Done with Tier1 cities, moving to tier 2 town with family - A rant
Been in Bangalore for 6+ years and love everything the city has given me. This city ( more like people here) taught me what software engineering and product sense is, how to entrepreneurs function, whats a 100X coder like. Made many memories, weekend trips to nearby places were so nice. Dated, moved in and then married my girlfriend, adopted a dog. So Bangalore has given me a lot. But in hindsight it takes a way a lot also - 1. Everybody is in constant work mode, even in parties its just about who is doing what 2. Everybody is in loot mode here - i have seen locals pay less for veggies/fruits in front of me, then the veggies apparently have lead in them 3. Rents/builders/brokers/roads - we all know whats up with them Though it was nice initially, now i feel like even after earning so much ( ctc > 1cr) if i just spend it all here ( monthly expenses ~2lacs same is with all my married friends), what is the point even. Hence making a move to slow life now, where you get a house with garden for 25k and fresh veggies and you can actually develop some relationship with community. This urge to always outperform in career is not really needed, we all eventually work towards savings and hence if i earn less but spend even lesser, its more or less the same thing for me. But i dont want to live in a matchbox, travel 1 hour to meet a friend, eat a roti for 150bucks and be in constant anxiety about climbing the ladder. All i want is to focus on health, and sit in a garden in some sunshine with my wife and my dog and enjoy a cup of tea. So yes, I AM DONE. Moving to a tier 2 ( more like tier 2.5 town ) Happy to answer any questions if anybody has any.
majboormajdoor
Stealth
7 months ago
So are you fed up with Bangalore or just the career rat race?
Both are different.
Also, costs can be low in Bangalore, spending 2L/mo in married life isn't a feature of the city, it's the feature of your circle.
Not all high earners have to be HENRYs
majboormajdoor
Stealth
7 months ago
Why do high earners like yourself feel that they are forced to rent and spend at 2L?
GolDRoger
Stealth
7 months ago
Both are actually connected, let me explain how-
To climb the career ladder or be in rat race, i need to be in Bangalore ( or Hyderabad/chennai/Mumbai)
I am optimising for quality time with my family
First let me list two top things i want -
- space where my family can live peacefully, a garden, big rooms , atleast a 3bhk where my parents can come and live anytime) costs > 60k easily in Bangalore, garden to bhool hi jao
- fresh food, good veggies, some social connections.
On the spendings - let me break it down
Rent - 60k ( need atleast a 3bhk in good society for wellbeing of my family, we go for long walks to be healthy, parents/relatives need a place if they come to visit us )
Maid/cook - 15-20k
Emi on car - 25k ( one more year)
Random bills - 10k ( internet etc)
So thats fixed expenditure of >1lac each month
Now factor in groceries etc and it reaches 1.5 lacs
Need to travel to north every other month ( 40k for tickets/cabs etc)
It might seem like we are spending too much but this is not even including vacation/gadgets/random expenses.
One might argue for a 3bhk or maid/cook but thats the lifestyle i need to save my time and give comfort to family. And there is really not a lot of scope to bring this down as you can see. Nowhere we are spending on branded clothes/expensive food. We are simple dal chawal and walk in evening kind of folks. But this city ( or any for that matter) has just become too expensive.
I have run these numbers by few of my friends and everybody is in same boat.
Regarding career race, one needs to be in Bangalore ( even in remote companies) if you are higher up in some organisation( eg senior/head of product)
Since what i am prioritising in life is not aligning with what i am getting, need to step out of both.
Cost comparison in tier 1 and small city
3bhk house with garden (75k - 25k)
Full time maid( 20k - 10k )
Veggies/fruits etc proportionally get cheaper
Travel to north india ( 5-6lacs to 1 lac per year)
See more comments
TheOatmeal
Stealth
7 months ago
Lucky you.
GolDRoger
Stealth
7 months ago
Taking the plunge is more like it.
Havent figured out work completely but have figured out what i definitely dont want.
In worst case ( recession, no jobs etc etc)
I can always teach maths/physics/coding to kids in tier 2-3 towns and still generate decent income and respect in society.
I stopped thinking about life in terms of career ladder and more like lifestyle choices a while back.
At core, i am working towards savings. No need to be head of product or something if i can do that as a normal sde2 working remotely in small town.
So lucky that wifey aligns with this and we are moving to life we always wanted.
Dog is really happy , just doesn't know why yet. :)
TheOatmeal
Stealth
7 months ago
I am happy for the dog. Mine waits every 6 months to chill with me for 7 days. I miss him.
Say hi and give him/her a good pat to him from my side 👋
See more comments
IamBiztech
Student
7 months ago
It would be great if you could tell me your alma Mater @GolDRoger , just curious to know
GolDRoger
Stealth
7 months ago
Iiit Hyderabad
7-8 years in tech and product now.
Have sufficient social capital now.
I think i have learnt whatever i needed to learn from Bangalore (how to work, how to execute, entrepreneurship). Its time to execute now and hence lowering my costs without lowering my lifestyle. This extends my runway, gives my family even more luxury ( full time servant for 10k in small town ) and helps us work on our dreams ( wife is bootstrapping her business also , so am i )
IamBiztech
Student
7 months ago
I think you got the good partner man! , I am sure most of the times you didn't have to worry for certain areas of life which most of the married man usually
See more comments
Bold move, let more and more of us be empowered to make this rad steps in life.
As people like us empty out and move to more and local places, our local communities will also thrive and consequently develop some employment.
More power to your bold move 🙏
GolDRoger
Stealth
7 months ago
One thing i immediately want to start doing there is helping young graduates get remote tech jobs.
All these youtube bhaiyya didis have made a fuss of really simple things.
This will just be guidance sessions and not a coaching/course of any kind.
I can help anyone draft a roadmap to get a job in 3 months.
There are more ideas on how can we help the local community there ( in terms of guidance/tech/marketing). Lets hope some good comes out of it
See more comments
See more comments
GolDRoger
Stealth
7 months ago
Age 31
Quit my job 3 months back.
Currently working on some products, will try to generate some income out of then ( 1 year timelimit) else work remote.
Havent figured out that yet, taking the plunge to move first and then figure out.
Monthly expenses will be half there hence runway extends to more than 2 years.
Have sufficient confidence in myself to make it work in those two years
We have a car, all the stuff required for 3bhk house, and good health insurance policies so no worries around basic things for now
RaggedPond
Stealth
7 months ago
I am younger to you, however I somehow believe that I'll be in the same boat in the next 5-7 years.
However, I cannot bring myself to terms with the fact that I can forego my friends. Have lost a number of people already due to time and distance, and can't think of letting go the rest few.
What I want to know from you is, have you considered slow living in Bangalore itself? Is it possible or is it just a far fetched thought? Maybe optimising the costs would be the major concern there, since I believe that convenience-wise things would eventually balance out (having a house help for cheaper vs amazing quick-commerce for example).
GolDRoger
Stealth
7 months ago
As people grow old ( read married), you start planning for your familys roadmap for next 10-15 years.
Cheao househelp, bigger house are things i mentioned but let me get into this deeper.
1. We will be having a baby in next 2-3 years and we need to decide where will we raise him/her. I am sorry to say this but i dont want him to grow up with rich peoples kids because they are kind of spoilt (observation not hypothetical).
I dont want him to study with all rich peoples kids because i dont think that will embibe the principle i would want him to have. I want him to see culture, stay connected to roots, study with people from all strata of society or atleast majority of middle class kids.
2. Parents are getting old( mine and my wifes). Thats the reason i never left India and now I want to be closer to them in a way that it doesn't burn a hole in my pocket everytime i visit them, money should be the last factor there.
3. Slow life, mental peace. For some reason all parties conversations have moved to tech/product/ businesses now since most of my social circle is doing well and are exploring new things ( startups, own ventures)
My friends are now scattered all over the world and all over india, we anyways are able to catch-up once a year.
On top of that most of them are married and have little time after visiting their parents/in laws/siblings and their own vacations.
Upside to this is - i can invite them to my house in uttarakhand and we can together go on road trips instead of chilling in my flat in Bangalore.
GolDRoger
Stealth
7 months ago
Optimising slow life in Bangalore is tough, consider how life slows down when you visit hometown.
Techies have this habit of making every conversation around tech. Thats not a bad thing, it just is.
Crazy. More power to you man. Decade or two later we would think of folks like yourself as trend setters for what would most likely be a norm then. Do well and wish you a happy (maybe less rich) life!
If you don't mind are you ok sharing your (including wife's) networth numbers? What do you think about FI / FIRE? Do you have a target number
GolDRoger
Stealth
7 months ago
Networth - we dont have crazy money. We have runway for 2-3 years depending on our expenditure. Apart from that we havea fully setup 3bhk ( all furniture, appliances etc are bought), a Tata nexon (4 lacs loan remaining) and thats it.
Wife is trying to setup her business, so am i.
FIRE is a fad according to me. What we should be focusing on are lifestyle sustainable businesses ( and look beyond tech).
India is booming with possibilities now
First Stage we want to reach is that our businesses make up for our monthly expense so that our savings are untouched. Once that is done, i would want to scale maybe same business or maybe something different.
You can play the status game or money game in life. I am perfectly fine with nobody ever knowing my achievements as long as i am living with my family, not working 24*7 and is able to enjoy life with them
In a small city, one can do this on 1-2 lacs monthly income and hence the move ( same reason why Americans move to thailand)
Powerful ideas. Delinking with status is probably the single biggest act of liberation. Looks like you own the 3BHK. That (1.5Cr?) and car's equity value (15lacs) + savings/incestments (75lacs) included you still have 2.5Cr which is good
See more comments
GolDRoger
Stealth
7 months ago
Already resigned few months back.
As i said, we are taking the plunge. Figuring out something of my own ( either tech product that makes money or complete remote with lower salary than i pick up currently)
Cant have the plan have dependencies like my employers mercy.
If you look seriously, you would be amazed to find out business opportunities in tier2/3 cities which would earn you a really good amount of money, if you look beyond tech
See more comments
GolDRoger
Stealth
7 months ago
It was one of the final cities in our consideration, we made a list of all cities that were viable and met our conditions.
Vizag made it to the final cut, it just the language barrier and connectivity from my hometown where it didn't make it
Beautiful city and lovely people is what i have heard though
See more comments
I have read through your post and comments (these were quite detailed too). Amidst a flood of such posts across platforms, yours seems truly well-thought. I found it inspiring too at the same time, thanks for sharing man and all the best in your leap of faith
GolDRoger
Stealth
7 months ago
Thats kind of you brother.
It was years in making. Me and my wife were truly aligned on this since many years and its just that the math checks out now.
Seeing this post get traction, will possible write a follow up in some months for sure
Strongly agree 💯
Few useful threads...
Checkout this post on Grapevine - https://share.gvine.app/ZhirCkvvrKdtfeaaA
Rural Life Experience.
87+ comments on Grapevine
Checkout this post on Grapevine - https://share.gvine.app/Cwn7qVLtjiPTWHBF9
Rural Life Experience 2.
GolDRoger
Stealth
7 months ago
Thanks for this, pretty much resonates with my thought process
Moving out of rate race .. good 👍 need more of this.. hearing my friends are getting panic attacks in mid thirties ..remote world has opened many opportunities.. go contribute and live in the real India..
BlueLeave
Stealth
7 months ago
Which city are you considering for the move?
GolDRoger
Stealth
7 months ago
Moving to some town in uttarakhand ( still debating kind of based on
Connectivity
Medical services
Conditions of houses available for rental
Wont be too high in hills or some remote place, mostly haldwani/dehradun or similar places
GolDRoger
Stealth
7 months ago
No guts, no glory
I think the person mentioned he has been living in Bangalore for more than 6 years. And earning more than 1 cr. So that means he already had enough of guts and enough of glory.
AmpleHawk1
Stealth
7 months ago
Can totally relate. Whatever this city has to give, is eventually taken away by real estate.
GolDRoger
Stealth
7 months ago
Greed ruined this beautiful city. Read a report about how majority of lakes have been encroached by builders.
I love the city, i really do but greed has turned this city into a nightmare. If i am not able to make sense of current situation financially ( considering i had a pretty high package,), one can only wonder how struggling it is for young married folks with different backgrounds ( ca, lawyers )
Having a kid here seems really difficult because i would really like to see my kid grow up and spend time with him rather than just see him after 7pm when office calls stop
Cant work at a relaxed job here coz then the finances will start stacking up.
And with recent layoffs and water scarcity - its just gonna get worse
Do you mind sharing which city you’re moving to?
I feel like you can move to satellite cities like Kengeri - it has cheaper rents and good connectivity with the city too
GolDRoger
Stealth
7 months ago
Nope
Greed has ruined Bangalore sadly.
The weather is not nice anymore ( its freaking hot all the time)
Apart from apartment, everything else is still expensive af.
My definition of civilisation is if swiggy instamart delivers within 15 mins. Anything more than that and my instant gratification junkie monkey wont be happy.
GolDRoger
Stealth
7 months ago
Hahaha makes sense
What if i tell you, you can get a full time help, who lives in your house and does everything ( cleaning, cooking, random chai requests) and more for 10-15k salary in small city, is that gratification enough?
I agree. I actually have a bhaiya, Beeru. He’s a life saver. He even folds my blanket and makes the bed everyday.
But quick commerce just ruined me. I blame only Swiggy. Like in HSR it takes like 6-10 mins to get anything delivered.
Once you get used to it. There’s no going back! Unless you leave civilisation completely. But i can’t live someplace where instamart takes 30 mins.
Marwalo
Student
7 months ago
This is too exceptional case now, as I am also facing the same having good payout, but don't have option to move to hometown.
This is possible when you completely say Bye-bye for corporate and start doing something in tier 2/ tier 3.
But again, we all struck in rat race including me and having FOMO for have or have not.
GolDRoger
Stealth
7 months ago
Aptly put brother.
I can make the move because i am married and i dont need to justify my decisions to anyone if its a well thought one between me and my wife.
Good partner is the most important factor thats enabling this move. When you say "what if i fail" you need someone to tell you "but what if you fly". For me, thats my wife.
Harvey_Specter
Stealth
7 months ago
Nice to see you have made a big decision, it requires a lot of guts and a clear mind to choose this path. I admire people like you.
I also hold similar thoughts but I am early in my career and currently hunting for a new job as I left previously because of some issue.
As I have just started I need to learn so many things but would love to follow your journey, maybe I will imitate it in the future🙃.
Would like to chit-chat or follow you.
All the best
GolDRoger
Stealth
7 months ago
You can send me a dm and we can connect on Twitter if you like
Harvey_Specter
Stealth
7 months ago
Sorry, but I can not DM you as I don't have enough grapes, can you please DM?
how much paycut are you expecting or observed while moving to tier ~2.5 town ? are you happy with it? what are you focusing on ahead in life ?
GolDRoger
Stealth
7 months ago
Will be focusing on my own product for 1 year ( have a decent enough runway with good health insurance policies)
If the product doesnt monetize, i can do complete remote with some us based saas or work as freelancer for 40$/hour. ( I know thats low)
Based on my current research, these shouldn't be hard to find
if it's ok with you, would you mind sharing which city/town specifically you're moving to ?
Discover More
Curated from across
