Left Canada Before It Got Worse: Santosh's Financial Planning & Housing Insights
Santosh predicted Canada's housing and healthcare crisis 5 years ago. Now living in India, he shares financial planning for 3 scenarios (equity, underwater, break-even), real monthly expenses (₹1 lakh for family), and why CAD vs INR depreciation argument is flawed.
AAvinash Peddi
August 21, 2025Aug 21, 202512 minShare:
Financial Planning • Last Updated: November 30, 2025
Left Canada Before It Got Worse: Santosh's Financial Planning & Housing Insights
Santosh predicted Canada's crisis 5 years ago. Now in India, he shares financial planning for different scenarios and debunks the CAD vs INR myth.
What Santosh Predicted 5 Years Ago
- Housing crash: "45% GDP on housing is complete BS"
- Healthcare crisis: "Last hospital built in 1950, population 20K→180K"
- Immigration unsustainable: Mass immigration without infrastructure
- Trudeau government fall: "This will bring down the government badly"
"People were laughing at me 5 years ago. Now everyone knows—someone from their society or relative is already in stress."
3 Financial Scenarios for Canadians
Scenario 1: Have Equity
Bought for $1M, now worth $1.4-1.5M, put 20% down, paid some mortgage:
- Have ~$600-700K equity
- Transfer via Remitly—good rates
- Split: 1-2 Cr in FD, rest in stock market/SIP
Scenario 2: Underwater
Bought for $1M, now worth $800K:
- Transaction costs: ~$100K (land transfer tax $32-35K, mortgage break fee $15-50K, real estate fees $50K)
- Options: Wait it out, come up with $100K to close, or hand over keys and leave
- "Sit and pray—if you're broken and can't take more, hand over keys and run"
Scenario 3: Break-Even
Can exit cleanly—decide based on job stability, health, India plans.
CAD vs INR Myth Debunked
"CAD was ₹63 in 2009, still around same. You get 3% in Canadian GIC vs 8% in Indian FD. Even if CAD becomes ₹73 (15% appreciation), the 8% yield in India still beats Canada. Do the math."
Monthly Expenses in India
₹1 Lakh Budget (No Mortgage)
- Car EMI: ₹20K (10 lakh car)
- Groceries: ₹20K (everything included)
- Rent: ₹30K (decent 2-3BHK)
- Remaining: Utilities, health, travel
"Ashirwad atta is same for Ambani as for you—₹400. Grocery cost doesn't change much with income."
Key Advice
- Run your own numbers—don't get influenced by videos
- Use ChatGPT to calculate scenarios
- Have a stable job plan for India
- Don't compare—India and Canada are different
Planning Your Canada to India Move?
Frequently Asked Questions
A:
Santosh outlines 3 scenarios: '1) Have equity (bought early, house worth more)—transfer via Remitly, split between FD and investments. 2) Underwater (bought at peak, house worth less)—either wait it out, come up with $100K to close, or hand over keys and leave. 3) Break-even—can exit cleanly.' Transaction costs: ~$100K for million-dollar house (land transfer tax, mortgage break fee, real estate fees).
A:
Santosh's breakdown: '₹1 lakh minimum for two people (no rent/mortgage): Car EMI ₹20K, groceries ₹20K, rent ₹30K (decent 2-3BHK), remaining for utilities, health, travel.' He adds: 'With ₹2-4 lakh income, can live lavish life including Fortuner.' This is for comfortable middle-class lifestyle in tier-1 cities.
A:
Santosh debunks the CAD appreciation myth: 'CAD was ₹63 in 2009, still around same. You get 3% in Canadian GIC vs 8% in Indian FD. Even if CAD becomes ₹73 (15% appreciation), the 8% yield in India still beats Canada returns. Do the math—use ChatGPT if needed.' He recommends: 'Split: 1-2 Cr in FD, rest in stock market/SIP.'
A:
Santosh's advice for underwater mortgages: 'Either wait it out (if you can afford payments), come up with $100K to close the gap, or hand over keys and leave.' He warns: 'People who bought at peak are stuck. Transaction costs ~$100K for million-dollar house.' Some are choosing to walk away rather than stay trapped in negative equity.
A:
Santosh predicted this 5 years ago: '45% GDP on housing is complete BS. Last hospital built in 1950, population 20K→180K. Mass immigration without infrastructure.' He says: 'People were laughing at me 5 years ago. Now everyone knows—someone from their society or relative is already in stress. This will bring down the government badly.'
A:
Santosh recommends: 'Transfer via Remitly—good rates.' For large amounts from house sale: 'Split between FD (1-2 Cr for safety) and stock market/SIP for growth.' He emphasizes doing the math on CAD vs INR returns rather than assuming CAD will appreciate significantly.
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