A young Indian-origin tech professional based in Canada has stirred a conversation on Reddit after revealing his desire to leave behind his life in the West and permanently return to India.
Posting under the handle @Competitive-Group-80, the 25-year-old Canadian citizen, who also holds Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), shared a detailed and heartfelt post about feeling emotionally detached from life in Canada and increasingly drawn to his Indian roots.
“I’m 25M, a Canadian citizen and an Indian OCI. Single. I grew up in Gurgaon, spent 11 years of my life there. I’m pretty unhappy with my life in Canada, we have a house, and I work a meh tech job but I do not feel fulfilled,” he wrote.
Nostalgia fuels the desire to return
In his Reddit post titled ‘Moving back to India’ he spoke about how, after a decade-long gap, he began visiting India again in 2021-10 times since then. Describing his first return, he wrote: “When I returned for the first time, it felt like I had gone back in time in a good way. All my memories of childhood came flooding back.”
Although his family is hesitant about the idea, the Reddit user said he is serious about moving back. “I have been pushing my parents to buy a house in India but they’re not buying into the idea. Instead, I’m thinking of buying a relatively cheap property for myself… I don’t know what I will do, but I definitely want to return.”
While acknowledging the imperfections in India, he was also openly critical of life in the West. “India has its flaws, I get it, but so do these western countries. I personally do not see a happy future for Indians in general in the West,” he wrote. He also expressed a long-term plan to start a small business in India and eventually live off inherited assets. On a personal note, he added, “I plan to stay single/unmarried. I have seen too much drama in my family alone pertaining to marriage and frankly it’s just not worth it.”
Mixed reactions online
The post drew a wide range of reactions, from supportive to sceptical. One Redditor encouraged the move, while also recommending a cautious approach: “You are a Canadian citizen. If shit hits the fan in India, you can always go back to Canada anytime. Give yourself 3-5 years in India and see. Just don’t let Plan B come to mind too often.”
Another user kept it simple: “If you think it will make you happy, do it. Don’t overthink. Taking others’ opinions will confuse you more. Good luck.”
A third comment echoed similar optimism: “Do what makes you happy. You’re young-you can afford to take risks.”
Others urged practical thinking. “Going on a vacation is very different to living there. Try living there for six months first,” one commenter advised.
Sharing personal experience, another user wrote, “Came back from the USA 16 years back and never regretted it.”
Some took a humorous angle. One user quipped: “Good. Indian tax and its return will make you run to Canada again.”
The emotional post has resonated with many Indians living abroad, shedding light on the complex push and pull between the comfort of Western life and the deep ties to home.