An IITian couple, Nayrhit and Rishita Das, moved back to India after living in the US. Here's their honest comparison of 10 differences they noticed between the two countries after a year of living back in India.
1
In India, domestic help is far more accessible and affordable compared to the US. The IITian couple gained an extra 15-20 hours of free time each week—a luxury difficult to imagine in the US.
2
Traffic is a challenge in both countries, but the unpredictability and frustration levels in India are notably higher. The IITian couple remarked that the traffic problem doesn’t seem solvable in the near future.
3
India excels in digital convenience with efficient quick-commerce platforms. According to the IITian couple, services like UPI and instant deliveries are far superior in India compared to the US's Instacart and DoorDash.
4
Making deep personal connections is more challenging in the US, the IITian couple observed. Social interactions in the US often feel limited to coffee meetups, drinks, and work talk, unlike the close-knit personal bonds in India.
5
India’s UPI system triumphs over the US's Apple Pay. While both offer good user experiences, the IITian couple highlighted that UPI is free and government-backed, whereas Apple Pay charges transaction fees.
6
The IITian couple misses the orderly queues of the US. In India, lines at counters, cafes, and security checks can often become chaotic and frustrating.
7
Both countries excel in food, but the IITian couple enjoyed returning to India's Dosas and Biryanis. However, they occasionally miss the variety of cheese, bread, and desserts in the US.
8
For outdoor enthusiasts, the US has the edge. The IITian couple notes that if you love hiking, biking, or visiting beaches, the US offers more opportunities than India.
9
India still lags behind the US in LGBTQ+ acceptance. The IITian couple acknowledges progress in urban pockets but believes India still has a long way to go in embracing the LGBTQ+ community.
10
In both India and the US, the job market is competitive. However, the IITian couple observed that while jobs are available in India, achieving the same level of income and lifestyle as in the US is more challenging.