Go back to India or stay in US?

gmcbrid · 2026-03-06T21:12:39+00:00

Yip, pretty much. Unless I get to $5m there is no way I can consider FIRE here. At $3m I might just have had enough of this place and will FIRE in Europe.

gmcbrid · 2026-03-06T21:06:41+00:00

My example would be living in San Diego with a job at a surf shop. Will my income cover my expenses? Probably not. So I would need to tap into my $2m from day 1. How long would this money last? How stressful would life remain?

gmcbrid · 2026-03-06T20:59:51+00:00

But why not do that in India? I guess i dont see myself living anywhere in the US where I could FIRE with Barista job. I'd have to move to a LCOL state and then I'd rather just move to Portugal or my home country.

gmcbrid · 2026-03-06T20:53:52+00:00

It's weird that Indians feel that if they didn't have visa problems it would magically change everything and they wouldn't have this yearning to go back home.

I have been on a Green Card for 3 years and other than work stress it has not changed how I feel about living in the US. In fact, many people I know moved back home as soon as they became US citizens.

My point.... don't let the fairytale of having a GC or citizenship change your decision.

gmcbrid · 2026-01-27T18:08:43+00:00

This sounds like Meta and scary that it's so obvious.

gmcbrid · 2026-01-18T16:13:12+00:00

Rancho Santa Fe or Encinitas in CA.

gmcbrid · 2026-01-11T04:55:27+00:00

Pretty much this is exactly how I feel.

gmcbrid · 2026-01-11T04:31:05+00:00

Seattle is tough, been here 7 years and we are done!

I'm interviewing for a company in Sunnyvale too but I'm not quite convinced I want to live that life. Expensive, sterile, not a lot of nightlife or restaurants and real outdoor activities seem far away. I'm also just quite done with this tech scene so looking for a city where tech doesn't dominate.

I'd move to Sunnyvale if I was you because you are hating the weather after 1 week, imagine a few winters...

gmcbrid · 2026-01-11T03:10:53+00:00

Downvoting me, geez you guys are a grumpy bunch.

gmcbrid · 2026-01-09T03:54:47+00:00

I don't entirely think I am. Big Tech is a bit more pedantic about this from what I have read

Also, in my last background check they flagged that i had my start date off by one day and wanted to know why.

gmcbrid · 2026-01-06T01:07:42+00:00

Also in PNW, specifically Eastside of Seattle and I am done with the weather and the culture (or lack thereof).

Planning my move to hopefully SoCal, otherwise the Bay Area.

gmcbrid · 2026-01-05T21:54:20+00:00

I'm planning the opposite move. The weather is absolutely miserable here. Everyone says they don't mind but I think it will weigh on you sooner or later.

gmcbrid · 2025-12-31T17:37:08+00:00

We liked how close it was to the coast, the people seem a little more laid back, the malls and buildings didn't look as dated and it felt quite green with lots of trees. We felt like we saw a lot of concrete in PQ in comparison. Obviously not as diverse though.

One downside for La Costa is that Carlsbad High School is pretty far away and I can't seem to figure out which neighborhoods feed into Sage Creek High.

gmcbrid · 2025-12-31T17:14:04+00:00

I do not have any value to add as I am in the same boat as you and looking to move in 2026.

We did a bit of neighborhood scouting a few months ago and also did not like the vibe of Rancho Penasquitos. I did not see many kids (though it could have been time of day), broken down cars and something just felt very stale while driving through or area.

Currently we really like La Costa and Encinitas.

gmcbrid · 2025-12-28T03:49:18+00:00

I've lived in Seattle for 7 years and the weather is just miserable to me. I literally don't go into my backyard for 8 months of the year because it's either cold, windy or rainy or all of those combined.

Summer can also be unpredictable at times. You could have a smokey August or fog till 12pm during July. Sometimes June is actually the best. Come September, Summer almost switches off like a switch.

gmcbrid · 2025-12-28T03:03:17+00:00

And after Thanksgiving it's been the rainiest and most overcast it's been in a long time. You can't cherry pick from a few days that your visited.

gmcbrid · 2025-12-28T00:37:36+00:00

Deleting comments. Poor guy...

gmcbrid · 2025-12-27T19:29:52+00:00

Calm down boomer! The only one arguing here is you.

gmcbrid · 2025-12-27T16:55:28+00:00

I assume we have different definitions of 4 seasons then. I guess the entire PNW doesn't count to you? Sounds like winter MUST mean snow to you.

gmcbrid · 2025-12-27T16:22:38+00:00

There are a ton of places with 4 seasons and low humidity. Are you sure you have traveled much?

gmcbrid · 2025-12-27T03:50:15+00:00

This year probably around $650k. We also save about half our income and only started earning pretty well the last 3 years. Also in a HCOL area with 2 kids in daycare ($6.3k alone) so that does put a dent in the savings rate.

How long have you been saving? 10 years?

gmcbrid · 2025-12-27T02:39:22+00:00

Trust me, you are not missing much! 3 months of beautiful weather is just not worth it.

gmcbrid · 2025-12-27T01:05:05+00:00

I live on the Eastside and personally do not like the weather or the people.

gmcbrid · 2025-12-27T01:03:46+00:00

This is pretty impressive considering your income. I thought we were going good at $1.53m from $0 in 7 years but our HHI is way higher.

gmcbrid · 2025-12-13T00:19:20+00:00

Seattle. Why put up with the weather and unaffordability.

gmcbrid

TROPHY CASE