Rs 25 crore enough? NRI couple asks how much net worth is needed to return and raise a kid in India, internet throws up wild numbers
A techie couple in their mid-30s, who have lived in the US for nearly 15 years, recently shared a heartfelt post on Reddit. With one young child and a solid financial base, they're now considering moving back to India, not for a job, but for a slower, more meaningful life.
'We'll probably take a break, spend time with family, and later look for something we truly enjoy. We don't want work to control our lives anymore,' they wrote.
Their post struck a chord, especially with fellow millennials facing career burnout, parenting pressures, and the desire for work-life balance. The question they asked, 'What's a good number to retire early in India and live peacefully with a child?', triggered a wave of responses.
What Did People Say Online?
A widely shared response referred to the FIRE rule (Financial Independence, Retire Early):
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'33x your yearly expenses, invested well, is enough,' said one user.
Another broke down what a comfortable, high-end lifestyle in India could look like:
Rs 3 crore: 4BHK flat
Rs 2 crore: medical buffer
Rs 1 crore: gadgets, appliances, interiors
Rs 12.5 crore: FIRE corpus to generate Rs 25 lakh per year
Rs 2.5 crore: long-term travel
Rs 4 crore: child's schooling + US college education
'So that's around Rs 25 crore. Some say it's a lot, but for 'fat FIRE', it's ideal, unless you want to live in South Bombay,' the commenter added.
Real Talk: Costs, Culture Shock & Adjustments
One person warned that lifestyle inflation is real in India too, 'If you're moving to Bandra, expect Rs 2 lakh/month for daily expenses, excluding Rs 1.25 lakh/month rent. Plus, expect at least 6-12 months of adjustment.'
Another suggested an income-from-property plan, 'Buy 3-4 flats in cash. Stay in one, rent out the others. If done wisely, rental income alone can support your family.'
Not Just About Money
Concerns about health, education, and environmental conditions also came up. One user wrote, 'If you already own a house, Rs 1.5 to 2.5 lakh/month covers everything: food, school, and lifestyle. With Rs 10 crore invested at just 5% returns, you can live peacefully. No foreign holidays twice a year, but still a great life.'
Another user added, 'We have around USD 5.5 million net worth (USD 3.6M in investments, USD 1.9M in property). As US citizens with OCI, we're considering moving, but it depends on many things: city, citizenship, kids' future.'
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