"I would not at this stage go back to Australia. I do love Australia, but I find that at this age, Chennai works better, India works better." Mr. Kumar's journey spans three decades across three countries. After losing his wife in 2013, his sons suggested he explore India. What started as a few months became 8 years. Here's his practical guide to retiring in India - from tax planning to lifestyle choices.

The Journey: New Zealand to Australia to India

Mr. Kumar's journey began in Bombay's software industry:

"I was working in India in a few companies in Bombay in the software industry. I found I was not going anywhere. My wife Gita has siblings in Australia and New Zealand - that was the impetus. We applied for PR in New Zealand, got it in 93, moved there in 94."

The Move to Australia

"We were in New Zealand for about 4-4.5 years. It was tough initially - new country, new culture, new climate with four distinct seasons. The Kiwi English accent was very different. But we decided to move to Australia - her sisters were there and more opportunities for me. We moved to Brisbane and settled down quite fast."

The Original Plan

After their sons got married in 2012, they planned to split time:

"We were thinking maybe spend more time in India - 6 months in India, 6 months there. With that in mind, we invested in an apartment in Kimberto. Unfortunately, fate thought differently - she died in 2013."

Finding a New Life

"I was living alone in a huge house, struggling to maintain it, cooking my own food. My son suggested: 'How about you explore spending some time in India? You've got people there, you can travel around, you know the place.' I came to India in 2017. My sisters were in Chennai. I had passion for Carnatic music from my wife who was a Veena artist. I was pleasantly surprised - there were concerts happening almost every day. A few months became a couple of years and I was happy in Chennai."

Financial Planning: Australian Tax & Super

Australia has unique tax rules that Mr. Kumar spent years understanding:

"Australia is quite different from USA. You can be a citizen of Australia but not a resident for tax purpose. If you're a resident for tax purpose, you have to declare worldwide income. The residency status is quite difficult to work out - it's complicated."

The Research Process

"My two years during COVID - I did lot of research. I used to do my own flowcharts: if this happens, if that happens, 183 days and this thing and that thing. Finally I got it fine-tuned for my requirement. Being a retiree helped a lot."

Zero Tax Strategy

"I was able to manage my finances in Australia such that my tax there would be almost zero. Any returns on super would be zero, any tax on dividends would be zero. I repackaged my investments to zeroize my tax in Australia even after renouncing my tax residency status. This means I was paying tax in only one country - India."

Age Pension vs Super

"There is a DTAA that specifically mentions the pension you get because of age is not taxed in India. But the pension from your superannuation returns - the minimum 5% you must withdraw from your super - that will be taxed in India. I wasn't eligible for age pension because my savings threshold was too high. Whatever I withdraw, I bring from Australia and pay tax on that. I don't have a problem paying tax because I'm enjoying the system here."

Lifestyle: Gated Community vs Retirement Community

Mr. Kumar evaluated both options:

"I visited a few retirement communities and spent couple of days in one in Chennai. Life becomes monotonous after some time. The most depressing part is you find lot of elderly people living alone in their 70s-80s, going on wheelchairs, people expiring every week. I said I'm not at that stage yet - I'm fit, I walk, I'm fairly healthy at 70. That life is not for me."

The Gated Community Choice

"My sons came to the rescue - said look for a gated community where you can meet people, get down from your apartment and meet 10 people around your age group. I found this place with about 1,500 apartments - very cosmopolitan, lot of NRIs from USA and London. I use swimming pool, gym, got a cook who comes and cooks for me. The lifestyle is fantastic. I would not at this stage go back to Australia."

When Retirement Community Makes Sense

"If you have a medical issue, then maybe think in that direction - you've got a nurse to look after you, someone 24/7. But for me, gated community works better because I can walk around, I'm independent, I live alone."

Challenges: What to Expect

"India is paradise as long as you ignore the surroundings."

Infrastructure Issues

• Lot of pollution when you go out
• Can't walk in streets - footpaths non-existent or encroached
• Driving is nightmare with potholes everywhere
• Corruption

Social Challenges

"One of the toughest things I found was the interference by people. You strike a conversation, casually mention something, and they start advising you - 'no no you should not do this, you should do this.' That's quite rampant in India. Also the WhatsApp university."

Emotional Impact

"Extreme poverty affects you because you don't have that overseas. You tend to help people, people ask you for money. I do that to maximum extent but you can't go on helping everyone."

Daily Life

"Very stressful initially. Everything takes time to get done. Servants are not 100% reliable - but when they come, they work hard. You have to be very patient dealing with call centers, banks, going to shops. In a mall, they come after you with a bag asking what you want. You have to adjust, accommodate, compromise."

Positives: Why India Works

"That doesn't mean India is bad. I found a lot of positives."

Social Connection

"You get to meet people - get down from your house, walk around, meet 10 people. They may be vendors, traders, but you get to talk to them, know their life, see how they cope. I didn't have that luxury in Australia. For me that is a huge thing."

Technology & Convenience

"Internet connectivity is excellent - 5G phones. Apps for everything. Around that time, Ola and Uber revolution came about. It was easy to buy things and move around - no issue about bus or train. You can book a cab and move. Life was getting very comfortable."

Following Passion

"I had passion for Carnatic music from my wife who was a Veena artist. Chennai's Mylapore area is known for Carnatic music and South Indian culture. I was pleasantly surprised - there were concerts happening almost every day. I was able to go for a concert almost every day."

Senior Citizen Advantage

"Being a senior citizen, my requirements were less compared to those in their 40s with kids and struggling with career. Their requirements are much different. I was able to easily adjust."

Advice for Retirees

"Do your homework thoroughly. Don't assume India is hunky dory and everything is fantastic. India is still developing with lots of issues. Understand those issues and see if you can work around them or still be happy with them."

Financial Planning

"Look after your financial issues because taxation can kill you. Make sure you know the repercussions of moving in terms of tax implications."

Test Before Committing

"Come to India, spend a few months, travel around. Try to live as if you're living in India - Airbnb or apartment - get the taste of it. Then you can say 'this is a problem, this is not for me, I'm going back.'"

City Selection

"Evaluate pros and cons of different cities. Bangalore is fantastic weather-wise but has other issues. Bombay is very expensive. Chennai is very hot. Your parents may be living in Noida so you might want to be near them. All these have to be considered."

The Biggest Mistake

"Assuming they can replicate their lifestyle in India from where they come from - not possible. Unless you go to a place like NRI township in Bangalore where everything is like USA. You can't just own a car and drive around - traffic is very bad. Things are difficult."