Desi Return Diaries
Desi Return Diaries
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Welcome to ”DesiReturn Diaries: Embracing Home Again,” the podcast that shares personal journeys and expert insights on returning to India. I’m here to guide and inspire you as you embark on your own DesiReturn journey. Each episode, we’ll dive into the heartfelt stories of individuals who have chosen to come back to India after living abroad. From the challenges of adjusting to a new culture to the joys of rediscovering their roots, these personal narratives will resonate with anyone longing to call India home again. We’ll also feature expert guests who will provide valuable advice and practical tips on various aspects of returning, including finance, career transitions, education, and more. Their expertise will empower you to navigate the complexities and make the most of your journey. So, whether you’re considering a return, planning your move, or already on your way, join us on ”DesiReturn Diaries” as we explore the triumphs, challenges, and transformation of embracing home again.
Is Europe Really Worth It? 6 Years in Amsterdam Changed My Mind | Return to India
Need Indian tax filing help as an NRI or returnee? https://desireturn.com/services/india ​ Planning your return to India? Don’t guess — plan it right 👉 https://access.desireturn.com/planner-yt 👉 Need help with shipments, taxes, RNOR, investments & more: https://services.desireturn.com Have you ever wondered if life abroad is really as perfect as it looks? In this episode of Desi Return, we sit down with Garima, who spent 6 years living and working in Amsterdam, Netherlands, building a successful career in data science with global companies. Despite enjoying Europe's world-class infrastructure, work-life balance, and career growth, she made the life-changing decision to move back to India. In this candid conversation, Garima opens up about the realities of living abroad that many people don't talk about—loneliness, mental health, family, belonging, career growth, finances, and why she ultimately chose India over Europe. Whether you're planning to move abroad, currently living overseas, or thinking about returning to India, this episode will help you make a more informed decision. In this episode: Why Garima moved to Amsterdam First impressions and culture shock in the Netherlands The hidden challenges of living in Europe Loneliness and mental health while living abroad Career growth vs. quality of life Cost of living, savings, taxes, and finances Housing challenges in Amsterdam Why she decided to return to India Planning the move back to India Reverse culture shock after returning Advice for NRIs considering moving back Is Europe really the dream life everyone imagines?
Jul 9
40 min
Why I Live 6 Months in India and 6 Months in the USA After Leaving a Big 5 Career
Need Indian tax filing help as an NRI or returnee? https://desireturn.com/services/india-tax-filing?utm_source=youtube Join our private whatsapp group https://desireturn.com/services/inner-circle 👉 Need help with shipments, taxes, RNOR, investments & more: https://services.desireturn.com Can you really build a life in both India 🇮🇳 and the United States 🇺🇸? In this episode of Desi Return, I sit down with Arjun, who moved to New York at 17, built a successful career in Big 5 consulting, was on the partnership track, and then made the bold decision to move back to India. But the story doesn't end there. He later started his own company and, together with his wife, created an unconventional lifestyle—living approximately 6 months in India and 6 months in the US every year. In this conversation, we discuss: ✅ Why he walked away from a successful US career ✅ The fear of never experiencing India as an adult ✅ Applying to 50 jobs in India and getting zero responses ✅ How networking changed everything ✅ The reality of salary cuts when moving back to India ✅ Starting a company after returning to India ✅ Building a dual life between India and the US ✅ The challenges of taxes, relationships, family, and entrepreneurship across two countries ✅ Advice for NRIs considering moving back to India If you're an NRI thinking about returning to India, struggling with the India vs US decision, or wondering whether it's possible to have the best of both worlds, this episode is for you. #NRI #MoveBackToIndia #DesiReturn #LifeInIndia #NRItoIndia #ReturnToIndia #IndianAbroad #NRIlife #IndiaVsUSA #MovingToIndia #OCI #ReverseMigration #NRIParents #LifeAfterMovingBack #HealthcareInIndia #nrilife #backtoindia #nrishaala #backtoroots
Jul 2
43 min
After 10 Years in US, We Moved Back to India and Never Went Back to Tech | NRI
Need Indian tax filing help as an NRI or returnee? https://desireturn.com/services/india-tax-filing?utm_source=youtube ​ Planning your return to India? Don’t guess — plan it right 👉 https://access.desireturn.com/planner-yt 👉 Need help with shipments, taxes, RNOR, investments & more: https://services.desireturn.com From Silicon Valley to Nashik: Why We Left the US After 10 Years | H1B to Entrepreneur Journey What happens when a couple spends nearly a decade building successful careers in Silicon Valley, only to decide it's time to come back to India? In this episode of Desi Return, I speak with Chetan and Deepika about their journey from India to the US, life in Silicon Valley, the challenges of being far from family, and the events that ultimately led them to move back to India. They share: ✅ Why they originally moved to the US ✅ The reality of life and careers in Silicon Valley ✅ How becoming parents changed their priorities ✅ The impact of COVID and being far from family ✅ How they evaluated their finances before returning ✅ Why they chose Nashik instead of Bangalore, Hyderabad, or Pune ✅ Why they decided not to return to tech jobs ✅ Their journey into entrepreneurship and building a business in India ✅ Reverse culture shock after moving back ✅ What life is like for their daughter in India today ✅ Advice for NRIs considering a return to India   Whether you're actively planning your move or simply wondering if returning to India is right for your family, this conversation offers practical insights and honest reflections from people who have recently made the transition. #NRI #MoveBackToIndia #DesiReturn #LifeInIndia #NRItoIndia #ReturnToIndia #IndianAbroad #NRIlife #IndiaVsUSA #MovingToIndia #OCI #ReverseMigration #NRIParents #LifeAfterMovingBack #HealthcareInIndia #nrilife #backtoindia #nrishaala #backtoroots
Jun 25
31 min
Retirement Doesn't Have To Be Lonely. Here's Why.
👉Looking for Senior living options in India. Fill this form for recommendations  https://desireturn.com/services/senior-living 👉 Need help with shipments, taxes, RNOR, investments & more: https://services.desireturn.com Retirement doesn't have to mean slowing down. In this episode of Desi Return, we speak with Mr. Amar who spent 35+ years in Delhi before making a life-changing decision: moving into an active senior living community after retirement. We discuss: ✅ Why they chose not to stay in Delhi after retirement ✅ How active senior living compares to traditional retirement ✅ The social life, activities, and sense of community ✅ Why some NRIs from the US and Canada are choosing a similar lifestyle in India ✅ Healthcare and medical support available onsite ✅ Cost of living and monthly expenses ✅ Life after retirement, independence, and staying active   One of the most powerful insights from this conversation is that retirement is not the end of life—it can be the beginning of a completely new chapter filled with friendships, hobbies, purpose, and freedom. Whether you're planning your own retirement, helping your parents think through their options, or considering a return to India after living abroad, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on what life can look like after your working years.
Jun 18
17 min
After 20 Years in Germany... He Still Can't Decide Between India and Germany
After spending nearly 20 years in Germany, Neeraj reflects on a question many NRIs eventually face: 👉 Was moving abroad worth it? 👉 What does success mean after 20 years? 👉 And if he could start all over again, what would he do differently? In this candid conversation, Neeraj shares his journey from a small town in India to building a life in Germany. We discuss the realities of living abroad, the challenges of belonging to two countries, why some NRIs struggle after moving back to India, and the factors people should carefully consider before making a life-changing decision. Whether you're a student planning to move abroad, an NRI considering a return to India, or someone trying to decide where "home" really is, this episode offers valuable insights and lessons from two decades of experience. 🔗 Connect with Neeraj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neeraj-kumar-11852719/
Jun 11
24 min
We Never Planned to Move Back to India... Until This Happened | NRI | 10 Years Abroad | Australia
Planning your return to India? Don’t guess — plan it right 👉 https://access.desireturn.com/planner-yt 👉 Need help with shipments, taxes, RNOR, investments & more: https://services.desireturn.com After spending 10 years in Germany, Australia, and the United States, Neeta never imagined that she would eventually return to India. With a successful academic career, a PhD from the University of Melbourne, and opportunities abroad, life seemed to be on track. But a personal family tragedy forced her and her husband to rethink what truly mattered. In this candid conversation, Neeta shares: ✅ How she moved from IIT Kharagpur to Germany, Australia, and the US ✅ The cultural differences between Germany, Australia, and America ✅ Why she loved Melbourne and still misses it today ✅ The family event that changed her perspective on living abroad ✅ Why her husband returned to India without having a job lined up ✅ The realities of a long-distance marriage across continents ✅ Adjusting to life in India after years of independence abroad ✅ Living with family again after spending over a decade on her own ✅ Managing expectations when moving back to India ✅ Career opportunities in academia and life sciences in India ✅ Loneliness, friendships, and social life abroad versus India ✅ Advice for NRIs considering a move back home Whether you're living in the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, Singapore, Europe, or anywhere else abroad, this conversation offers an honest perspective on the emotional, practical, and personal aspects of returning to India.
Jun 4
21 min
Burned Out in Canada, Happier in India? Moved to India After 20+ Years
Planning your return to India? Don’t guess — plan it right 👉 https://access.desireturn.com/planner-yt 👉 Need help with cross border taxes, RNOR, shipments, investments & more: https://services.desireturn.com After 14 years in corporate Canada, Stefan made a decision that many people dream about — but very few actually take. Despite a successful career, good income, and a comfortable life abroad, he found himself feeling mentally exhausted, stuck, and unfulfilled. What started as burnout eventually led him and his wife to rethink everything — career, lifestyle, family, and what “success” really means. In this episode, Stefan shares his honest experience of: Corporate burnout in Canada Daily panic attacks and mental health struggles Why he chose India over Canada Building a new life in Bangalore Entrepreneurship and AI opportunities Challenges after moving to India Social isolation and rebuilding community Cost of living and lifestyle differences OCI and immigration process as a non-Indian spouse Advice for anyone considering moving abroad or returning to India   This is not a “India is perfect” story. It’s an honest conversation about tradeoffs, priorities, and building a life that feels meaningful.
May 28
23 min
Raised My US Citizen Kids in India ... Here's What Happened? | NRI | OCI
Planning your return to India? Don’t guess — plan it right 👉 https://access.desireturn.com/planner-yt 👉 Need help with shipments, taxes, RNOR, investments & more: https://services.desireturn.com After spending years in the US, moving back to India in 2004, raising US citizen kids in India, and then returning to America again after 21 years — Amit shares an honest and balanced perspective on life between the two countries. In this episode, we talk about: 🇮🇳 Raising US citizen / OCI kids in India 🎓 OCI advantages in Indian colleges 💼 India vs US career opportunities in 2026 💰 Financial tradeoffs of staying abroad vs moving back 🛂 H1B stress, green card reality & optionality 👨‍👩‍👧 Parenting decisions and future planning ❤️ Aging parents — the emotional side nobody talks about   This is not a “US vs India” debate. It’s a practical and emotional conversation for families trying to make informed decisions about career, children, finances, identity, and long-term happiness.
May 21
15 min
After 25 Years in US ... Why This NRI Left Everything and Moved Back to India
Planning your return to India? Don’t guess — plan it right 👉 https://access.desireturn.com/planner-yt 👉 Need help with shipments, taxes, RNOR, investments & more: https://services.desireturn.com After spending 25 years abroad across the UK and the US, she never imagined moving back to India. Life was good. She built multiple careers, ran businesses, raised her son in America, and enjoyed the opportunities and freedoms that came with living abroad. But one moment changed everything. In this conversation, we talk about: Why she decided to move back to India after decades abroad Raising a child in India vs the US Healthcare differences between India and America Community vs convenience Life in a second-tier Indian city after years in the West Running businesses in India and abroad Tax and financial planning when returning to India The emotional reality of living far away from family She also shares the surprising things she loved after moving back — from stronger community connections to the ease of daily life in India. If you’re an NRI, OCI, or someone considering returning to India after living abroad, this episode offers a very honest and practical perspective. #NRI #MoveBackToIndia #DesiReturn #LifeInIndia #NRItoIndia #ReturnToIndia #IndianAbroad #NRIlife #IndiaVsUSA #MovingToIndia #OCI #ReverseMigration #NRIParents #LifeAfterMovingBack #HealthcareInIndia #nrilife #backtoindia #nrishaala #backtoroots
May 14
24 min
I Left Germany After 5 Years... Here's Why I Moved Back to India
Planning your return to India? Don’t guess — plan it right 👉 https://access.desireturn.com/planner-yt Need help with shipments, taxes, RNOR, investments & more: https://services.desireturn.com Thinking of moving back to India from Germany or Europe? In this episode of Desi Return, Akhil shares his honest experience of living in Germany for nearly 5 years, building a successful engineering and AI career, getting German PR, and ultimately deciding to move back to Hyderabad, India. We discuss: Life in Germany as an Indian Germany work culture & work-life balance The reality of loneliness abroad Challenges with bureaucracy, language & healthcare access How he planned his return to India German PR, taxes, pension & documentation process Transferring money back to India Career opportunities in India vs Germany Returning to Hyderabad after years abroad Emotional and practical aspects of moving back   If you're an Indian living in Germany, Europe, Canada, UK, USA, Australia, or anywhere abroad and thinking about returning to India, this conversation will help you make a more informed decision. #backtoindia backtoindia #nri #returntoindia #homecoming #FIRE #retireearly #reversemigration #backtoroots #nrishaala #nrilife #desireturn #germany
May 7
33 min
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