An NRI who spent more than two decades in the United States has shared why he eventually left behind his life there and returned to Mumbai, saying that the city “felt safer” to him.

According to The Economic Times, the man moved to the US at the age of 15. He later studied biomedical engineering in New York City, completing both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He went on to work in the pharmaceutical industry, obtained US citizenship and eventually started his own business.

Despite establishing what he described as a successful life in America, his priorities changed after his father was diagnosed with cancer and died at the age of 70. His mother, who was in her late 60s, remained in India and was caring for family members.

He said supporting his mother became the primary reason behind his decision to consider returning to India. At the time, he described himself as settled in his career and living what could be considered the “American Dream”, with a house, a dog and an established business.

The NRI said he first returned to India in 2018 and came back again in 2020, around the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said those experiences gradually strengthened his connection with India.

He eventually returned to the US in 2022, resigned from his pharmaceutical job, sold his company and began planning his permanent move. In 2023, he sold his house in Pennsylvania and relocated to Mumbai. After returning, he worked on consulting projects and technology-transfer assignments for Indian companies.

Reflecting on his decision, he said “It just felt safer in Mumbai.” He also highlighted the importance of reconnecting with childhood friends, whom he had known before moving to America.

While he acknowledged that he sometimes missed his friends and lifestyle in the US, he said the experience of being close to his mother, relatives and old friends had a different value for him.

His story, shared online, attracted supportive reactions from social media users, with several people praising his decision to prioritize family and personal connections.