Ex-Microsoft techie quits Rs 2 crore job in US, moves to India: 'Changed my life for better'

Ujjwal Chadha also described lifestyle changes that came with returning to India, particularly in terms of time and social connection.

An Indian technology professional has said that leaving a high-paying role at Microsoft in the United States and relocating to India led to a significant improvement in his day-to-day life, citing financial flexibility, family time and freedom from visa-related uncertainty.

Ujjwal Chadha, who worked as a developer at Microsoft in the US for a little over three years, shared his experience in a post on X, stating that he earned approximately $250,000 (Rs 2,26,46,212 approximately) annually before deciding to move back to India for a remote role.

“I left my job as a Developer at Microsoft in US, and moved to India for a remote job opportunity. It changed my life for better,” Chadha wrote.

In his post, Chadha outlined three reasons behind his decision, beginning with what he described as the impact of purchasing power parity. He explained that while a quarter-million dollar salary is often viewed as substantial, its real value varies widely depending on location.

“In Seattle, $250k is ‘comfortable’,” he wrote.

By contrast, he said the same income translated into significantly greater financial security in India, particularly because he lives in a family-owned home in Delhi and does not pay rent.

“In Delhi, it is ‘Dynasty Wealth’ (Family House). My rent dropped 80%. My savings rate hit 90%. I stopped looking at menu prices,” Chadha stated.

Chadha also described lifestyle changes that came with returning to India, particularly in terms of time and social connection. He said his life in the US felt isolating, with long commutes and limited family interaction.

“No more lonely winters. No more frozen dinners. No more 2-hour commutes on the 101,” he wrote.

I left my job as a Developer at Microsoft in US, and moved to India for a remote job opportunity.

It changed my life for better: 1. The "PPP" Superpower: In Seattle, $250k is "comfortable." In Delhi, it is "Dynasty Wealth" (Family House). My rent dropped 80%. My savings rate… — Ujjwal Chadha (@ujjwalscript) February 9, 2026

After relocating, he said he now spends evenings with his parents and has access to domestic help, which has freed up time for personal pursuits.

“Now, I have chai with my parents every evening. I have a cook. I have a driver. I have time,” he wrote, adding, “Yes I pay them well.”

Addressing concerns that leaving a multinational company might be viewed as a professional setback, Chadha said he did not see the move as a step backwards. Instead, he argued that remote work allowed him to focus more clearly on his professional interests without the stress associated with immigration status.

“I didn't ‘step down.’ I stepped up. Remote work strips away the ‘visa anxiety.’ I focus purely on the building good products. And on my own ideas,” he wrote.

He concluded by saying the decision was not about slowing down professionally but about improving his overall quality of life.

“I didn't leave the US to retire. I left to actually live.”