IIT Graduate, 33, Quits Job In London To ‘Retire’ In Delhi, His Reasons Are...

In an unconventional move, a 33-year-old IIT graduate, employed in London, recently decided to retire early and return to Delhi. His story, shared on Reddit, gained significant attention with San Francisco-based Debarghya Das summarising the key aspects of the decision in a viral post. The individual, who prefers to remain anonymous, cited six main reasons for his early retirement, shedding light on his journey and plans.

Captioning the post, he wrote, “A 33-year-old single IITian working in London moves back to ‘retire’ in Delhi after ~$1.5-2.5M in savings, or ₹12-20cr. His biggest reasons are: Being with parents, house help, cheaper, declining social life abroad, bearish on the UK economy, getting an arranged marriage in India.”

Career

The individual provided a detailed account of his career, mentioning his graduation from IIT Delhi in 2012. With a background in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, he worked as a quant in an investment bank in Bangalore for four years before moving to London. Over the next five years, he continued working in investment banking before transitioning to the tech industry for the final two years. The trajectory of his total career spanned 11 years, marked by significant increases in his Total Compensation (TC).

Burn Rate

After deciding to move back to India, the retiree calculated his annual expenses to ensure a comfortable life. Living with his parents significantly reduced his burn rate compared to his London lifestyle, making it 0.25-0.5X. The major recurring expenses included cabs, restaurants, and a gym membership, with occasional one-off expenditures for flights and personal projects.

Back to India

Expressing a long-term desire to return to India, the retiree emphasised the importance of being there for his parents and the overall ease of settling down in his home country. The decision was also influenced by the perceived high cost of living in the UK, making retirement there less appealing.

Current Lifestyle

Reflecting on life priorities, the individual highlighted health and relationships as the main focus. The move to Delhi aligns with a shift towards prioritising these aspects over a high-stress work environment.

Portfolio

Despite working in investment banking, the retiree admitted to not actively investing during most of his 20s. His main focus was on earning and saving, with investments taking a back seat. Long-term goals include prudent financial management and exploring investment opportunities after settling in India.

Long-Term Goals

The retiree shared his aspirations for the future, including finding a life partner, starting a family, and expressing a unique goal of adopting 1000 children. These objectives underscore a holistic approach to life beyond the constraints of a demanding career.

While the Reddit post generated mixed reactions, it brought attention to the concept of Financial Independence and Early Retirement (FIRE). Questions about the individual’s need for employment in India and concerns about Delhi’s air quality sparked discussions among users. A Reddit user expressed gratitude to Debarghya for sharing his story, leaving the online community intrigued by this unconventional journey into early retirement.