A viral Reddit post by a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) planning to move back to India after seven years in Europe has struck a chord with thousands online, sparking conversations around loneliness, immigrant life and the emotional cost of living abroad.
The post, titled “Time has come”, described how the individual, despite acquiring foreign citizenship and enjoying a comfortable lifestyle in Europe, now feels drawn toward returning to India permanently.
“Loneliness In Europe Has Crept In”
In the Reddit post, the NRI said that while Europe offered an excellent quality of life, emotional isolation had slowly become overwhelming.
“After seven years living in Europe and having acquired foreign citizenship, I am planning to return to India,” the post read.
The user added that although many people initially supported the idea of returning, reactions had recently become more pessimistic because of concerns about India’s social and economic situation.
“I do see the state of India going down the drain every single day, but loneliness in Europe has crept in,” the individual wrote.
Entrepreneurship Dream Driving The Decision
Apart from loneliness, the NRI also revealed a growing desire to pursue entrepreneurship — something they felt had become difficult while living a stable and comfortable life overseas.
“Quality of life in Europe is great, but my aspirations to pursue entrepreneurship was always an aspiration,” the post said.
The user admitted feeling increasingly complacent and “too chill” while working abroad, despite having ambitions of building something independently.
The post also reflected the internal conflict many immigrants experience:
“Sometimes I think I have lost my senses to leave a cushy job, benefits, etc.”
Other Expats Shared Similar Feelings
The post quickly gained traction online, with several expatriates from countries including United States, Canada and European nations sharing similar emotions.
Many users described feeling permanently divided between two worlds — financially secure abroad, but emotionally disconnected from family, culture and community.
One user commented:
“Makes me wonder if this is just the life of an immigrant. Always divided.”
Another wrote:
“I wonder if all us immigrants are living pretty much the same life. Only differentiating factor is the income level.”
A third user said that although they wanted to move back to India, they no longer felt mentally prepared for the demanding work culture there.
The Emotional Side Of Immigration
Experts often note that immigration discussions tend to focus heavily on salaries, career growth and lifestyle benefits, while emotional wellbeing receives less attention.
For many long-term immigrants, feelings of loneliness, cultural disconnection and identity conflict become more noticeable after the initial excitement of moving abroad fades.
The Reddit discussion reflected a growing trend among some overseas Indians reconsidering their long-term future abroad, especially after achieving financial stability.
Why The Story Resonated Online
The post resonated widely because it captured a dilemma familiar to many global Indians:
- Financial comfort abroad versus emotional belonging at home
- Stability versus entrepreneurial ambition
- Independence versus family and social connection
For many readers, the discussion highlighted how success abroad does not always translate into personal fulfilment.
At the same time, others cautioned that returning to India after years overseas can also bring its own challenges, including reverse culture shock, work stress and adapting to a different pace of life again.
Still, the conversation revealed a common feeling among many immigrants: the sense of living between two homes without fully belonging to either.