Back to India with Financial Independence After 17 Years Abroad
Chintan achieved financial independence after 17 years in US manufacturing and supply chain. He shares his 30x rule approach, why he's glad he didn't get his green card, and opportunities for non-IT professionals in India.
Back to India with Financial Independence After 17 Years Abroad
Chintan spent 17 years in US working in manufacturing and supply chain. He achieved financial independence using the 30x rule, and shares why he's glad he didn't get his green card, opportunities for non-IT professionals, and his pragmatic approach to the transition.
Key Highlights from Chintan's Journey
- Production engineering from Mumbai, Masters in Industrial Engineering from Oklahoma
- 17 years in US - manufacturing and supply chain, mostly oil and gas
- Used 30x rule (4% withdrawal rate) to calculate financial independence number
- Three triggers: Father's death in COVID, son's birth, company layoffs during COVID
- Had EB2 green card priority date active - chose NOT to get it
- Living in Mumbai with mom, working full-time by choice (not need)
- Cost of living better than expected - spending less than anticipated
- Key insight: "People who come willingly tend to do better than those forced to return"
On Making the Decision: "Don't worry about if this is the right decision. Make the decision for the right reasons and make it right." — Ratan Tata quote that Chintan lives by
📚 Background: Mumbai to Oklahoma to 17 Years
Chintan is originally from Mumbai, studied production engineering in a suburban college there.
The Path to US
- Motivation: "I wasn't really ready to start working after college. My father had studied in the US as well."
- Education: Masters in Industrial Engineering from University of Oklahoma
- Career: Manufacturing and supply chain, good amount of time in oil and gas
- Duration: "Started working, which was a good experience, and then just kind of forgot to leave"
Life Transitions Over 17 Years
As he grew older and started working, responsibilities changed, resources increased. Eventually got married and had a child. Life transitioned every few years depending on his station in life.
💡 The Three Trigger Points
Chintan identified three specific trigger points that led to his decision.
Trigger 1: Father's Passing
His father passed away during COVID - a significant emotional trigger.
Trigger 2: Son's Birth
His son was born about a year after his father passed away - creating a new perspective on life priorities.
Trigger 3: Corporate America's COVID Response
"During COVID, my company and most American companies - their approach to how they handled taking care of their employees made me feel like that wasn't how I wanted to live my life. Thousands of people were let go, didn't have jobs, didn't have health insurance. I just felt like that wasn't something I wanted to do from a long-term perspective."
The Pulling Factors
Why India?
- Family: Obviously a big pulling factor
- Culture: Being here during festivals, weddings, activities
- Economic opportunity: "I don't think any other part of the world is going to grow as much as India will in the next 15 years"
- Giving back: "Once we got to a point where we hit a financial number, the thought of contributing back to society, to country started coming in"
💰 Financial Planning: The 30x Rule
Chintan and his wife believe in the FI part of FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early).
The Approach
"We started with the 4% rule. I estimated what my spending would be in India once we move back - we have a child who'll go to school and so on. I wanted to be in the 30x plus range for getting a comfort level that this should be fine."
The Framework
| Element | Approach |
|---|---|
| Rule Used | 4% withdrawal rate (30x annual expenses) |
| Estimation | Projected India spending including child's school |
| Target | 30x plus range of annual expenses |
| Boost | Consulting work helped push up net worth "tremendously" |
The RE Part of FIRE
Chintan tried the "Retire Early" part:
His Experience
"When I came back, for the next few months I didn't really do a whole lot. Did some consulting on the side. But eventually got to a point where I was like - I need something to do. So I'm back to working full-time for an old boss in an environment that's fairly easy to handle."
📋 Planning the Move
Step 1: Spouse Alignment
Getting on the Same Page
His wife is also from Mumbai, studied and married in the US (though they met in Mumbai). She was "100% cool with coming back." They joke that she always wanted to marry someone from Mumbai but couldn't find anybody, so she had to marry him and find a guy from outside.
Step 2: Family Conversations
Step 3: Financial Cushion
They knew working and finances aren't the same in India - would be making less money, maybe working different hours. So they wanted a decent cushion.
Step 4: Timeline
The Execution
- Had a date in mind - got pushed a little to the right (common for most folks)
- Once within 9-month window, had a date circled on calendar
- Wife didn't believe it until he booked the tickets
- Last 2-3 months were chaotic - 16-17 years worth of stuff, bank accounts, phone calls
Smart Move: Accounting Firm
Recommendation
"Before I came, I did a bit of checking and found an accounting firm to help answer my questions and help me with the transition on taxes and NRE status and all that stuff. That's been a smart move - even today they help me and answer questions. I would encourage this for sure."
🏭 Non-IT Opportunities in India
As someone in manufacturing and supply chain, Chintan offers valuable insights for non-IT professionals.
The Landscape
"When you're making stuff, doesn't really matter if you're making soap or jet engines - it's about the process, how you run the plant. Manufacturing supply chain in India continues to be a good place to be in."
Why India is Attractive
The China Factor
"Especially since COVID and some of the trade issues being experienced, lots of big companies want a second or third option to China. India is a fairly attractive place to do that."
Regional Opportunities
Where to Look
| Industry | Best Locations |
|---|---|
| Automotive | Pune and Chennai - "super attractive" |
| Castings | Rajkot |
| General Manufacturing | Away from tier-1 expensive cities |
Note: Chintan lives in Mumbai but most of his facilities are not there - it's easier to have facilities away from expensive tier-1 cities.
Job Search Reality
The Challenge
"This part of the process is not as clean in India as it would be in the US. There's not a ready-made network of recruiters. There's not a whole lot of third-party folks you can reach out to. A lot of it is having the right connection or knowing people. Applying to websites works to some extent but doesn't work as cleanly or transparently here."
🗽 Why He's Glad He Didn't Get Green Card
Chintan's immigration story offers a unique perspective.
His Status
- Moved to US in 2007
- Applied for EB2 green card with priority date of December 2012
- During COVID, priority date was active briefly - got EAD and AP approved
- When about to leave, priority date was within 2 months of being active
- Today, it's active - could get green card if he wanted
Key Insight
"I didn't need to come back because of immigration. People like me that come willingly - not forcibly - tend to do better than people that have to come back because they didn't get H1B or whatever. Because it's a chosen decision - there is a strong 'why' you are moving back, and you will be embracing some of the cons because your 'why' is so strong."
🇮🇳 Life in India: One Year Later
Chintan describes himself and his wife as "fairly pragmatic people."
What's Great
- Family - being here for events, when people need help
- Support for child - "He's not growing up just looking at my and my wife's face"
- Festivals and cultural activities
What's Challenging
- Traffic and infrastructure issues
- Bureaucracy
- Small annoyances (like 15-second government messages before every phone call)
Cost of Living
Better Than Expected
Chintan lives where he lived before moving to US - same home, same building, with his mom. He didn't have to buy a new house. "Things are actually decently cheaper than I expected. I feel like I'm a middle-class guy. I don't have expensive tastes. I'd much rather go eat in a local restaurant than a fancy restaurant. If I go have lunch at work, I'm spending typically less than a couple of dollars in a pretty good setting. That's unheard of."
Professional Observations
💡 Advice: Willingly vs Forcibly
The Key Decision
"The key decision is: Are we ready to move and what's the timeline? Once you have made a decision, then the mechanics of the move - the home, the stuff you own, the accounts, the transfer - all that stuff is not the difficult part. The decision for whether you want to come or not is the name of the game. You do that well, get good consensus and good thinking behind it - that makes everything else easier."
Ratan Tata's Wisdom
"Don't worry about if this is the right decision. Make the decision for the right reasons and make it right. If you come for the right reasons, you will be in good shape. If you come for the wrong reasons, then you'll go back and not enjoy it and complain. If that's the case, just stay."
What He'd Do Differently
- Give himself a longer runway - last 2-3 months were chaotic
- In hindsight, got rid of some things he should have brought
- Would plan timing of arrival a bit differently
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How much money do you need to retire in India?
Chintan used the 30x rule - 30 times your estimated annual expenses in India. This is based on the 4% withdrawal rate from FIRE principles. Estimate your India spending (including children's school, lifestyle, etc.) and multiply by 30 for a comfortable cushion.
Are there good opportunities for non-IT professionals in India?
Yes, especially in manufacturing and supply chain. Since COVID, many companies want alternatives to China. Automotive opportunities are strong in Pune and Chennai. The job search is more relationship-based than in the US - networking and connections matter more than applying to websites.
Should I get my green card before moving to India?
Chintan's perspective: He's glad he didn't get it because it would complicate his life with 6-month residency requirements and tax implications. If you're certain about moving to India permanently, the green card may create more complications than benefits.
Is the cost of living in India really high?
Chintan found it "decently cheaper than expected." Key factors: He lives with family (no new house purchase), has middle-class tastes, and lunch at work costs less than a couple of dollars. Your experience will vary based on city, lifestyle choices, and housing situation.
Planning Your Financial Independence Journey?
Chintan's story shows that with the right financial planning and mindset, returning to India can be a fulfilling choice. Connect with others who have navigated similar decisions.
Make the decision for the right reasons - and make it right.
Frequently Asked Questions
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