Why We Moved Back to INDIA After 15 Years of H1B Uncertainty in US
Anup (data science) and Akshaya (product analytics) moved to Bangalore after 15 years in US. They share their journey through H1B uncertainty, why they chose CBSE curriculum, career transitions including freelancing, and real insights on life in India.
AAvinash Peddi
October 10, 2025Oct 10, 202516 minShare:
Real Return Stories • Last updated: ${getCurrentDate()}
Why We Moved Back to INDIA After 15 Years of H1B Uncertainty in US
Anup (data science/engineering) and Akshaya (product analytics) moved to Bangalore after 15 years in the US. They share their journey through H1B uncertainty, career transitions, school selection, and real insights on life in India.
Key Highlights
- Anup: Went to US in 2010 for Masters (electrical engineering), pivoted to data science
- Akshaya: Masters in quantitative finance, worked in product analytics
- Both were on H1B with no Green Card in sight for 15-20 years
- Son was 6 (starting first grade) - right time for kids to adjust
- Chose Bangalore suburb for best of both worlds - small town feel, city accessible
- Anup: Freelancing in data science; Akshaya: Remote full-time job
- Chose progressive CBSE school within 2km of home
- Key insight: Work-life balance concerns are overhyped - many good companies exist
🔒 The H1B Uncertainty
"There was no scope for Green Card for next 15-20 years. That's a longer time and it just adds on to your daily pressure. You have to hold on to your job, thinking about investments - do you invest here or settle there? That pressure was not worth it for us."
H1B Constraints They Faced
- Both spouses working made life even more constrained
- Couldn't take career risks or explore opportunities
- Always had to play safe
- Layoff meant scrambling for any job within time limit
- No time to explore - like musical chairs, grab nearest seat
Anup notes: "Even if you're not affected at all, the uncertainty takes a toll. It boils down to how much you can tolerate this uncertainty."
📋 Planning Process
Timeline
- 5-6 years ago: Started thinking seriously when son was born
- First 2 years: Dinner table conversations - pros/cons, what they'd miss/gain
- 3-4 years before: Zeroed in on city (Bangalore) and property
- 1.5 years before: Decided on school
- Last year: Logistics - selling US property, vehicle, shipping, resignations
Why Bangalore?
Parents close by, job opportunities, weather, and they already had property. Chose a suburb for "best of both worlds" - small town feel but city accessible if needed for work.
🏫 School Selection: Why CBSE?
Their Reasoning
- IB/IGCSE reality: Depends heavily on teacher quality - if teachers use traditional methods, IB philosophy doesn't reach kids
- Cost: Top IB schools have very high fees
- Deal breaker: School must be within 2km of home
- Choice: Progressive CBSE school with play-based learning, no high pressure in primary grades
- Diversity: Kids from all backgrounds, reasonable fees
"Son only spends 5 minutes traveling to school. He could walk if he misses the bus."
💼 Career Transitions
Anup: Freelancing
Freelancing Tips
- Hot skills: Data analytics, data engineering, software are in demand
- Platforms: Toptal, Upwork, Fiverr
- Strategy: Aggressive marketing, offer initial discounts, provide work samples
- Why freelancing: More freedom, can take time off, reimagine career
Akshaya: Full-Time Remote
Found job within 2 months using job portals (Naukri, Instahire) and referrals. Key insight: "Job hunting in India was easier than all three times I hunted in US. Online applications work better here than in US."
Work-Life Balance Reality
"The question about work-life balance always came up from friends. But that's not the case always - it's changing. You can pick and choose. Product-based companies offer good balance."
🇮🇳 Life in India
What They Love
- Sense of belonging: "The moment we stepped in, you're in your home country"
- No visa pressure: "Nobody's going to kick you out"
- Services: Blinkit, Zepto, house help
- Kids' social life: Better than US - easier to make friends
- Family accessibility: Parents close by
What They Miss
- National parks and natural surroundings (though India has plenty too)
- Hopping into car for Starbucks without hassle (but India has chai!)
- Shopping experience - Target/Costco convenience (malls are day events here)
💡 Advice
Key Recommendations
- Right expectations: India is not US - be "Roman in Rome"
- Visit first: Spend a month to get feel of life
- RNOR window: Time your move for tax benefits on investments
- Traffic: Overhyped if you plan housing near work/school
- Job market: Competitive but people here are bright - don't underestimate
Planning Your Return?
Anup and Akshaya's story shows that with proper planning, the H1B uncertainty can be traded for freedom and belonging in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
A:
Multiple factors: 1) H1B visa uncertainty - no scope for Green Card for next 15-20 years added daily pressure, 2) Both spouses working made life more constrained, 3) Aging parents, 4) More career freedom in India without visa constraints, 5) Wanted kids to adjust while young (son was 6, starting first grade), 6) Sense of belonging - always felt 'neither here nor there' in US.
A:
They did extensive research but chose CBSE because: 1) Good IB/IGCSE schools depend heavily on teacher quality - if teachers use 'chalk and talk' method, IB philosophy doesn't reach kids, 2) Top IB schools have very high fees, 3) They wanted a progressive CBSE school with play-based learning and no high pressure in primary grades, 4) School had to be within 2km of home (deal breaker), 5) Kids from all backgrounds attend, creating diverse environment.
A:
Anup took to freelancing in data science/engineering for more freedom - aggressive marketing on platforms like Toptal, Upwork, Fiverr. Akshaya found full-time remote job in product analytics within 2 months using job portals (Naukri, Instahire) and referrals. Both took intentional breaks first (Anup 3 months, Akshaya 6 months). Key insight: Job hunting in India was easier than US, and work-life balance concerns were overhyped - many companies offer good balance.
A:
Key strategy: Utilize the RNOR (Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident) window where stocks and mutual fund profits aren't taxed in either country. They kept most funds in US, consolidated accounts with Fidelity, maintained one US bank account. Advice: Time your move to have a significant window for this tax benefit. They also bought property in Bangalore before moving.
A:
1) Have right expectations - India is not US, be 'Roman in Rome', 2) Job market is competitive but evolving - product-based companies offer good work-life balance, 3) Don't expect 100% of US work-life balance but it's changing, 4) Referrals help but online applications work better in India than US, 5) For freelancing: have hot skills (data analytics, engineering), market aggressively, offer initial discounts to build reputation, 6) Traffic concerns are overhyped if you plan housing near work/school.
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