MUMBAI — For many Indians living abroad, the dream of “returning to their roots” is a powerful emotional pull. But as one viral Reddit post recently highlighted, the transition from the West back to India can be a jarring wake-up call.
Sharing their journey on the r/returnToIndia subreddit on Thursday, February 12, 2026, a US-citizen of Indian origin described the five years they spent trying to make Mumbai “work.” Despite the allure of family, food, and culture, the individual ultimately decided to return to the United States, urging others to always keep an “exit strategy” in place.
1. The “Romanticized” Return vs. Reality
The Redditor, who had lived in the US for 13 years before moving to Mumbai, admitted they initially romanticized the move.
- The Honeymoon Phase: The first 3 to 6 months felt “amazing,” fueled by the joy of being near parents and having family support for their 3-year-old child.
- The Reality Check: Soon, the challenges of daily life in a Tier-1 Indian city began to overshadow the benefits.
- Cultural Friction: The user faced judgmental social attitudes regarding personal choices, parenting, and even physical appearance (weight and skin color).
- Workplace Gaps: Despite joining a fast-growing tech firm, they found the work ethic, talent quality, and innovation lagging behind the US—specifically noting that India seemed to be “losing the AI race.”
- Quality of Life: Pollution and traffic became health hazards, with their young daughter developing a cough just from playing downstairs.
2. The “Right Shoe” Metaphor
In a particularly resonant exchange, another user asked if having US citizenship (an “easy exit”) made it harder to commit to India. The original poster’s (OP) response has since gone viral:
“It’s like wearing shoes that are too small. You can keep walking and find a way to survive, but it will hurt and limit you. If you have an option to wear the right shoe, you don’t have to try to get used to a life of suffering.”
3. Why an Exit Strategy Matters
The post serves as a cautionary tale for the “Reverse Brain Drain” movement. The OP emphasized that while many NRIs publicly praise their return to India, private conversations often reveal deep-seated regrets.
| Reason for Return to India | The Harsh Reality Faced |
| Family Support | Nosy relatives & lack of personal boundaries |
| Cultural Comfort | Judgmental attitudes & lack of civic sense |
| Career Growth | Stagnant work ethics & toxic hierarchies |
| Domestic Help | Managing staff becomes a “redundant” chore |
4. Social Media Reaction
The post triggered a wave of similar stories from across the globe:
- From Germany: One user admitted they have a “strong urge” to return after having a kid but are now “too scared” to make the move after reading such accounts.
- The Citizenship Factor: Many noted that the “one-way move” is far riskier for those who have not yet secured foreign citizenship or permanent residency, as they cannot easily reverse their decision if the move fails.