‘India Is Exhausting’: Man Says Returning From US Was a Mistake, Reddit Post Triggers Debate

A Reddit post titled “Regret moving to India” has ignited a wider online discussion after an Indian man shared his experience of returning from the United States and deeply regretting the decision.

According to the post, the move back to India was primarily driven by prolonged visa-related stress in the US. Years of uncertainty around renewals, legal processes and waiting periods eventually pushed the user to seek emotional relief and stability by returning home. However, the reality after moving back turned out to be far more overwhelming than expected.

The user described daily life in India as mentally exhausting, citing persistent air and noise pollution, garbage in public spaces, chaotic traffic and a bureaucratic system that often leaves individuals feeling powerless. He claimed the constant disorder creates a form of stress that never truly switches off.

Beyond infrastructure and governance issues, the user said social pressures were another major shock. He pointed to intrusive relatives, lack of personal boundaries and constant questioning around salary, marriage and life choices. According to him, the absence of privacy made daily interactions feel suffocating.

Challenging the popular narrative of happy NRI returns, the user claimed that many people who move back privately admit to regret but avoid saying it publicly due to family pressure, ego or fear of accepting a wrong decision. He warned others against returning solely to escape visa anxiety, arguing that it may mean exchanging one temporary stress for a more permanent one.

The post has triggered mixed reactions online. While some users echoed the frustration and criticised civic conditions and governance, others strongly disagreed, saying peace of mind, family proximity and cultural familiarity outweigh the challenges. Several commenters argued that life in India works well for those who earn enough to compensate for systemic gaps. The debate reflects a larger, ongoing conversation among Indians abroad — whether returning home truly offers comfort, or whether it comes with a different, heavier set of compromises.