R2I to Bangalore June 2025

[digitalnomadrn]

Hello folks,

We are planning to move back to Bangalore during 2025 summer after 24 years stay in US. We are US citizens and empty nesters at 50. I do not intend to work but want to manage my US investment portfolio from India, Invest in Indian market. Just intend to travel as much as possible with Bangalore as base and visit US to see our son for few months a year.

I would love to connect with anyone who is a US citizen and have moved to India recently. Need some help in understanding US and India taxes, managing US investment portfolio and India investment opportunities.

We are also exploring Mysore as our base to build a dream home ( We have an apartment in Bangalore) and live both in Bangalore/Mysore. Mysore is less polluted and populated so the idea of tier 2 city is quite enticing.

If you are an empty nesters like us and are planning to move to Bangalore / already moved, hit us up. Would love to make friends who are in the same boat.

DN

[Returning_Indian]

While not in Bangalore but I live in Gurgaon. I would not shift to tier 2 initially. Tier 1 cities offer lot of convenience and I enjoy these. I spend a bit extra and do not have to deal with headache and these guys are easily available via apps for all household chores, repairs, deliveries, drivers, cabs etc. in addition, all the amenities available in gated society are not easily available in tier 2 cities. I think Bangalore will give you much deserved soft landing. Plus there are many people who have travelled/lived outside India extensively, so you may find like minded people. Bangalore I think is just as Cosmopolitan as Gurgaon, so it will be good to build some friend circle. But it also depends where in the US lived and interacted. Lot of people in US live in desi ghettos, so they have no problem adjusting.

I do wish I had a big villa in a gated community by a big builder but a flat in gated community will do for now.

[digitalnomadrn]

Thanks for your inputs.

I do have an apartment in a Hiranandani gated community near airport in Bangalore and also I am born and raised in Bangalore before moved to US in 2000. Have tons of friends and that's the reason we are even returning to India, family and more friends.
Given that we live in a 4500+Sqft single family home in Dallas suburbs, I know how much of maintenance and baby sitting it takes. For the travel plans we have in the next phase of our life, we wanted only a spacious apartment in a top community closer to Airport in Bangalore for easy in and out. So we got the interiors done and is ready to go!.

Some years in my childhood I lived in Mysore and the slowness of the city feels much needed change at times. Tons of IT folks from Bangalore who cannot afford homes in Bangalore are moving/buying in Mysore as it's only 90 mins away. Also Mysore is closer to Coorg, Ooty and Kodai that we like to visit often. Connecting with nature as and when possible is on our list. That's why we are considering Mysore too for once or twice in a month stay.

Do have any US investment portfolio that you manage from India?

[Returning_Indian]

I have investments in 401k but I do not manage them. Have allocated them for aggressive growth as I am just 43 and cannot withdraw. Have money in the bank and trying to figure out how to invest that from India. Fortunately (or unfortunately) I am not US citizen, so I don't have to worry about taxes in the US. But with US passport you have to file taxes in both countries on your entire income. US does give some threshold (I think it's above $100k/yr) for citizens living abroad but you have to pay taxes in India on your US income. If I am correct you still have to pay taxes on SS income in India.

As for investments, other than 401k, I am also trying to find if I can actively invest some money that's sitting in the bank in some form of mutual funds. I need to do some active research and find how to invest there. Alternatively, I will just bring that money here and invest in property.

[wd40]

While not in Bangalore but I live in Gurgaon. I would not shift to tier 2 initially. Tier 1 cities offer lot of convenience and I enjoy these. I spend a bit extra and do not have to deal with headache and these guys are easily available via apps for all household chores, repairs, deliveries, drivers, cabs etc. in addition, all the amenities available in gated society are not easily available in tier 2 cities. I think Bangalore will give you much deserved soft landing. Plus there are many people who have travelled/lived outside India extensively, so you may find like minded people. Bangalore I think is just as Cosmopolitan as Gurgaon, so it will be good to build some friend circle. But it also depends where in the US lived and interacted. Lot of people in US live in desi ghettos, so they have no problem adjusting.

I do wish I had a big villa in a gated community by a big builder but a flat in gated community will do for now.

Hey, when did you return from UK? I thought you really like it there and your kid was in school etc. Would love to know more. Do you have a UK passport or Indian?

[JINSAKAI]

While not in Bangalore but I live in Gurgaon. I would not shift to tier 2 initially. Tier 1 cities offer lot of convenience and I enjoy these. I spend a bit extra and do not have to deal with headache and these guys are easily available via apps for all household chores, repairs, deliveries, drivers, cabs etc. in addition, all the amenities available in gated society are not easily available in tier 2 cities. I think Bangalore will give you much deserved soft landing. Plus there are many people who have travelled/lived outside India extensively, so you may find like minded people. Bangalore I think is just as Cosmopolitan as Gurgaon, so it will be good to build some friend circle. But it also depends where in the US lived and interacted. Lot of people in US live in desi ghettos, so they have no problem adjusting.

I do wish I had a big villa in a gated community by a big builder but a flat in gated community will do for now.

Hey, when did you return from UK? I thought you really like it there and your kid was in school etc. Would love to know more. Do you have a UK passport or Indian?

If I recall correctly RI is going to put stay in UK till he doesn’t get the Kohinoor back ( may be Mission Impossible style)

[Returning_Indian]

Hey, when did you return from UK? I thought you really like it there and your kid was in school etc. Would love to know more. Do you have a UK passport or Indian?

I returned back in Aug. Since my return I have newly found appreciation for Indian schooling. My son is now in a truly international school. Some schools call themselves international but teach CBSE and they are not conducive as per his mindset. IB schools are really good and teach at conceptual and application level. At the same time they have full pressure to finish homework, exams, participation in events, focus on individual kids, extracurricular etc. I am now glad I made the move. Western countries are taking it too easy and there is absolutely no pressure/fire/goals in kids. Too much free time is making kids gravitate towards social media and other distractions. Being academic is considered as a failure by other kids (nerd). All the free time has to be occupied and that falls on you to fill the gap with extra classes, focus on academics etc. I think situation has changed dramatically in last 5-10yrs for raising kids. It's much riskier now than it was in human history. But at the same time foundation in western schools till 6th or 7th is still good. Basically until the kids get the mind of their own and then it becomes difficult. There is also a problem of being from a different race. Indians tend to form groups with other Indians or Chinese or other nerd whites. They are never part of the 'main' club.

I have Indian passport. I do not see the utility of passport of any other country than US. Maybe not having to apply for visas can be a good thing but tradeoff is more expensive in terms of taxation. US offers great money and remote flexibility to work and that's the only reason to keep it. UK doesn't have much going for it in terms of salary and opportunities. The way I see it, if you can work remotely for companies in these countries and live in India then nothing like it. Alternatively, you can live in India and not having to worry about money. I like convenience and comfort that India offers and do not mind few irritants. I cannot see myself living in west long term. For last one month it's a festival season here and I cannot believe the vibes. Missed out on the cultural aspects for 3yrs. Ofcourse not having any family there doesn't help. I could not bring myself to start the social circle again. But I do miss the cleanliness and parks and weather of UK on personal level (ya rain as well). Their healthcare and public services are in shambles though. My son misses UK at times but he has adjusted quickly and made new friends.

[r2somewhere]

Hey, when did you return from UK? I thought you really like it there and your kid was in school etc. Would love to know more. Do you have a UK passport or Indian?

I have Indian passport. I do not see the utility of passport of any other country than US. Maybe not having to apply for visas can be a good thing but tradeoff is more expensive in terms of taxation. US offers great money and remote flexibility to work and that's the only reason to keep it. UK doesn't have much going for it in terms of salary and opportunities. The way I see it, if you can work remotely for companies in these countries and live in India then nothing like it.

I dont get this argument. If you are residing in India, isnt any 1st world passport good enough? You can travel visa free and you have the option of parking funds abroad invested in SP500 (not so easy to do as Indian with no foreign ties). In fact, US passport is the worst if you are in India because you still have to file US taxes.

Also, if you want to work remotely for US companies from abroad, you donot need a US passport and there is no advantage to having one.

[wd40]

Hey, when did you return from UK? I thought you really like it there and your kid was in school etc. Would love to know more. Do you have a UK passport or Indian?

I returned back in Aug. Since my return I have newly found appreciation for Indian schooling. My son is now in a truly international school. Some schools call themselves international but teach CBSE and they are not conducive as per his mindset. IB schools are really good and teach at conceptual and application level. At the same time they have full pressure to finish homework, exams, participation in events, focus on individual kids, extracurricular etc. I am now glad I made the move. Western countries are taking it too easy and there is absolutely no pressure/fire/goals in kids. Too much free time is making kids gravitate towards social media and other distractions. Being academic is considered as a failure by other kids (nerd). All the free time has to be occupied and that falls on you to fill the gap with extra classes, focus on academics etc. I think situation has changed dramatically in last 5-10yrs for raising kids. It's much riskier now than it was in human history. But at the same time foundation in western schools till 6th or 7th is still good. Basically until the kids get the mind of their own and then it becomes difficult. There is also a problem of being from a different race. Indians tend to form groups with other Indians or Chinese or other nerd whites. They are never part of the 'main' club.

I have Indian passport. I do not see the utility of passport of any other country than US. Maybe not having to apply for visas can be a good thing but tradeoff is more expensive in terms of taxation. US offers great money and remote flexibility to work and that's the only reason to keep it. UK doesn't have much going for it in terms of salary and opportunities. The way I see it, if you can work remotely for companies in these countries and live in India then nothing like it. Alternatively, you can live in India and not having to worry about money. I like convenience and comfort that India offers and do not mind few irritants. I cannot see myself living in west long term. For last one month it's a festival season here and I cannot believe the vibes. Missed out on the cultural aspects for 3yrs. Ofcourse not having any family there doesn't help. I could not bring myself to start the social circle again. But I do miss the cleanliness and parks and weather of UK on personal level (ya rain as well). Their healthcare and public services are in shambles though. My son misses UK at times but he has adjusted quickly and made new friends.

Thanks for sharing! You are really a globe trotter

My question about the passport was mainly because from what I see, Indians typically have this mentality to acquire a foreign passport first, even if their heart is in India. They want the foreign passport "just in case" insurance for their kids to go and settledown.

To me this is irrational hoarding, just like doomsday people hoard toilet papers, I feel desis are insecure and want to acquire a foreign passport for their kids sake.

To me, if a kid cannot do well in India, which is like such a low cost of living and we are already in the top 1% in India, how the hell can they make it in a developed country, where they are already considered 2nd grade due to race/colour and the barrier to make it big is so much higher.

So, well done man! All the best! It is nice that we can communicate in this forum again, after the old one died. Keep posting here.

[SAPPORO]

Thanks for sharing! You are really a globe trotter

My question about the passport was mainly because from what I see, Indians typically have this mentality to acquire a foreign passport first, even if their heart is in India. They want the foreign passport "just in case" insurance for their kids to go and settledown.

To me this is irrational hoarding, just like doomsday people hoard toilet papers, I feel desis are insecure and want to acquire a foreign passport for their kids sake.

To me, if a kid cannot do well in India, which is like such a low cost of living and we are already in the top 1% in India, how the hell can they make it in a developed country, where they are already considered 2nd grade due to race/colour and the barrier to make it big is so much higher.

So, well done man! All the best! It is nice that we can communicate in this forum again, after the old one died. Keep posting here.

A lot of folks do better in the US than they would have done back in India, including me. The qualifications, university, grades(marks) and age are paramount in India and not the actual skills for the job. I see a lot of folks who struggle with basic English and yet thrive in the US purely based on their coding skills.