This Article was fact checked and last updated for accuracy on March 28, 2025 by Mani Karthik
Guess what? Coming back to India is like picking which playground to visit!
Some have big swings, others have awesome slides, and some have the best monkey bars!
When I came back from America with my family, I had to pick the perfect playground too.
My little boy asked, “Dad, how do we know which place will make us happiest?”
Great question, right?
Let’s go on an adventure to find out which state might be your perfect new home!
The Popular Playgrounds Where Most Friends Go 🏙️
Some states are like the super popular playgrounds where lots of returning NRIs gather:
| State | What Makes It Special | The Not-So-Fun Parts |
|---|---|---|
| Karnataka (Bangalore) | Tons of tech jobs and international schools! | Traffic jams that take foreeeever! |
| Maharashtra (Mumbai/Pune) | Big city excitement and jobs in every field! | Very expensive houses – like trading all your toys! |
| Tamil Nadu (Chennai) | Beautiful culture and growing tech parks! | Super hot weather that makes you sweaty! |
| Gujarat (Ahmedabad) | Business-friendly and amazing food! | Fewer international companies |
| Kerala (Kochi) | Clean air, beautiful beaches, relaxed life! | Fewer big job opportunities |
| NCR (Delhi area) | Capital city with every convenience! | Air that sometimes makes your chest feel yucky |
When my US-born son first visited Bangalore, he said, “Dad, there are so many people who talk like our American neighbors!” He was right! Some places feel more familiar when you’re coming from abroad.
What Makes a State Perfect for YOU? 🌈
Picking your state is like choosing your favorite ice cream flavor. Everyone likes something different!
Jobs and Money Matters 💼
Some states have special jobs that might match your superpowers:
| State | Best Job Fields | Salary Happiness |
|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | Technology, Startups | Very Good |
| Maharashtra | Finance, Movies, Business | Excellent |
| Tamil Nadu | Manufacturing, Technology | Good |
| Telangana (Hyderabad) | Pharma, Technology | Very Good |
| Gujarat | Business, Manufacturing | Good |
| Kerala | Tourism, Healthcare | Lower but goes further! |
When I moved back, I needed a place where my digital marketing skills would shine. Bangalore had so many companies looking for exactly what I could do!
Schools for Your Little Ones 🎒
If you have kids, schools are super duper important!
| State | International Schools | Indian Curriculum Schools | What Parents Say |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | Lots and lots! | Excellent options | “Great balance of cultures!” |
| Maharashtra | Many good ones | Very competitive | “Prepares kids for anything!” |
| NCR | Lots of variety | Among the best | “Some of the best in the country!” |
| Tamil Nadu | Growing numbers | Strong in academics | “Kids learn traditional values too!” |
| Kerala | Fewer options | Excellent education | “Kids still score the highest!” |
My son was nervous about changing schools. But his new school in India had a swimming pool, music rooms, and friends who understood both worlds. His worry melted away like ice cream on a hot day!
Weather: Sunshine or Rain? ☀️🌧️
Weather is like picking clothes – everyone has favorites!
| State | Weather Type | How It Feels |
|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | Moderate all year | Like wearing a light jacket – not too hot, not too cold! |
| Maharashtra | Hot summers, nice winters | Summers feel like standing near a pizza oven! |
| Kerala | Tropical with monsoons | Lots of rain for jumping in puddles! |
| NCR | Super hot summers, cold winters | Four different seasons to experience! |
| Gujarat | Very hot and dry | Like being wrapped in a warm blanket! |
| Himachal/Uttarakhand | Cool mountain air | Like sticking your head in the freezer on hot days – refreshing! |
My wife missed the changing seasons from America. But she fell in love with Kerala’s magical monsoons – the sound of rain while drinking warm chai became her new favorite thing!
Culture Comfort: Feeling at Home 🏮
Some states might feel more like home depending on your background:
| State | Language Ease | Cultural Vibe | Community |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | English widely spoken | Mix of traditional and modern | Large NRI communities |
| Maharashtra | English common in cities | Fast-paced, cosmopolitan | Diverse expat groups |
| Kerala | Education focused, English common | Relaxed, progressive | Strong community ties |
| Tamil Nadu | Traditional with English in cities | Deep cultural roots | Close-knit communities |
| Punjab | Welcoming to returnees | Vibrant celebrations | Very family-oriented |
| NCR | Very cosmopolitan | International feel | Diverse communities |
Language was a big worry for us. My son only spoke English. In Kochi, he sometimes felt lost when friends spoke Malayalam.
But Kerala’s high English proficiency helped him adjust while slowly learning the local language.
Healthcare: Keeping Your Body Strong 🏥
Some states have better doctors and hospitals than others:
| State | Medical Facilities | Special Healthcare Features |
|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | Excellent | Hospitals that feel like America! |
| Maharashtra | World-class | Specialists for every tiny problem |
| Kerala | Very good | Recognized for best healthcare in India! |
| Tamil Nadu | Excellent | Medical tourism destination |
| NCR | Top-tier | Most advanced technologies |
| Telangana | Very good | Affordable advanced care |
When my mother needed special heart treatment, we found amazing doctors in Kerala who had trained in the same US hospitals as her previous doctors.
She felt safe and cared for immediately!
Cost of Living: How Far Money Stretches 💰
Your money is like a rubber band – it stretches differently in different places!
| State | Housing Costs | Daily Expenses | Bang for Buck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | High in Bangalore | Moderate to High | Medium stretch |
| Maharashtra | Very high in Mumbai | Very high | Shortest stretch |
| Kerala | Moderate | Low | Great stretch! |
| Tamil Nadu | Moderate | Moderate | Good stretch |
| Gujarat | Moderate | Low to moderate | Very good stretch |
| Tier 2 cities (Jaipur, Indore, etc.) | Low | Low | Super stretchy! |
In Kochi, our money stretched much further than in California.
My son was amazed: “Dad, ice cream costs less than one dollar here! Can I have two scoops?”
Quality of Life: The Happiness Factor 😊
Some things just make life feel better:
| State | Traffic Situation | Pollution Levels | Green Spaces | Community Feel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | Challenging in cities | Moderate | Good parks | Very accepting |
| Maharashtra | Very challenging | High in Mumbai | Limited in cities | Fast-paced |
| Kerala | Improving | Very low! | Abundant nature | Strong community |
| Goa | Easy going | Low | Beautiful beaches | Relaxed lifestyle |
| NCR | Difficult | High | Good parks | Modern lifestyle |
| Hill states | Limited roads | Very low | Natural paradise! | Close-knit |
My wife, who loves nature, found Kerala’s greenery healing after years in concrete cities.
“I feel like I can breathe again,” she said during our first monsoon season as the world turned emerald green.
Three Special States Worth Extra Attention 🌟
Kerala: The Gentle Landing 🌴
Kerala is like jumping onto a soft pillow when you’re tired.
Why it’s amazing: Cleanest air, healthiest people, highest literacy, amazing healthcare, and the gentlest transition back to India. Perfect if you value quality of life over big city opportunities.
My experience: The relaxed pace helped our family adjust without culture shock. People spoke English widely, healthcare was excellent, and pollution was minimal. The international airport connects directly to Gulf countries and Singapore.
My son’s observation: “It’s like living in a nature documentary, Dad! Birds, trees, and beaches everywhere!”
Karnataka (Bangalore): The Career Playground 💻
Bangalore is like a trampoline for your career – it helps you bounce higher!
Why it’s amazing: India’s Silicon Valley with countless multinational companies, startups, and the most returned NRIs creating a familiar cultural environment.
My friend’s experience: My friend Raj returned to Bangalore from Seattle. His kids found friends whose families had similar journeys. International schools maintained continuity in education, and his tech career actually accelerated rather than slowed down.
His daughter said: “I miss my American friends, but my new school has kids from all over the world!”
Goa: The Lifestyle Heaven 🏖️
Goa is like finding a secret garden where life just feels easier.
Why it’s amazing: Beach lifestyle, relaxed atmosphere, international community, lower cost of living with high quality of life.
My cousin’s experience: After 15 years in London, my cousin chose Goa for its cosmopolitan yet relaxed vibe. Her family enjoys beaches, international cuisine, and a global mindset with Indian roots. Remote work makes this possible.
Her insight: “We have the best of all worlds – Indian culture, international community, natural beauty, and modern amenities.”
My Personal Experience: Finding Our Happy Place 🏡
When we moved back from California, we chose Kerala.
Why?
My aging mother needed support.
The clean air and greenery felt healing after years in urban America.
The excellent healthcare system gave us security.
The safe environment meant our son could play outdoors like I did in my childhood.
The international airport kept us connected to the world.
It wasn’t perfect – careers are more limited, and some conveniences we took for granted in the US aren’t as accessible.
But the tradeoff brought unexpected joys: stronger family bonds, a more sustainable lifestyle, and a sense of belonging my son never felt in America.
He summed it up perfectly: “Dad, I like that people know who I am here. In California, nobody knew our family stories.”
The Big Three Things to Remember 🌈
- No perfect state exists – each has sunshine and rain clouds! Think about what matters most to YOUR family.
- Try before you buy – visit different states for a few weeks each if possible. What looks good on paper might feel different when you’re there!
- Your happiness depends more on attitude than address – wherever you choose, a positive mindset makes any place better!
When my US-born son felt homesick for America in our first month, he asked if we made a mistake moving to India.
Six months later, building a treehouse with his cousins, learning to swim in the Arabian Sea, and enjoying the freedom to roam our neighborhood safely, he gave me the answer himself:
“Dad, I think my heart has enough space to love two countries.”
Isn’t that what finding the right state is all about? Finding a place where your heart feels at home, even when it belongs to two worlds?
What’s your situation? Which factors matter most to your family? Let me know, and I can share more specific insights for your unique journey home!