Bengaluru: A 28-year-old tech professional has turned to the internet for advice on a major career and lifestyle decision — whether to relocate to Dublin, Ireland, or remain in Bengaluru with his wife and continue enjoying a financially comfortable life in India.
In a now-viral social media post, the techie said both opportunities offered substantial financial compensation, leaving him particularly torn over the decision.
Rs 90 lakh salary and ESOPs in Bengaluru
The techie said he recently joined a top artificial intelligence startup in Bengaluru with a fixed annual salary of Rs 90 lakh and approximately Rs 75 lakh a year in employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) benefits.
He described his current situation as offering a “very comfortable lifestyle and good purchasing power” while also allowing him to remain close to his family.
His wife, a business analyst by profession, is currently on a career break. The couple do not have children, which he said made the possibility of moving abroad seem easier at this stage of their lives.
Dublin offer comes with Rs 1.67 crore salary
The overseas opportunity offers an annual salary of €150,000, which the techie estimated at around Rs 1.67 crore, along with $50,000 in restricted stock units (RSUs) every year.
The company would also sponsor his visa.
Despite the higher headline salary, the techie said he was unsure whether the move would make financial sense after accounting for Irish taxes, rent and the higher cost of living.
“I could probably have a more comfortable lifestyle in India,” he said.
Dream of living abroad
For the techie, however, the decision is not purely financial.
He said he had always wanted to live abroad, experience Europe and travel extensively with his wife. Since they do not have children yet, he believes this could be the easiest time for the couple to experience life overseas.
The post has sparked discussion online, with the dilemma highlighting the difficult choice faced by high-earning professionals weighing financial comfort in India against international exposure and the experience of living abroad.
For the couple, the decision ultimately comes down to whether the experience of living in Europe is worth giving up some of the purchasing power and family proximity they currently enjoy in Bengaluru.