An Indian couple living in the US has advised young Indians to think carefully before moving abroad, saying many of the opportunities they once went overseas for are now available in India as well. When asked what advice he would give young Indians planning to
move to the US, Suhas simply said, “Don’t come.”
Explaining his view, he said the situation was very different when he and his wife moved abroad.
“We came here because, at that time, India was very tough for us to crack into. It was difficult to get a good job and a good quality of life. The US was an easy bet. You come here, do your master’s, get a job, and you are set,” he said.
However, Suhas believes the gap has narrowed significantly.
“But now, you can do almost everything in India that you can do here,” he said.
Priyanka added that India is also attracting major investments and creating more opportunities.
Suhas also spoke about the personal cost of moving abroad.
He said leaving family and friends, starting life in a foreign country and trying to feel accepted can be emotionally difficult.
“I still don’t feel like I am fully accepted here. If I could, I would rather live in India,” he said.
The couple also compared the approach of some Chinese students and professionals with that of Indians living abroad.
“They come here, get educated, gain knowledge and go back to contribute to their country,” he said.
Priyanka added that even people who spend several years doing higher studies, including long PhD programmes, often return to China. She felt Indians are less likely to do the same.
The couple’s comments received mixed reactions online.
Some users agreed with their view, while others said young people should still take the opportunity to move abroad if they get one, as the experience can be valuable.
Several users also questioned why Suhas himself had not returned to India if he felt this way.
Responding to them, Suhas said returning is not as simple as it sounds because he has already built a life in the US.
He explained that moving back would involve another major personal and financial cost.
“India being difficult does not automatically make America worth it. I already paid the cost of moving and built a life here. Moving back now would mean paying another huge cost. That does not mean I would make the original decision again,” he wrote.
He added that if he were living in India today and had to make the decision again, he would not move to the US.
Suhas said immigration uncertainty is one of the biggest reasons behind his opinion.
He pointed to the long green card wait for Indians, dependence on employers for maintaining legal status and uncertainty faced by spouses and children on dependent visas.
“For Indians, it is not a simple path from a good job to a green card,” he said.
He advised young people not to look only at salaries when deciding whether to move abroad.
According to him, they should also consider visa anxiety, dependence on employers, the impact on a spouse’s career, uncertainty over children’s immigration status, distance from parents and the long wait for stability.
“Knowing the full cost, I would not make the move today,” he said.
The discussion has once again highlighted how the dream of moving to the US is being viewed differently by some Indian immigrants, especially as opportunities improve in India while immigration uncertainty in America continues to remain a major concern.
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శుభం. When Chapris advise other Chapris..it is always welcome.
Instead of writing about others, why don’t you publish your own interview and say whether you long to settle back in India? May be in Chitooru or Bengaluru?
Why don’t you reveal whether you want to settle back in Bharat? Either in Sitturu or Bengaluuru?