Renu was born in West Africa, raised in Hong Kong, lived in Canada for 13 years. In 2007, she moved to India with three kids aged 7, 14, and 18. After 17 years in Pune, she shares why quality of life in India beats being a 'millionaire' abroad.

Renu was born in West Africa, raised in Hong Kong, lived in Canada for 13 years. In 2007, she moved to India with three kids aged 7, 14, and 18. After 17 years in Pune, she shares why quality of life in India beats being a 'millionaire' abroad.

Real Return Story

Is Money Everything? NRI's Guide to Finding Happiness Back in India

Renu was born in West Africa, raised in Hong Kong, lived in Canada for 13 years. In 2007, she moved to Pune with three children aged 7, 14, and 18. After 17 years in India, she shares why quality of life here beats being a "millionaire" abroad.

Published: June 20, 2024 • 18 min read

Real Return Story Canada to India Pune Quality of Life OCI

Key Insights from This Story

17 years in Pune after living internationally her entire life
3 kids at different ages: 7, 14, and 18 when they moved
Quality of life vs being a "millionaire" who mows their own lawn
8 years with mother before she passed in 2015
IB school for kids planning to return to Canada for higher education
OCI + Canadian passport: Lives visa-free, pays taxes in India

Renu's International Background

Renu Sakrani has lived internationally her entire life—she never actually lived in India before moving to Pune in 2007.

Life Journey Timeline

Period	Location	Details
Birth	West Africa	Father was working there
Early 1970s	India	Couple of years
Early 1970s onwards	Hong Kong	Grew up, went to school, got married, had first child
1989	Hong Kong	Tiananmen Square massacre—decided to leave
1994	Canada (Vancouver)	Moved with two young children (5 years and 1.5 years)
1994-2007	Vancouver, Canada	13 years, third child born
2007	Pune, India	Moved with three kids (18, 14, 7)
2007-Present	Pune, India	17 years and counting

Why Leave Hong Kong?

In 1989, Renu watched the Tiananmen Square massacre happen—the same year her first child was born. She was fearful of Hong Kong's political future.

"Being of a minority group—we were Indians living there—I thought if they can do this to their own people, what security did we have?"

She visited the US but didn't like it. Canada felt right. It took 4 years to get the visa because many Hong Kong people were trying to leave due to government insecurity.

Why She Chose India

In 2007, Renu made the decision to leave Canada after 13 years. Her husband at the time had said he would join her in two years when she first moved to Canada—but that didn't happen. She was essentially a single parent.

The Breaking Point

Done with shoveling snow
Done with mowing her own lawn
Done being a parent living out of her car—one child has baseball, one has hockey, one needs French school
Done with washing bathrooms
Wanted a better quality of life

💡 The Realization

Renu visited India every year or two with the kids and saw the changes happening. She realized:

"The quality of life for what we have to pay here in India compared to what you would get in US or Canada was far more affordable for me."

Family Factor

Her father passed away in 1996, leaving her mother alone. Her mother would come spend 6 months each year in Canada. By moving to India, Renu was able to give her mother 8 good years before she passed in 2015.

"I feel really good about this—that I was able to spend quality time with her."

Quality of Life: India vs Abroad

Renu has strong views on what "quality of life" really means—and it's not about being a millionaire on paper.

The "Millionaire" Question

"I have a lot of friends who tell me they're multi-millionaires because they own million-dollar homes in the US. But what is the quality of life they're living? They're mowing their own backyard lawns, shoveling snow, taking out trash, picking up garbage."

Renu's challenge: "If you tell me you're a millionaire, come to India and experience being a millionaire. Have someone do these jobs for you. Enjoy the wealth you've acquired over 20-25-30 years."

Life in the Western World

Lonely—unless you live in a subdivision with many Indians
Help not easily available
If you have an accident, people hesitate to help
Neighbors can be far apart—"even if somebody's dead in your neighbor's house, you won't know"

Life in India

Have an accident? 10 people come to help—offer water, check if you're okay, take you to hospital
Helper comes 2 hours daily
When sick, one phone call and help arrives
During COVID, her helper brought tiffin and left it outside the door
Driver services on demand—going to a party and want to drink? Call a driver, they come, wait, bring you back
Support system—can call someone at 4am and one of three numbers will show up

💰 Financial Reality

7.5% interest on fixed deposits—no country gives that
Her brother argues rupee is devaluing. Her response: "If I'm earning in rupees and spending in rupees, how does it matter? It only bothers me when I buy dollars to visit the US."
Can wire $100,000 to US from India easily—no questions asked
Wiring money FROM US? "You've got to sign 50 pages of paperwork"

How the Kids Adapted

Renu moved with three children at very different ages: 18, 14, and 7. Each had a unique experience.

The Eldest (18 years old)

Joined college in India
Adapted well—drank chai at the canteen, rode an Activa scooty
Some challenges because she didn't speak Hindi well (understood from Bollywood films)
Did couple of years in India, then moved to Canada for Masters in English (2011)
Just blended in

The Middle Child (14 years old) — Greatest Disconnect

Didn't speak Hindi
Was in school with politician sons, lawyer sons—very affluent background
Renu bought a secondhand car; he got out while others got out of Mercedes and BMW
Wanted to return to Canada immediately after graduating
The minute he graduated, he headed back to Canada (as planned—they had educational savings there)

The Youngest (7 years old) — Easiest Adaptation

Her only condition: "If the dog goes, I go"
Spent 7 years in India before transferring to Hong Kong (where her dad was), then back to Canada
Now 24 years old, says she's "from Pune" because her formative years were there
Loves coming back—has good friends she's still in touch with
Says: "Mama, the guys and girls in Pune are so nice. In Canada, I can't find people who would pick me up or drop me home or be concerned if I got home safe."

School Choice: IB Curriculum

Renu chose an IB (International Baccalaureate) school because:

Children wanted to go back to Canada for further studies
Had money in educational savings plan in Canada
Didn't put them in local school—14-year-old wouldn't have adapted without Hindi

Admission: With OCI status, they got in as locals. Paid local fees, got PAN card. No exorbitant fees.

Key Parenting Insight

If you are convinced this is what you want and you are not in a dilemma, everything else falls into place.

If you constantly complain after coming back—"the country is this, it's that"—and identify all shortcomings, your children will follow suit. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Children are very resilient. They bounce back.

Advantages of Living in India

Digitization & Convenience

UPI payments everywhere—from panwala to shopping malls
Buy one cigarette for ₹20? Pay by phone. Panwala says "scan karo"
Get shoe repaired at mochi? Pay by phone
No cash needed for even the simplest transactions
Banking has become incredibly easy

COVID Experience: India's Unity

Renu lived 56 days alone in her apartment during COVID lockdown. Buying groceries was challenging—she opted for online purchasing.

"The delivery person said: 'Madam, please don't send us the money because we're not sure if we can get from one subdivision to another. You only pay after you receive your groceries.'"

When she went down without her phone, the delivery person said: "You go up, take your groceries, and pay us when you're safe in your apartment."

Renu's point: "You cannot go to Costco, Walmart, Kroger, Safeway—buy groceries and leave without paying. Only in India. The whole country came together."

Healthcare Access

Renu contrasts India with other countries:

Canada: Medical system has failed. People with brain tumors on 3-year waiting lists for surgery.
UK: Similar healthcare delays
India: Accessible healthcare when you need it

"You may have money in the bank, but you have to ask yourself—what quality of life do you have?"

Everything is Available

There's nothing that's not available in India if you're willing to pay:

Avocados: ₹500 for four
Imported cherries: Available
Whatever you want—it's here

What India Holds

Humanity
Love
Unity
Compassion
Digitization

Safety as a Single Woman

Renu's Experience

Renu lives in India by herself and has never felt unsafe.

Her mother lived alone in an apartment after her father passed—never felt unsafe
Of course there are pockets and places you wouldn't venture to in every city, every country
But by and large, as a woman living by herself: "Yes, absolutely safe"

Support System

Renu has three phone numbers she can call at 4am—one of the three will show up, no questions asked.

"Everyone asks me 'but you live alone.' I say yes, but I'm not lonely. There's a very big difference between being in a house full of people and still feeling alone, versus being by yourself and still feeling fulfilled."

Real Story: Helping a Stranger

At midnight, Renu picked up a boy who fell off his bike. She was alone but still drove him home. Another Good Samaritan drove his bike to his building.

Result: They've never met since, but he WhatsApps her, asks how she's doing, checked on her during COVID. He says: "Ma'am, I would really like to meet you. I don't forget the good deed."

Renu's point: "These things happen. I can tell you numerous incidents where I realized this was one of the best decisions I made."

Advice for Returning NRIs

Make the Decision with Conviction

If you're wishy-washy and still on the fence, it's not going to help. You have to do this with conviction.

"This is what I want to do. I've made enough money. I would like to now live a comfortable life."

Find a Good Chartered Accountant

For questions about bringing money in, taxation rules, different investment channels—a good CA who handles both local people and NRIs is essential.

Renu found one who sorted out all her queries and has recommended him to many friends.

Explore Investment Options

India has many channels where your money can work for you:

Mutual funds
Shares
Fixed deposits (7.5% interest)
Set up monthly income from interest without touching principal

Don't Expect the Same Salary

You may not get a $200,000 job in India. But consider:

Cost of living is much lower
Quality of life can be much higher
Less stress

For Parents with Children

Give children options: "Finish high school here, and if you want to go back for college, go back."

At least the family is together. You don't live with guilt of not being with your parents for their last years.

⚠️ What NOT to Do

Don't be like people who lived in India their entire lives, go to US for 2-3 years, come back and say "India is a horrible country, US is so much better."

Renu's response: "Then you don't need to come back. Stay in the US and face the consequences of gun violence."

"I always ask people: what do we want at this stage in our life? What are we looking for? And what are we willing to compromise to have this?"

Key Takeaways

Renu's 17-Year Verdict

Best decision she made—no regrets
Quality of life beats being a "millionaire" who does their own chores
8 years with mother before she passed—priceless
Children adapted—even the 14-year-old who struggled most
Support system—never alone, always someone to call
India teaches patience—and rewards it with compassion

"Come to India and experience being a millionaire. Have someone do these jobs for you. Enjoy the wealth you've acquired. Be able to assist other people in India who are more unfortunate than us. If God's been good to you, learn to pay it forward." — Renu Sakrani

Related Resources

Official Resources

NRI Financial Planning: FCNR, RNOR & Tax Guide — Expert advice on managing finances when returning
Best Cities for NRIs Returning to India — Compare Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad and more
How NRI Kids Adapt to Schools in India — IB, CBSE, and curriculum choices
Cost of Living: India vs USA/Canada — Real numbers comparison

Connect with Other Returning NRIs

Join a community of NRIs who have made the move or are planning to. Share experiences, get advice, and find your support system.

Join the Desi Return Community →

Thinking About Moving Back to India?

Get guidance on making the transition, finding the right city, and building your new life in India.

Book a Planning Call →

Join the Community →

Have questions about quality of life in specific cities? Drop them in the comments!

Real Return Story

Is Money Everything? NRI's Guide to Finding Happiness Back in India

Published: June 20, 2024 • 18 min read

Real Return Story Canada to India Pune Quality of Life OCI

Key Insights from This Story

17 years in Pune after living internationally her entire life
3 kids at different ages: 7, 14, and 18 when they moved
Quality of life vs being a "millionaire" who mows their own lawn
8 years with mother before she passed in 2015
IB school for kids planning to return to Canada for higher education
OCI + Canadian passport: Lives visa-free, pays taxes in India

Renu's International Background

Renu Sakrani has lived internationally her entire life—she never actually lived in India before moving to Pune in 2007.

Life Journey Timeline

Period	Location	Details
Birth	West Africa	Father was working there
Early 1970s	India	Couple of years
Early 1970s onwards	Hong Kong	Grew up, went to school, got married, had first child
1989	Hong Kong	Tiananmen Square massacre—decided to leave
1994	Canada (Vancouver)	Moved with two young children (5 years and 1.5 years)
1994-2007	Vancouver, Canada	13 years, third child born
2007	Pune, India	Moved with three kids (18, 14, 7)
2007-Present	Pune, India	17 years and counting

Why Leave Hong Kong?

In 1989, Renu watched the Tiananmen Square massacre happen—the same year her first child was born. She was fearful of Hong Kong's political future.

"Being of a minority group—we were Indians living there—I thought if they can do this to their own people, what security did we have?"

She visited the US but didn't like it. Canada felt right. It took 4 years to get the visa because many Hong Kong people were trying to leave due to government insecurity.

Why She Chose India

The Breaking Point

Done with shoveling snow
Done with mowing her own lawn
Done being a parent living out of her car—one child has baseball, one has hockey, one needs French school
Done with washing bathrooms
Wanted a better quality of life

💡 The Realization

Renu visited India every year or two with the kids and saw the changes happening. She realized:

"The quality of life for what we have to pay here in India compared to what you would get in US or Canada was far more affordable for me."

Family Factor

"I feel really good about this—that I was able to spend quality time with her."

Quality of Life: India vs Abroad

Renu has strong views on what "quality of life" really means—and it's not about being a millionaire on paper.

The "Millionaire" Question

Life in the Western World

Lonely—unless you live in a subdivision with many Indians
Help not easily available
If you have an accident, people hesitate to help
Neighbors can be far apart—"even if somebody's dead in your neighbor's house, you won't know"

Life in India

Have an accident? 10 people come to help—offer water, check if you're okay, take you to hospital
Helper comes 2 hours daily
When sick, one phone call and help arrives
During COVID, her helper brought tiffin and left it outside the door
Driver services on demand—going to a party and want to drink? Call a driver, they come, wait, bring you back
Support system—can call someone at 4am and one of three numbers will show up

💰 Financial Reality

7.5% interest on fixed deposits—no country gives that
Her brother argues rupee is devaluing. Her response: "If I'm earning in rupees and spending in rupees, how does it matter? It only bothers me when I buy dollars to visit the US."
Can wire $100,000 to US from India easily—no questions asked
Wiring money FROM US? "You've got to sign 50 pages of paperwork"

How the Kids Adapted

Renu moved with three children at very different ages: 18, 14, and 7. Each had a unique experience.

The Eldest (18 years old)

Joined college in India
Adapted well—drank chai at the canteen, rode an Activa scooty
Some challenges because she didn't speak Hindi well (understood from Bollywood films)
Did couple of years in India, then moved to Canada for Masters in English (2011)
Just blended in

The Middle Child (14 years old) — Greatest Disconnect

Didn't speak Hindi
Was in school with politician sons, lawyer sons—very affluent background
Renu bought a secondhand car; he got out while others got out of Mercedes and BMW
Wanted to return to Canada immediately after graduating
The minute he graduated, he headed back to Canada (as planned—they had educational savings there)

The Youngest (7 years old) — Easiest Adaptation

Her only condition: "If the dog goes, I go"
Spent 7 years in India before transferring to Hong Kong (where her dad was), then back to Canada
Now 24 years old, says she's "from Pune" because her formative years were there
Loves coming back—has good friends she's still in touch with
Says: "Mama, the guys and girls in Pune are so nice. In Canada, I can't find people who would pick me up or drop me home or be concerned if I got home safe."

School Choice: IB Curriculum

Renu chose an IB (International Baccalaureate) school because:

Children wanted to go back to Canada for further studies
Had money in educational savings plan in Canada
Didn't put them in local school—14-year-old wouldn't have adapted without Hindi

Admission: With OCI status, they got in as locals. Paid local fees, got PAN card. No exorbitant fees.

Key Parenting Insight

If you are convinced this is what you want and you are not in a dilemma, everything else falls into place.

If you constantly complain after coming back—"the country is this, it's that"—and identify all shortcomings, your children will follow suit. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Children are very resilient. They bounce back.

Advantages of Living in India

Digitization & Convenience

UPI payments everywhere—from panwala to shopping malls
Buy one cigarette for ₹20? Pay by phone. Panwala says "scan karo"
Get shoe repaired at mochi? Pay by phone
No cash needed for even the simplest transactions
Banking has become incredibly easy

COVID Experience: India's Unity

Renu lived 56 days alone in her apartment during COVID lockdown. Buying groceries was challenging—she opted for online purchasing.

"The delivery person said: 'Madam, please don't send us the money because we're not sure if we can get from one subdivision to another. You only pay after you receive your groceries.'"

When she went down without her phone, the delivery person said: "You go up, take your groceries, and pay us when you're safe in your apartment."

Renu's point: "You cannot go to Costco, Walmart, Kroger, Safeway—buy groceries and leave without paying. Only in India. The whole country came together."

Healthcare Access

Renu contrasts India with other countries:

Canada: Medical system has failed. People with brain tumors on 3-year waiting lists for surgery.
UK: Similar healthcare delays
India: Accessible healthcare when you need it

"You may have money in the bank, but you have to ask yourself—what quality of life do you have?"

Everything is Available

There's nothing that's not available in India if you're willing to pay:

Avocados: ₹500 for four
Imported cherries: Available
Whatever you want—it's here

What India Holds

Humanity
Love
Unity
Compassion
Digitization

Safety as a Single Woman

Renu's Experience

Renu lives in India by herself and has never felt unsafe.

Her mother lived alone in an apartment after her father passed—never felt unsafe
Of course there are pockets and places you wouldn't venture to in every city, every country
But by and large, as a woman living by herself: "Yes, absolutely safe"

Support System

Renu has three phone numbers she can call at 4am—one of the three will show up, no questions asked.

Real Story: Helping a Stranger

At midnight, Renu picked up a boy who fell off his bike. She was alone but still drove him home. Another Good Samaritan drove his bike to his building.

Result: They've never met since, but he WhatsApps her, asks how she's doing, checked on her during COVID. He says: "Ma'am, I would really like to meet you. I don't forget the good deed."

Renu's point: "These things happen. I can tell you numerous incidents where I realized this was one of the best decisions I made."

Advice for Returning NRIs

Make the Decision with Conviction

If you're wishy-washy and still on the fence, it's not going to help. You have to do this with conviction.

"This is what I want to do. I've made enough money. I would like to now live a comfortable life."

Find a Good Chartered Accountant

For questions about bringing money in, taxation rules, different investment channels—a good CA who handles both local people and NRIs is essential.

Renu found one who sorted out all her queries and has recommended him to many friends.

Explore Investment Options

India has many channels where your money can work for you:

Mutual funds
Shares
Fixed deposits (7.5% interest)
Set up monthly income from interest without touching principal

Don't Expect the Same Salary

You may not get a $200,000 job in India. But consider:

Cost of living is much lower
Quality of life can be much higher
Less stress

For Parents with Children

Give children options: "Finish high school here, and if you want to go back for college, go back."

At least the family is together. You don't live with guilt of not being with your parents for their last years.

⚠️ What NOT to Do

Don't be like people who lived in India their entire lives, go to US for 2-3 years, come back and say "India is a horrible country, US is so much better."

Renu's response: "Then you don't need to come back. Stay in the US and face the consequences of gun violence."

"I always ask people: what do we want at this stage in our life? What are we looking for? And what are we willing to compromise to have this?"

Key Takeaways

Renu's 17-Year Verdict

Best decision she made—no regrets
Quality of life beats being a "millionaire" who does their own chores
8 years with mother before she passed—priceless
Children adapted—even the 14-year-old who struggled most
Support system—never alone, always someone to call
India teaches patience—and rewards it with compassion

Related Resources

Official Resources

NRI Financial Planning: FCNR, RNOR & Tax Guide — Expert advice on managing finances when returning
Best Cities for NRIs Returning to India — Compare Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad and more
How NRI Kids Adapt to Schools in India — IB, CBSE, and curriculum choices
Cost of Living: India vs USA/Canada — Real numbers comparison

Connect with Other Returning NRIs

Join a community of NRIs who have made the move or are planning to. Share experiences, get advice, and find your support system.

Join the Desi Return Community →

Thinking About Moving Back to India?

Get guidance on making the transition, finding the right city, and building your new life in India.

Book a Planning Call →

Join the Community →

Have questions about quality of life in specific cities? Drop them in the comments!

Is Money Everything? NRI's Guide to Finding Happiness Back in India

Key Insights from This Story

Renu's International Background

Life Journey Timeline

Why Leave Hong Kong?

Why She Chose India

The Breaking Point

💡 The Realization

Family Factor

Quality of Life: India vs Abroad

The "Millionaire" Question

Life in the Western World

Life in India

💰 Financial Reality

How the Kids Adapted

The Eldest (18 years old)

The Middle Child (14 years old) — Greatest Disconnect

The Youngest (7 years old) — Easiest Adaptation

School Choice: IB Curriculum

Key Parenting Insight

Advantages of Living in India

Digitization & Convenience

COVID Experience: India's Unity

Healthcare Access

Everything is Available

What India Holds

Safety as a Single Woman

Renu's Experience

Support System

Real Story: Helping a Stranger

Advice for Returning NRIs

Make the Decision with Conviction

Find a Good Chartered Accountant

Explore Investment Options

Don't Expect the Same Salary

For Parents with Children

⚠️ What NOT to Do

Key Takeaways

Renu's 17-Year Verdict

Related Resources

Official Resources

Related Articles

Connect with Other Returning NRIs

Thinking About Moving Back to India?

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Renu decide to move from Canada to India?

How did the children adapt to moving to India at different ages?

What school did the children attend in India?

What are the advantages of living in India according to Renu?

How does Renu handle being a Canadian citizen living in India?

What advice does Renu give to NRIs considering moving back?

What does Renu say about safety in India as a single woman?

How has India changed since Renu moved back in 2007?

Table of Contents

Is Money Everything? NRI's Guide to Finding Happiness Back in India

Key Insights from This Story

Renu's International Background

Life Journey Timeline

Why Leave Hong Kong?

Why She Chose India

The Breaking Point

💡 The Realization

Family Factor

Quality of Life: India vs Abroad

The "Millionaire" Question

Life in the Western World

Life in India

💰 Financial Reality

How the Kids Adapted

The Eldest (18 years old)

The Middle Child (14 years old) — Greatest Disconnect

The Youngest (7 years old) — Easiest Adaptation

School Choice: IB Curriculum

Key Parenting Insight

Advantages of Living in India

Digitization & Convenience

COVID Experience: India's Unity

Healthcare Access

Everything is Available

What India Holds