thought, she says, stayed with her throughout her time abroad. “Now, I see her every day, and that kind of comfort is irreplaceable,” she says now.Read more: Indian runner sets Guinness record for fastest Manali–Leh run across high Himalayan passes, finishes under 100 hours “India can feel chaotic and overcrowded, like a carnival every day. But I actually thrive on that constant buzz.” In contrast, she describes the US as feeling ‘eerily quiet,’ especially after dark.The trade-offs still exist, she says, like public transport isn’t as clean as in the US or Europe, corruption exists, and other small things. Still, her conclusion is clear that she made the best decision of her life by coming back to India.