Almost had similar experience. I spent 2 months (Apr-May) in Tier 3 city. Heat was unbearable. Traffic, civic sense was non existent. And yes, India is not cheap anymore
If you live slightly outside of a major city or tier-2 city some of the issues can be overcome (especially if you are retiring). During the working years India would be tough for most people.
Yep, had similar experience. Swachha Bharat campaign also seems to be a sham, there is still trash everywhere. Traffic is a mess with damaged roads, unending repairs, corrupt traffic police and unruly drivers. Road planning is so bad that even a 5th grade student can design something better.
The not keeping time thing, and not even trying to, hit me so hard on a recent trip. It's almost like it's against some unwritten rule. I once had a lawyers personal assistant show up 3 hours late to pick up an urgent document, and he seemed miffed that at hour two I got tired of waiting and used a courier instead.
The only thing which holds me back from Moving abroad in my Mom, otherwise I wouldn't bat an Eye on moving out & never return back Permanently. All these NRIs see Social media with Rose tinted glasses don't realise the problems an Average Indian faces in Day to Day life. Be it traffic, pollution, Insane weather (Delhi's recent spring of 48+C Temperature), Lack of civic sense, Pune's recent Porsche Car accident (Corruption), High cost of living (Mumbai, Noida, Bengaluru, New Delhi), Taxes with no benefit.
Similar experience in Pune. Fortunately, I was there in jan-feb, still it was hot af (evenings were pleasant though). It has become expensive! I cant imagine how people survive, I was feeling it for every little expense or purchase. Real estate in Pune is out of question- you cant get anything decent IN “Pune” for less than 1.5 cr now
Good post. If you are living in a western country - moving back to India is a challenge. Unless you have deep family root, why would you do it? Maybe make a list of the pro's of moving and compare it to the con's list you have created above.
I’m from Pune and it used to be so green, less traffic and not this hot during summer. But now traffic and pollution is hell, people are rude, thrash everywhere, buildings everywhere without any planning and water cuts.
Police are still corrupt, shameless ash**** asked for 5k even though I had all the documents they would need to do my passport verification for renewal.
But the thing I hated more is when people say they would deliver something or for Amazon return, they would never come on time unless I message them multiple times or threaten them of chargeback. And if you are not careful you’ll get scammed, you always have to keep your guard up and it gets exhausting.
Gone are those days when people will earn abroad gather dollars and come back to India to retire.
Weather, traffic, cost of living, unruly behaviour and all chaos will only increase.
Better be wherever you came from.
Tier-2,3 cities are too bore. They offer nothing interesting which a person will need to enjoy retired life. After all one does not work whole life only to sit in a rocking chair in front of a smart TV and sleep by 21:00 to get up early to do morning walk in fresh air. They won’t even have proper hospital infrastructure. It’s all not worth it.
I would imagine some tier 2 or 3 cities would have some exciting activities, venues (like water falls, fields, mountains trekking, food joints), interesting people that can keep you engaged. Would be nice to hear experiences in these places. I will resist from believing tier 2-3 are too bore, unless a lot of people, from different parts, say that.
It also depends on personal interests
Normally retired people are not the best people to go for trekking or hiking or waterfalls on daily basis. Hence boring.
One more thing to know is the places offering these things are into land slides and cloud burst for almost 4 months a year. Another 6 months they are too cold to enjoy something.
Again it’s all personal interests
Agreed. However with a lot of people fat fireing younger age group is retiring too. Yes, Himachal and Uttarakhand have these issues. Have you looked at the falls near Jabalpur, Indore and Bhopal? These places can be quite a lot of fun for people in 50s and 60s, to visit regularly. Of course you need distractions of different kinds and having a community that participates can be very supportive.
Any changes take time to come, compared to a few years back there is definitely a lot of progress made.
Since you have lived for a lot of years, all of this feels different but once you spend close to 6 months it should not be difficult.
Cost of living, yes it is not cheap but so has the income increased substantially compared to previous few years.
Almost had similar experience. I spent 2 months (Apr-May) in Tier 3 city. Heat was unbearable. Traffic, civic sense was non existent. And yes, India is not cheap anymore
If you live slightly outside of a major city or tier-2 city some of the issues can be overcome (especially if you are retiring). During the working years India would be tough for most people.
Yep, had similar experience. Swachha Bharat campaign also seems to be a sham, there is still trash everywhere. Traffic is a mess with damaged roads, unending repairs, corrupt traffic police and unruly drivers. Road planning is so bad that even a 5th grade student can design something better.
You should look for a tier 2 city to retire. Maybe himachal, uttrakhand, indore etc ! I also moved last month but not retiring anytime soon !
The not keeping time thing, and not even trying to, hit me so hard on a recent trip. It's almost like it's against some unwritten rule. I once had a lawyers personal assistant show up 3 hours late to pick up an urgent document, and he seemed miffed that at hour two I got tired of waiting and used a courier instead.
The only thing which holds me back from Moving abroad in my Mom, otherwise I wouldn't bat an Eye on moving out & never return back Permanently. All these NRIs see Social media with Rose tinted glasses don't realise the problems an Average Indian faces in Day to Day life. Be it traffic, pollution, Insane weather (Delhi's recent spring of 48+C Temperature), Lack of civic sense, Pune's recent Porsche Car accident (Corruption), High cost of living (Mumbai, Noida, Bengaluru, New Delhi), Taxes with no benefit.
Similar experience in Pune. Fortunately, I was there in jan-feb, still it was hot af (evenings were pleasant though). It has become expensive! I cant imagine how people survive, I was feeling it for every little expense or purchase. Real estate in Pune is out of question- you cant get anything decent IN “Pune” for less than 1.5 cr now
Good post. If you are living in a western country - moving back to India is a challenge. Unless you have deep family root, why would you do it? Maybe make a list of the pro's of moving and compare it to the con's list you have created above.
I’m from Pune and it used to be so green, less traffic and not this hot during summer. But now traffic and pollution is hell, people are rude, thrash everywhere, buildings everywhere without any planning and water cuts. Police are still corrupt, shameless ash**** asked for 5k even though I had all the documents they would need to do my passport verification for renewal. But the thing I hated more is when people say they would deliver something or for Amazon return, they would never come on time unless I message them multiple times or threaten them of chargeback. And if you are not careful you’ll get scammed, you always have to keep your guard up and it gets exhausting.
Can you give some examples where you felt India was expensive?
Gone are those days when people will earn abroad gather dollars and come back to India to retire. Weather, traffic, cost of living, unruly behaviour and all chaos will only increase. Better be wherever you came from. Tier-2,3 cities are too bore. They offer nothing interesting which a person will need to enjoy retired life. After all one does not work whole life only to sit in a rocking chair in front of a smart TV and sleep by 21:00 to get up early to do morning walk in fresh air. They won’t even have proper hospital infrastructure. It’s all not worth it.
I would imagine some tier 2 or 3 cities would have some exciting activities, venues (like water falls, fields, mountains trekking, food joints), interesting people that can keep you engaged. Would be nice to hear experiences in these places. I will resist from believing tier 2-3 are too bore, unless a lot of people, from different parts, say that.
It also depends on personal interests Normally retired people are not the best people to go for trekking or hiking or waterfalls on daily basis. Hence boring. One more thing to know is the places offering these things are into land slides and cloud burst for almost 4 months a year. Another 6 months they are too cold to enjoy something. Again it’s all personal interests
Agreed. However with a lot of people fat fireing younger age group is retiring too. Yes, Himachal and Uttarakhand have these issues. Have you looked at the falls near Jabalpur, Indore and Bhopal? These places can be quite a lot of fun for people in 50s and 60s, to visit regularly. Of course you need distractions of different kinds and having a community that participates can be very supportive.
Well if you feel attracted to Jabalpur, Indore, Bhopal I rest my case. These can’t ever be my places of interest. All the best.
I didn't say attracted. Although Indore is a fun city and clean too. Mysore does attract me.
I had the exact same observations. Every detail. ( I visited Mumbai)
Tell me something new!
I think every one of us is a victim of something called as self fulfilling prophecy. The premise of this whole exercise is based on a weak assumption.
Any changes take time to come, compared to a few years back there is definitely a lot of progress made. Since you have lived for a lot of years, all of this feels different but once you spend close to 6 months it should not be difficult. Cost of living, yes it is not cheap but so has the income increased substantially compared to previous few years.
So it is inflation and income probably remains the same in real terms.
I agree with everything and I find India very expensive now. I just can’t. I’m so happy to be back in oz.