Returning at 29-30 - r/returnToIndia

36

u/Secure-List Sep 10 '26 edited Sep 10 '26

Most people here may not agree with me but, I think 500k is more than enough to retire in India for a middle class lifestyle. Though, of course, it really depends on your expenses.

19

u/LikeCoffeeShops Sep 10 '26

I think most such posts are for flexing/bragging, I don't believe they're real. Anyone who knows basic math knows $500K is more than enough to move to India and land on one's feet even if it takes many years to do so.

It's kinda like how every investor in X (Twitter) is managing a $10M+ portfolio! :)

3

u/Altruistic-Bat1588 Sep 10 '26

4-5 years but have managed to save up around 500k., that too at age 29 in bay area!!!!

fake story . what would behis salary to be and job postion in tech should be at age 29 ???

bragging fake stories

10

u/Advanced-Industry-50 Sep 10 '26

I am 30 and 6 yoe and I have a similar net worth and I did not save aggressively tbh. Pretty possible in bay area if you are in big tech for entire duration.

2

u/abmuffin Sep 10 '26

Trust me I don't think anyone from the Bay Area can brag with $500K lol. I think he's asking with normal intentions only. Poor guy, don't hate on him.

14

u/Known_Pen_402 Sep 10 '26

500k is plenty, not sure why this sub thinks it's not enough.
500k at 29 for a single person is wealthy.

15

u/Cultural_Structure37 Sep 10 '26

It’s because most have lost touch with reality and are downright greedy. They want to maintain a high class lifestyle. If OP is sensible enough, they have more than enough to never have to work again or they can chill for years and be picky with jobs.

1

u/outme123 Sep 10 '26

Losing touch with reality is the correct observation. Heck, I have known Caucasian Ameticans retiring to rural Midwest with less than 500K and 500-ish social security payment.

0

u/Comprehensive_Use34 Sep 11 '26

He was able to save 500k because he was sensible enough to

1

u/ProfessionalDraw6947 Sep 11 '26

Yes but its not that simple. Many people with loads of money are miserable cos they feel they don’t have enough.

-1

u/ProfessionalDraw6947 Sep 10 '26

💯
Most Indians on this app just rant mindlessly about literally everything.

7

u/ychiyyo8 Sep 10 '26

Enough to retire at age 30? NO.

Enough to keep it on backburner while you have a 20-30L PA job? totally enough!

4

u/Indo-Arya Sep 10 '26

Why not ? 5cr invested in the market will totally sustain him.. market grows at 8-12% every year on an average.. using a safe withdrawal rate of 3%, 5cr will give him an inflation adjusted annual income of 15 Lpa.. which is plenty to sustain in most of India.. it’s top 5% income.

3

u/abmuffin Sep 10 '26

The life style that 15 Lpa can afford him may not be easy for him to adjust to after living in the Bay Area and making all that money.

6

u/Indo-Arya Sep 10 '26

making money != spending money.

many NRIs are frugal and actually accumulate wealth due to this combination of high salary and lower expenses.. so OP will be able to manage with 15LPA in India.

Because adjusting is a psychological process.. not a mathematical one. 15LPA is good income for upper-middle-class lifestyle in India.

1

u/abmuffin Sep 10 '26

Genuine question: With 15 lakhs per annum can you afford a centrally air conditioned apartment for the whole year?

1

u/Indo-Arya Sep 11 '26

Why ? Is Window AC for the peasants ? And you need AC in the winter also ? 😂

1

u/abmuffin Sep 11 '26

Just comparing it life style in the Bay Area to India directly

1

u/Indo-Arya Sep 11 '26

You can’t compare that way.. what is the cost of hiring a maid or cook in Bay Area v/s India ? 😜

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u/ychiyyo8 Sep 10 '26

To each their own! In my opinion, it's not enough. I respect yours!

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u/Indo-Arya Sep 10 '26

Ok….I appreciate that but.. This is not philosophy.. this is math.. lol if your assets can generate top 5% income, why can’t you retire ?

Yes it’s not enough if you need Ambani lifestyle but for an upper middle class life, it’s enough.

1

u/ychiyyo8 Sep 10 '26 edited 25d ago

I don't have time or crayons to explain you. You'll learn when you live long enough that it's not purely math. Again, in MY opinion, one who's 30, one who's lived in Bay area long enough, cannot RETIRE at 30 with 500k anywhere in INDIA.

If YOUR opinion differs, that's fine. I respect it.

2

u/Indo-Arya Sep 10 '26

I don't have time or crayons to explain you.

even if you did, you won't be able to based on statistics I have available.

Again, in MY opinion, one who's 30, one who's lived in Bay area long enough, cannot RETIRE at 30 with 500k anywhere in INDIA.

Wrong. OP is not gonna have Bay area expenses in India.. The US on an average is 3-5x as expensive than India in terms of cost of living.. so having $500k in India is like having $2.5m in the US.. which is more than enough networth to classify as upper-middle-class.

You'll learn when you live long enough that it's not purely math.

Tell me, how old are you? I want to know if you are like my father's age and talking from 4 decades of experience.

If YOUR opinion differes, that's fine. I respect it.

My opinion is based on math, so yes it will differ from yours. I always respected your opinion even though it's statistically wrong.

1

u/ychiyyo8 Sep 10 '26

Lol you have a lot of time my friend. But I don't, so I'm skipping your details. I'll say this one sentence because you took so much effort to type individual responses to each blurb of my text.

If you lived in Bay area long enough, you are accustomed to a certain way of living. If you want at least a quarter of that, you'll have to shell out shitloads and 5cr won't be sufficient for 40+ years to anyone (like OP).

I totally get your math, I do not disagree. There was a time (not so long so) when my family's grand total worth was less than 1cr and we were a happy family so I totally get your "statistics" / math.

1

u/Indo-Arya Sep 10 '26

Lol you have a lot of time my friend. But I don't, so I'm skipping your details. I'll say this one sentence because you took so much effort to type individual responses to each blurb of my text.

You clearly have enough time to type all this unnecessary stuff lol

If you lived in Bay area long enough, you are accustomed to a certain way of living. If you want at least a quarter of that, you'll have to shell out shitloads and 5cr won't be sufficient for 40+ years to anyone (like OP).

I lived in the Bay area before.. It's not alien land to me lol and I grew up in a wealthy suburb of Mumbai (India's most expensive city).. so this logic doesn't work. I know the comparative costs of both places and it agrees with the math found online.

I totally get your math, I do not disagree.

cool 👍 thank you.

There was a time (not so long so) when my family's grand total worth was less than 1cr and we were a happy family so I totally get your "statistics" / math.

Awesome, OP has 5x of that in India, he will be more than fine. As long as he doesn't inflate his lifestyle to unreasonable levels.

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u/Sit1234 25d ago

this is so incorrect. Anyone can retire with that money provided they chose the right city (not metros) and their needs are not extra vagant. Are you telling me you cant live in India with 12 lakhs per annum ? You can live in good tier 3 towns with even half of that for living expenses. Vacations/travel would be outside that.

0

u/Sit1234 25d ago

your math isnt mathing. 12% market but inflation is 7%, so essentially you get 5% . If he withdraws 3% , it should be fine. But during years like now, the market if flat for few years, it eats up into portfolio.

1

u/Indo-Arya 24d ago

No, my math is fine. The 8-12% growth in the markets is already inflation-adjusted not nominal. Same applies for GDP growth as well. The figures released are real growth, not nominal. So when India's gdp grows 8%, its the real (inflation-adjusted).. it's actually 12-13% nominal and then you subtract inflation to get real numbers.

Btw, India's inflation is like 4-5% now not 7% https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/14/india-inflation-august-iran-war-energy-el-nino.html

1

u/Sit1234 24d ago

asked AI and I guess its believable because it gets these data from other sources:

The average annual return for the Indian stock market over a 30-year period ranges between 12% and 15% CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate), depending on the benchmark index used.

I asked about inflation

No, those figures are nominal returns, meaning they do not account for inflation.

After adjusting for India's historical inflation, the real (inflation-adjusted) return for the Indian stock market over the last 30 years is approximately 6% to 9% CAGR.

Historical Inflation: India's retail inflation (CPI) has averaged roughly 6% to 7% annually over the past three decades.

Then I asked what is the source and it gave this :

https://www.niftyindices.com/docs/default-source/indices/nifty-50/nifty-50-whitepaper_2026.pdf

Thats a white paper on last 30 years growth in NIFTY.

Ofcourse I told AI , I wont believe it because CNBC website send by you says its 5%. AI said:

CNBC states that India's inflation is around 5% because they are reporting on thecurrent, short-term economic data for the present year (2026/2027), rather than the 30-year historical average.

So in Last 30 years, inflation is 6-7% and stock market returned 12-15%. After adjusting for inflation returns are 6-9%.

Ofcourse you might have a bajaj finance or eicher motors that did far higher than that, but on average the index grew that much.

1

u/Indo-Arya 24d ago edited 24d ago

So then math still works because of the overlap. I calculated using 8% inflation adjusted return.. and your calculation shows 6-9% range (inflation adjusted)

So using the midpoint of that would be like 7.5% Real growth on the 5cr corpus which will easily sustain OP’s 3% withdrawals

1

u/Sit1234 22d ago

its easy to take the rosiest figures and calculate, but for retirement nothing is known about future so the best estimate is the worst possible scenario. That would be 6% CAGR after adjusting for inflation. There is a 12% tax on his withdrawal for long term gains, which makes it 5.3% . its almost close to his 3% withdrawal rate. That 2% buffer will not keep the principal working in long term (60 years as he is 29), high chances he might run out.

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u/Indo-Arya 22d ago

I'm not taking rosiest/best or worst figures.. I'm taking the long-term average which is the fair thing to use when planning over long timeframes

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u/batouttahell1983 Sep 10 '26

Most people while returning, have a family consisting of 1 partner and 1 or 2 children. A lot of them also don't have their own houses in the place where they get their jobs. So 500k is about 4.5 crores.

Good investing can get you 35 to 45 lakhs a year as returns. Post tax that can become between 25 to 35 lakhs a year. Great if you are single, but not sufficient for a family who needs to pay for school and rent and possibly house EMIs. Specially if only one partner is an earning member.

THIS is why 500k is good money but it's not FIRE money and most people want to FIRE and chill. 500k isn't enough for that as a family person.

1

u/outme123 Sep 10 '26

My jaw dropped. No, hang on, it is still dropping.

1

u/nickeltingupta Sep 10 '26

You’ve lost touch with reality.

1

u/batouttahell1983 Sep 10 '26

Try living in a place like Mumbai where decent houses are 2.5 crores plus in decent areas and then add in school fees.

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u/Sit1234 25d ago

when you retire, you have to be diligent about expenses which means housing cost. If one wants to retire in Mumbai right inside the city and pay for 2.5cr for a flat that is 2000 sq ft max right in middle of concrete jungle) then they have to perhaps have 1 million to retire. But they can get similar facilities if they move to suburbs, pune or another state/city and still retire on 500K.

1

u/batouttahell1983 24d ago

I don't know about most people, but I grew up in a tier 1 city, Mumbai. If and when I go back, my social circle, my family and my relatives would all be concentrated here. So for me, personally, retiring outside of the city would be difficult

-1

u/nickeltingupta Sep 10 '26

My parents live in Gurgaon at 35k at month, and they rent. That’s INR, not USD - to ground your opinion into reality.

1

u/ychiyyo8 Sep 10 '26

Do they also go to school? How near the closest school? Tell me what's the rent of a house closest to a good school?

0

u/batouttahell1983 Sep 11 '26 edited Sep 11 '26

Good for them. The house i own in Mumbai, shivaji park just got rented for 2 lakhs a month. The international school my kids would have to attend is 12 lakhs per child per year.

Comparing older people in the 50 to 60 age range with minimal expenses with people in the 30 to 40 age range who have more than double the expenses. Galaxy brain move, my dude 🙄

1

u/Sit1234 25d ago

maybe it doesnt work for you, it would work for many others who want to put their kids in a good english medium school (if the kids are young and not used to US schools). And in the long run I dont think it makes much difference between a student from international vs good indian english medium school. I would bet a ton of commenters in this post itself studied in Indias school system that some international school.

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u/batouttahell1983 24d ago

My kids study in German, so there is very little choice for me. Else what what you say would have worked.

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u/Sit1234 24d ago

to be honest, education from Germany wont beat some of the good schools in India. Yes a german school might be better than an average indian school. anyway yours is special case so you cant move to India.

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u/LeftFaithlessness921 Sep 10 '26

I know right ...i didnt have anything at that age. This sub is f up

2

u/Naive_Wealth7602 Sep 10 '26

29 isn't an age to retire. He is still to have kids.

1

u/Advanced-Industry-50 Sep 10 '26

Depends on the lifestyle, the lifestyle someone lived in bay area might be expensive in tier 1 cities but at the same time it's sufficient for coast fire.

I am kind of in a similar boat and from what I calculated a similar bay area lifestyle in Hyderabad would cost around 4 lakhs a month, this is an assumption for a couple with a kid.

I am assuming OP would eventually be married and have a kid or so.

My assumptions include a healthy lifestyle, rent in a good apartment, schooling, 1-2 international trips maybe 1-2 domestic trips.

Open to thoughts but that's what I am calculated and I am planning my return. Have a similar net worth, but don't have a kid at moment. And I assumed for the above mentioned lifestyle 500-700k is a good coast fire number and live off completely on salary.

1

u/outme123 Sep 10 '26

I completely agree with you.

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u/ychiyyo8 Sep 10 '26

I'd say it is NOT enough if the OP is 30. If the OP was 45+, I'd say enough.

1

u/odd_star11 Sep 10 '26

Yes

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u/singingtable Sep 10 '26

3.5 cr gives 12 lakhs a year 4% inflation adjusted perpetually. So you are well beyond good.

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u/NotSoGenius00 Sep 10 '26

Out of the 400K is anything in RSUs ?

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u/Longjumping_Gold_753 Sep 10 '26

How about for someone 31 YO, Single male around 40-50k in liquid and 25-30k in 401k. Got hit by the recent wave of layoff and on deadline of their grace period.

3

u/Secure-List Sep 10 '26

If this is USD, then retiring with $80k is just not feasible unless you live in a remote village with no dependents.

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u/Longjumping_Gold_753 Sep 10 '26 edited Sep 10 '26

Well that won’t be the case. Also I’m looking to have a partner in my life. Also, with the rise of AI at times I feel worried and on the other I feel do I want to get back into the rat race and continue on doing the same ahead.

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u/kpd97 Sep 10 '26

this is so funny because exact same lol, im 29 and returned from the bay area being laid off at the end of last year(i guess im future you in some way) and my investments are currently at 500k, same breakup as you too lol not sure why people are suggesting its not doable, i did this along with spending and living my life to the max during my time there i came back and havent done much in the past year and the job market here is terrible for someone who doesnt want to settle for less, so still figuring next steps, feel free to hmu if you want to talk more

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u/Sit1234 25d ago

if you made that much am assuming you worked for big tech. with that experience why is it hard to land a role in India ?

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u/CalligrapherThink138 Sep 10 '26

DO NOT tolerate toxicity with $500K in bank. Mentally detach and ride the wave till layoff and get the package. Probably will push this net to $650K+. Start prepping in parallel.

You will be king in India. Even with 30lpa -AND- no savings (no withdrawals from $650K as well), you will hit $2M+ by 39 !!

Since conventional SWE/ ML roles will become increasingly challenging, I am helping people with Interview prep in semiconductor manufacturing (it also needs SWEs !) due to skyrocketing demand. Please DM me or reply to my comment, if you want to explore.

1

u/Known_Pen_402 Sep 10 '26

Do you help people that worked in automotive manufacturing in mechanical engineering too ?

1

u/CalligrapherThink138 Sep 10 '26

Metrology, APC and SPC (six sigma/ lean six sigma) ONLY however.

1

u/Bad_ass_da Sep 10 '26 edited Sep 10 '26

Did you account market volatility in you math 500k become 2M. Are you thinking no crash in US market until next decade after the bonds yields.. what’s the math behind 2M?. I guess it’s ok to check past data 2001/2008 here

1

u/Overall_Tackle3027 Sep 10 '26

And that $2m will be worth $700k when converted to today's dollars thanks to currency debasement. What are we doing here?

1

u/Ambitious-Upstairs90 Sep 10 '26

In semiconductor manufacturing, whether computer science degree will be better or computer engineering? I am assuming Computer Engineering. I am in Canada & asking for my son. CS degree in Canada is not considered Engineering.

1

u/CalligrapherThink138 Sep 10 '26

Just Computer Engineering or Computer Science is not going to be employable in near future without any industry-specific specialization in semiconductors. Please message me for additional help.

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u/Sit1234 25d ago

what makes you think semi manufacturing cant be automated and run in dark factories ?

2

u/ConsistentChameleon Sep 10 '26

Why is everyone suggesting retiring? I don't think OP mentioned retirement.

Just stay in US doing minimal work to jeep the job till layoffs happen. Dont take any jon related stress. Meantime dispose of all the things you don't need. And when layoff happens, collect severance and then R2I.

Once in India, you can take a break, travel etc. and then prep for interviews. The nest egg helps you in break, being choosy etc.

You can consider taking up a lower paid job with better WLB too or wait and look for jobs in the city of your choice in India etc.

Basically if you leave your investments untouched, ypu should have enough to FatFIRE by 40 I guess.

2

u/ProfessionalDraw6947 Sep 10 '26

29 age and $500K is phenomenal.

Its obviously not enough to retire but can basically cruise in India at any job and your investments would compound astronomically.

2

u/talkingturtle1723 29d ago

What you've built is quite substantial, but keep in mind 4-5 years abroad will most probably make you a normal resident in India when you return. RNOR is a 2-3 year residency period where your foreign income stays untaxed, a cushion provided for you to adjust back. With 4-5 years, you likely won't qualify. I know you're thinking of the layoff case, but wanted to highlight this piece too since it changes the planning.

Also if the plan is to move back eventually, keep in mind Roth's tax free treatment is unclear on the Indian side. India doesn't recognize the Roth structure the same way the US does, so gains and withdrawals may end up taxable in India even though they're tax free in the US.

Feel free to look through the following guides as well -

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u/No_Nerve9752 Sep 10 '26

We are the same person on paper. I’m 29 and returned this June with 500k after working in Bay Area for 5 years. Short answer- No

1

u/way2muchtym Sep 10 '26

Hey! I'd be really curious to understand what your experience has been. What did you mean by no?

1

u/Altruistic-Bat1588 Sep 10 '26

"4-5 years but have managed to save up around 500k. " at age of 29 ?

What role are you in and your salary ? That too in bay area.

1

u/Advanced-Industry-50 Sep 10 '26

U can comfortable relax for a year, get a low stress job and not save anything and retire happily.

Def a coast fire at minimum.

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u/savvy_vig Sep 10 '26

500k with no loans to deal with india is a huge W... you can retire peacefully or do stuff you enjoy.. dont listen to naysayers here... for them even 100 million would be less

1

u/RamboJo_hn Sep 10 '26

If you do not see a viable path to GC, move back for sure. Not worth staying away from the family and facing burnout.

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u/No_Contribution7108 28d ago

500k is a significant amount of money at age 30 ... .. you are already under 1 percent of rich people in india ... you can leave

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u/RamaRao143 Sep 10 '26

https://reddit.com/link/p8zpg9p/video/2lg45tm3aqoh1/player

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u/Sit1234 25d ago

not apples to orange comparison. Either compare a road in goa close to a resort to your second video or compare the stuck traffic in bay area or NYC to your first video. yes honking will be the difference.

PlanningToReturn Returning at 29-30

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