One of the readers asked this question, which made me to write after a long time. Those comments indeed help to spend some time again on the blog :-)
Anyway, looking back in 2016 - not many things have changed from my perspective. On the +ve side, I still feel this was the right decision to move back and stay here. On the -ve side, you see progress in India but at a very slow pace, which doesn't give a good feeling about doing a permanent R2I. In places like Bangalore, you can see lakes are dying, pollution/traffic is increasing, roads are getting worse, trash everywhere and you don't see not much happening from the government side - they are still debating about expensive watches! Unfortunately, these are the things on which you don't have much control, as I had mentioned in one of the previous posts.
Hence, as I mentioned in one of the earlier posts, don't burn the bridges - do R2I once you have the option of returning if R2I doesn't suit you or some factors change in India. But, at the same time, don't take the approach of keeping legs in 2 boats during R2I - I have seen many R2I case failing and people returning in a year or so.
About the first point - multiple factors here. One thing you need to consider is whether you are doing R2I permanently or have thoughts of getting back after few years once kids have grown up. I personally think giving a change for kids to go back outside of India is a good thing - they need to see and learn in the education system outside India. (by the way, whoever said Indian education system is the best is totally wrong, IMO, at least as compared to US system. That is a topic by itself). If have concrete idea of staying here and kids settling down in India, you are normally ok since you will have enough funds to take care of yourself and kids. However, if you with the second option, you need to consider your funding needs - kids UG/Graduate education is US is a costly affair and note that you are not earning in $$ anymore in India!.
Also, if you are thinking of going back when kids are out of India, consider the funding needs for yourself. If you return late, you need to consider the scenario that you may not be able to earn anymore. Best option is to do a spreadsheet - your $$ savings, your Indian earnings/savings over however years you are going to stay here, your Indian needs, your $ needs if you go back (including kids education, home etc). You will get a fair idea on whether you can comfortably return if you want, after few years.
Coming to current feelings about R2I, most of the things remain same as earlier on the personal side - being close to the family is a great feeling (feel happy that I can do a quick travel and meet them, without months of prep), whether is just great - you can walk outside anytime without worrying about whether, kids are doing great in school and love the school etc. However, the things you can't do much about like roads, lack of good parks, pollution, driving in the city are still a pain. Don't expect a great work environment since Indian work culture is still improving (and politics, which is not surprising, since we are born politicians!).
Another key thing is work flexibility - if your workplace demands a strict schedule, that can be troublesome. Commute can be long in the peak hours with no predictability. Hence, adhering to a strict work schedule can cause lots of pressure.
Also to consider - the education options in India. This is something you should have good understanding of, before you move. That is also a topic by itself - if I see some interest in that area, will do a new post.
About 'keeping legs in 2 boats' I mentioned earlier - these are things like one person moving back here with kids, having all attachments active back there so that you can return at any time etc. It takes time to get used to India again with the pain points I mentioned earlier. If it is easy to go back, you will pick that option too early, without giving enough time for R2I to work out. I have seen many of these cases.
One thing for sure - we spent already close to 5 years already after R2I. That really went fast !!!
Hope this post helps many ...
Anyway, looking back in 2016 - not many things have changed from my perspective. On the +ve side, I still feel this was the right decision to move back and stay here. On the -ve side, you see progress in India but at a very slow pace, which doesn't give a good feeling about doing a permanent R2I. In places like Bangalore, you can see lakes are dying, pollution/traffic is increasing, roads are getting worse, trash everywhere and you don't see not much happening from the government side - they are still debating about expensive watches! Unfortunately, these are the things on which you don't have much control, as I had mentioned in one of the previous posts.
Hence, as I mentioned in one of the earlier posts, don't burn the bridges - do R2I once you have the option of returning if R2I doesn't suit you or some factors change in India. But, at the same time, don't take the approach of keeping legs in 2 boats during R2I - I have seen many R2I case failing and people returning in a year or so.
About the first point - multiple factors here. One thing you need to consider is whether you are doing R2I permanently or have thoughts of getting back after few years once kids have grown up. I personally think giving a change for kids to go back outside of India is a good thing - they need to see and learn in the education system outside India. (by the way, whoever said Indian education system is the best is totally wrong, IMO, at least as compared to US system. That is a topic by itself). If have concrete idea of staying here and kids settling down in India, you are normally ok since you will have enough funds to take care of yourself and kids. However, if you with the second option, you need to consider your funding needs - kids UG/Graduate education is US is a costly affair and note that you are not earning in $$ anymore in India!.
Also, if you are thinking of going back when kids are out of India, consider the funding needs for yourself. If you return late, you need to consider the scenario that you may not be able to earn anymore. Best option is to do a spreadsheet - your $$ savings, your Indian earnings/savings over however years you are going to stay here, your Indian needs, your $ needs if you go back (including kids education, home etc). You will get a fair idea on whether you can comfortably return if you want, after few years.
Coming to current feelings about R2I, most of the things remain same as earlier on the personal side - being close to the family is a great feeling (feel happy that I can do a quick travel and meet them, without months of prep), whether is just great - you can walk outside anytime without worrying about whether, kids are doing great in school and love the school etc. However, the things you can't do much about like roads, lack of good parks, pollution, driving in the city are still a pain. Don't expect a great work environment since Indian work culture is still improving (and politics, which is not surprising, since we are born politicians!).
Another key thing is work flexibility - if your workplace demands a strict schedule, that can be troublesome. Commute can be long in the peak hours with no predictability. Hence, adhering to a strict work schedule can cause lots of pressure.
Also to consider - the education options in India. This is something you should have good understanding of, before you move. That is also a topic by itself - if I see some interest in that area, will do a new post.
About 'keeping legs in 2 boats' I mentioned earlier - these are things like one person moving back here with kids, having all attachments active back there so that you can return at any time etc. It takes time to get used to India again with the pain points I mentioned earlier. If it is easy to go back, you will pick that option too early, without giving enough time for R2I to work out. I have seen many of these cases.
One thing for sure - we spent already close to 5 years already after R2I. That really went fast !!!
