Real families who left San Francisco, Seattle, New Jersey and Austin for Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune. They are answering questions every week, free.
The worries we hear most
Returnees from the USA have done the 401k / EOSB / pension paperwork already. Copy their playbook.
Real families share what worked for IB, Cambridge, CBSE and ICSE transitions, by city and age.
Container costs, customs concessions and what to sell vs ship, from people who just did it.
Meet returnees who moved from the USA to your target city, and ask them directly.
A clear runway
You do not need to do everything at once. Here is when each piece actually matters.
Before you give notice. Easier with US address on file.
Roll over, leave, or cash out. Talk to two returnees before deciding.
Plan the US-India tax-year split. Pull every 1099 and W-2 now.
Container quotes in. School seats confirmed in target city.
Returnees share which queue to start with in your city.
FBAR for the next year, mutual fund setup, kids in school.
The boring stuff that bites later
Open an NRO + NRE pair before you give 60-day notice. Sort out a US mailing address that survives the move (a parent, a CMRA, a forwarding service). Pull every 1099, W-2 and 401k statement now while you still have account access. Most people underestimate the paper trail and overestimate the panic.
You stay a US tax filer if you have any US-source income or you are still a green card holder. Decide before you move whether to roll the 401(k) over, leave it where it is, or cash out (almost never the right answer under 59.5). FBAR follows you to India - if any Indian account crosses 10k USD at any moment in the year, you file. Returnees in the community have done all three paths and will tell you what they would do again.
A 20-foot container from the West Coast to a major Indian port lands between 4-7k USD, plus Indian customs. For most families it is cheaper to sell furniture and re-buy in India - and your stuff arrives 8-12 weeks late anyway. Ship what is irreplaceable, sentimental, or genuinely cheaper to bring (good knives, specific kitchen gear, kids' favourite books). Sell the rest.
Indian school years start in April or June. If you are leaving the US in May after the school year ends, you are arriving mid-cycle in most cities. Apply 6-9 months before move date. IB and Cambridge boards transition US transcripts more cleanly than ICSE/CBSE - but the right answer depends on your kid's age and your city.
Ballpark numbers from real returnees. Yours will vary.
Asked or answered by people who made the same move from the United States.
We're conscious about proper waste management, especially for old electronics. We want to know if there are dedicated recycling facilities or collection services for such items.
Are annual fees paid in installments, and what are the additional costs like transportation, uniforms, or activity fees? Does Chirec or Oakridge offer any concessions or scholarships for returning NRIs, if any?
I'll be working remotely for my US employer. I'd like to find a good co-working space in North Goa, perhaps in areas like Panjim, Porvorim, or Mapusa, to avoid isolation. Are there any popular ones that also offer net...
We are considering moving to New Town and are looking for a school for our 10-year-old that emphasizes overall development, not just academics. Could you suggest some specific schools in these areas known for such an ...
My son is a keen swimmer, and my daughter is into classical dance. We want a school that offers excellent facilities and coaching in these areas, perhaps like Sishya or St. Bede's Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School.
I'm returning from the US next month and need to quickly set up bank accounts for my finances. I want to understand the most efficient way to do this without delays.
We're returning from the UK and considering sending our children there. We need to understand the financial commitment involved for two children.
I'll be arriving at Kempegowda International Airport with a significant amount of USD. Should I exchange it at the airport, or are there better options in the city like specific banks or currency exchange centers in M...
Be the pioneer from your country
A practical return plan covering tax, money, schools, banking, shipping, healthcare and first steps after landing. Save your progress as you go.
The shape of a return move from where you are now.
The topics that move the needle for returnees from here.
Your 401(k) does not need to be cashed out on day one. India does not have a 401(k) treaty, so the tax treatment depends on whether you stay RNOR and when you withdraw. Most returnees leave funds invested and withdraw across years to manage US withholding and India taxability.
Sell vested RSUs while you are still a US resident where possible. Capital gains earned as a US resident are simpler to report. Anything that vests after you become an Indian tax resident gets complex fast.
You usually owe one final US filing covering the part-year you were resident, plus FBAR if you cross the threshold. Indian salary and Indian interest also become reportable depending on your status.
Kids coming from US public or private schools usually slot into IB or Cambridge most smoothly. CBSE / ICSE need more adjustment in maths pace and language. Mid-year intake is possible in many private schools.
Most US-to-India movers quote per cubic foot. A 20-foot container suits a 2 to 3 bedroom home. Customs offers concessions on personal effects within a transfer of residence window if you meet stay rules.
Keep at least one US bank account and one no-fee credit card. Useful for US subscriptions, ESPP proceeds and credit history. Notify the bank of address change to avoid sudden closures.
Built for US returnees, used by people who have already moved.
Get a personalised US to India plan covering timeline, taxes and finances.
See how India stay dates affect your RNOR window after returning from the US.
Decide whether to keep, roll over or draw down your 401k before moving.
Build a transition-aware portfolio across US brokerages and India.
Understand FBAR, RNOR and India filing obligations for US returnees.
Find IB / Cambridge / CBSE schools that fit kids coming from US schools.
Plan what to move, what to keep and when to act financially.
Match with verified CAs and cross-border advisors who handle US-India cases.
Line up India health cover before pre-existing waits kick in.
Where returnees most often land. Open a city to see real questions and answers.
What returnees ask most often.
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