Almost two weeks since I came to America, and my perspective has already begun to shift, I believed that if your dream was to build a long-term corporate career, rise to a top position, and live a comfortable life, then there was no better place than the United States. The idea of working a stable 9-to-5 job here seemed like the golden path. A place where hard work is rewarded, opportunities are vast, and the standard of living is unmatched.
But after spending time here, my perspective has changed.
If your goal is to simply live a good life, follow a regular routine, work hard, and come home to peace, then India is not a step behind. In fact, for many, it might be the better choice. The 9-to-5 grind exists everywhere. Whether you are working in a corporate office in America or in India, the pressure and effort are more or less the same. But what makes the real difference is everything outside of work.
In India, you are surrounded by your own people. You’re part of a culture you understand without needing to explain yourself. You get to celebrate festivals with your family, have impromptu dinners with childhood friends, and be there for your loved ones during important moments, something that’s hard to replace, no matter how high your salary or how comfortable your apartment is abroad.
I’ve lived in Bangalore for over a year and a half in a well-maintained, upscale neighbourhood. I met countless people who followed a simple 9-to-5 routine, yet lived fulfilling lives. They came home in the evenings to family, shared meals, and played badminton at night with neighbours. I could see the contentment in their faces. They weren’t chasing a distant dream; they were living their dream, one day at a time. Their lives had balance, connection, and meaning.
On the other hand, in America, if your intention is to pursue that same lifestyle a regular job, a routine, some comfort, then yes, your mid to late twenties may feel thrilling in comparison. You can afford experiences your peers in India might only dream of. Fancy cars, yacht parties, spontaneous getaways, independence you truly can live it up.
But with time, responsibilities grow. Priorities change. And that same excitement begins to fade. You start to miss birthdays, weddings, and even casual family dinners. The thought of going back to India might cross your mind, but by then, it’s not that simple anymore. Your kids may not adjust to a new environment or education system. Your life, which was once flexible, becomes rooted in a place that may not always feel like home.
Meanwhile, those same peers back in India are living comfortably. They might be working the same type of job, but they have parents nearby, affordable household help, and a stronger safety net of relationships. In cities like Bangalore or Mumbai, if you're in a good neighbourhood, the quality of life is solid. It may not have the same polish or convenience as America in every aspect, but the emotional richness makes up for it in full.
Of course, there are differences—there will always be but they are worth it if what you value is staying close to your roots, your family, and your culture.
But if your aim is different, if you want to go beyond routine, if you want to take risks, build something of your own, be part of the tech wave and the AI revolution, then America truly is a unique stage. Here, you are surrounded by the best minds in the world. The pace is fast. The competition is fierce. And the opportunity to create something remarkable is unmatched.
If you are willing to sacrifice comfort for ambition, if you are ready to work harder than ever before, fail faster, learn quicker, and push yourself to limits you didn’t know existed, then this is where you belong. America rewards those who dream big and don’t stop until they get there.
But you have to make that decision with full awareness. No path is easy. No choice is perfect. You either stay back in India and embrace a life full of love, familiarity, and belonging, or you come here to chase a bigger, riskier dream with all its challenges.
Whichever road you choose, stand by it. The beginning will always be tough, but the outcome if done right will be equally meaningful.