'So Many Positives Here, But...': Man Reveals What Stops Wealthy NRIs From Returning

A man, who moved back to India after living in the United States for 25 years, sparked a discussion online by revealing what he believes is the biggest “deal breaker” keeping many wealthy Indian immigrants from returning home.

In a post on X, Naresh shared that as he and his wife neared retirement, several friends in the US were exploring the idea of settling in India. While he noted that the country offers “many positives,” he said India’s overwhelming traffic factor repeatedly discourages them.

In his post, Naresh explained that despite having the means and desire to contribute to India’s economy, many NRIs hesitate because of the daily chaos on the roads.

“Wife & I lived in US for 25 years and returned to India. As we are approaching retirement

age some US friends are asking how life in India really is, as they are debating moving to India for retirement. So many positives here, but you know what the deal breaker for many is? The horrendous Traffic,” he tweeted.

He described traffic as a major deterrent and pointed out the broader economic and personal costs associated with it, urging that the issue be addressed urgently.

“Just think about it, NRI’s with $$ to contribute to Indian economy, but not coming back because of our chaotic traffic. There are so many hidden costs to our bad traffic. We need to fix it on a war footing, ” he further wrore.

He tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi while concluding his message.

The thread soon drew significant attention. Many agreed with his views, while others questioned the idea of returning to India after spending decades abroad. Naresh responded that motivations vary—some want proximity to aging parents, others seek affordable healthcare or the comfort of having domestic help.

Addressing comparisons with the US, he remarked that while traffic jams in cities like Chicago can be long, they still follow “order” and lane discipline, unlike the unpredictable nature of Indian roads.

One user suggested him moving to a less congested town or semi-urban area to escape the gridlock.

The discussion comes at a time when more NRIs are reconsidering a move back, especially after the US introduced tighter visa rules and increased scrutiny of undocumented immigrants. Just last month, an Indian tech professional who had lived in America for eight years expressed his desire for “stability” and a sense of community, saying in a Reddit post that even though he built a successful career after relocating in 2016, he had always envisioned eventually returning to India.