1️⃣ Global Career — 18 Years Across Asia and North America
"When I left India in 2007, I told myself it was just for six months. That turned into 18 years."
Himanshu began his career in India's banking technology sector before moving to Singapore to work with Oracle Financial Services, serving clients like Citibank Japan. Over the next decade, he built a cross-border career in financial technology, helping national banks implement digital and risk management systems.
- Countries worked in: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand.
- Later roles: Business & strategy consulting for major financial institutions.
- Final stop: Two years in Canada, managing FinTech projects remotely during the post-COVID hybrid work era.
"I became a permanent resident in both Singapore and Canada — but never felt settled in either."
2️⃣ Why Leave Singapore — The Hidden Cost of Stability
"Singapore is perfect — until you try to live there long-term."
He loved the order, safety, and professionalism of Singapore, but the cost of living and immigration restrictions made long-term life unsustainable.
- High costs: Even small apartments cost over $1 million (private condos), while landed houses start at $10–15 million.
- Residency restrictions: Non-residents face barriers to property ownership and public school access.
- Family challenges: His wife, a licensed architect, couldn't secure permanent residency.
"You can't buy a home, you pay four times school fees, and yet you're told you're lucky to be there. That's not stability."
According to Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority, property prices for non-residents remain significantly higher due to additional buyer's stamp duty and ownership restrictions.
3️⃣ The Move to Canada — Expectation vs Reality
"Canada markets itself brilliantly. But living there was a different story."
After years in Singapore, Himanshu and his wife applied for Canadian permanent residency through Express Entry, seeking long-term settlement. But what awaited them was an economy burdened by high inflation, unaffordable housing, and job scarcity.
Major issues he faced:
- Housing crisis: Average home prices in Toronto & Vancouver exceed $1.3 million CAD, while most families qualify for loans under $500,000.
- Weather extremes: "You live indoors for nine months a year — that alone drains you."
- Healthcare bottlenecks: "It's free, yes. But you wait months for a specialist."
- Weak infrastructure: "Bus stops without enclosures, subways without heating — the basics aren't there."
"It's a country that runs on perception, not performance. The infrastructure just doesn't match the promise."
The Government of Canada's Express Entry program attracts thousands of skilled workers annually, but many face unexpected challenges with housing affordability and job market saturation.
If you're considering a similar move, learn about strategic tax planning for NRIs before returning to India to optimize your financial transition and avoid costly mistakes.
4️⃣ The Emotional Shift — From Frustration to Clarity
"We realized we were chasing comfort, not happiness."
While both enjoyed professional success, life abroad felt transactional — a cycle of bills, snow, and isolation. Himanshu recalls his turning point:
"My wife asked, 'Why are we accepting another country's problems? Let's accept our own.' That was it."
They chose to return to India for mental peace, family proximity, and a sense of contribution.
"If we have to work hard anyway, why not do it where our efforts matter?"
5️⃣ Planning the Return — One Year of Transition
"We didn't rush. We planned for 12 months, step by step."
- Location: Moved to Gurugram, near Delhi NCR — close to family and corporate clients.
- Career: Seamless internal transition with his FinTech employer.
- Logistics: Sold all furniture on Facebook Marketplace, carried only essentials via airline baggage.
- Kids: Aged six and four — transitioned smoothly from Toronto's public school to a private CBSE school in India.
"We didn't use international movers. We carried what mattered — memories and peace of mind."
Planning your own return? Discover the best cities in India for returning NRIs based on career opportunities, quality of life, and family considerations.
6️⃣ Life in India — "Relief, Not Regression"
"We felt an immediate release of stress when the plane landed."
Returning to India felt like exhaling after years of holding breath.
- Financial relief: "Every dollar saved abroad stretches tenfold here."
- Social comfort: Surrounded by family and friends again.
- Children's growth: Culturally grounded, emotionally secure, thriving in Indian schooling.
- Work-life balance: Retained remote consulting role, with future plans to expand a FinTech office in India.
"You can't quantify peace. We stopped comparing and started living."
Concerned about maintaining your career momentum? Learn how to secure jobs in India before returning from abroad to ensure a smooth professional transition.
7️⃣ His Honest Comparison — India vs the West
| Factor | Canada | Singapore | India |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | Unaffordable (avg. $1.3M+) | $1M+ condos | Varied, achievable |
| Weather | Harsh, long winters | Tropical, humid | Seasonal, livable |
| Healthcare | Free but slow | Expensive but efficient | Affordable, accessible |
| Immigration | Restrictive, slow | Tight PR policies | Home country |
| Cost of Living | High | Very high | Balanced |
| Community | Disconnected | Professional | Deeply personal |
"In the West, you live efficiently. In India, you live fully."
8️⃣ Advice for Future Returnees
"Keep one eye closed — accept imperfections, and focus on progress."
Himanshu's advice to others considering a move back:
- Prioritize mental peace over material perfection.
- Stop chasing passports — build roots.
- Plan practically: housing, schooling, finances.
- Use your global experience to uplift India.
- Accept chaos with compassion — it's part of the beauty.
"Don't expect India to be flawless. Expect it to be alive — and you'll fit right in."
9️⃣ The Big Reflection — Choosing India, Not Escaping the West
"No country is perfect. But India is ours."
He concludes that India, with all its imperfections, offers emotional, financial, and social fulfillment unmatched elsewhere.
"We lived through efficiency abroad but found belonging only here. India isn't where life slows down — it's where life starts to mean something again."
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do NRIs return to India after living abroad?
A: NRIs return to India for multiple reasons including family proximity, mental peace, cultural belonging, and financial advantages. As Himanshu explains: "We realized we were chasing comfort, not happiness. My wife asked, Why are we accepting another country's problems? Let's accept our own. That was it."
Many returnees find that despite professional success abroad, life feels transactional — a cycle of bills and isolation. India offers emotional, financial, and social fulfillment that's hard to find elsewhere, especially when you factor in the ability to be close to aging parents, raise children in their cultural roots, and contribute meaningfully to your home country's growth.
Q: What are the main challenges of living in Canada for immigrants?
A: The main challenges include severe housing affordability crisis with average home prices in Toronto and Vancouver exceeding $1.3 million CAD while most families qualify for loans under $500,000, extreme weather conditions requiring indoor living for nine months annually, healthcare bottlenecks with months-long wait times for specialists despite free coverage, and weak infrastructure including bus stops without enclosures and subways without heating.
As Himanshu observed: "It's a country that runs on perception, not performance. The infrastructure just doesn't match the promise." Additionally, high inflation, job market saturation in certain sectors, and the psychological toll of isolation contribute to dissatisfaction among many skilled immigrants.
Q: How much does it cost to live in Singapore as a foreigner?
A: Living in Singapore as a foreigner is extremely expensive, particularly for housing. Even small private condominiums cost over $1 million USD, while landed houses start at $10-15 million. Non-residents face additional barriers including higher stamp duties and ownership restrictions.
As Himanshu experienced: "You can't buy a home, you pay four times school fees, and yet you're told you're lucky to be there. That's not stability." Beyond housing, school fees for international students are 3-4 times higher than for citizens, healthcare is expensive though efficient, and daily living costs including food, transportation, and entertainment are significantly higher than most countries.
Q: How do you plan a return to India from abroad?
A: Planning a return to India requires a structured 12-month transition covering multiple areas. As Himanshu advises: "We didn't rush. We planned for 12 months, step by step."
Key planning steps include: choosing your location based on family proximity and career opportunities (Himanshu chose Gurugram near Delhi NCR for corporate clients), securing career continuity through internal transfers or remote work arrangements, planning children's education transition from international to Indian schools (CBSE, ICSE, or IB), managing logistics by selling furniture locally and carrying only essentials, and financial planning including tax optimization, bank account transitions, and investment strategies.
Q: Is permanent residency in Singapore worth it?
A: Permanent residency in Singapore comes with significant limitations that make long-term settlement challenging for many. As Himanshu discovered: "I became a permanent resident in both Singapore and Canada — but never felt settled in either."
Key challenges include property ownership restrictions with non-residents facing barriers and higher costs, limited access to public schools with international school fees being 3-4 times higher, difficulties in sponsoring family members for residency, and the perpetual feeling of being an outsider despite legal status. While Singapore offers excellent infrastructure, safety, and professional opportunities, the high cost of living combined with residency restrictions means that for many families, the PR status doesn't provide the stability and belonging they seek.
Q: What is the cost of living comparison between Canada and India?
A: The cost of living in Canada is significantly higher than India across all major categories. Housing in Toronto and Vancouver averages $1.3 million CAD compared to varied but achievable options in Indian metros. As Himanshu experienced: "Every dollar saved abroad stretches tenfold here."
Healthcare in Canada is free but slow with months-long specialist wait times, while India offers affordable and accessible private healthcare. Daily expenses including groceries, transportation, dining, and entertainment cost 3-4 times more in Canada. The financial relief of returning is substantial — savings accumulated abroad provide significantly better purchasing power and quality of life in India.
Q: How do children adapt when returning to India from abroad?
A: Children generally adapt well when returning to India, especially with proper planning and support. Himanshu's experience shows this clearly: "Kids aged six and four — transitioned smoothly from Toronto's public school to a private CBSE school in India."
Key factors for successful adaptation include choosing the right school system (CBSE, ICSE, or IB based on the child's background), maintaining stability through family support and familiar routines, providing cultural context and positive framing of the move, and allowing time for adjustment to new social circles and educational expectations. The benefits include cultural grounding, stronger extended family bonds, and emotional security.
Q: What are the immigration challenges in Singapore for foreigners?
A: Singapore has tight immigration policies that create significant challenges for foreigners seeking long-term settlement. As Himanshu experienced, his wife, a licensed architect, couldn't secure permanent residency despite his own PR status.
Key challenges include highly selective PR approval with no guaranteed pathway even for skilled professionals, difficulty in sponsoring spouses and family members, property ownership restrictions with additional buyer's stamp duty for non-residents, limited access to public services including schools and healthcare subsidies, and employment pass renewals that depend on company sponsorship. These restrictions, combined with high costs, make Singapore challenging for families planning long-term settlement.
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✍️ Editorial Summary
Himanshu's story is a grounded reminder that global exposure refines perspective — not destination. After 18 years of high-flying work across continents, he returned not out of disillusionment, but direction. His journey reveals a universal truth: success abroad may buy comfort, but home gives you peace.
"I didn't return because the West failed me — I returned because India welcomed me."