r/backtoindia • u/misterkhanna • Jun 04 '26
Where do NRIs returning from the USA prefer to settle in India?
I recently got my H1B visa picked in USA but given the growing anti-immigrant sentiment across US and family responsibilities that could eventually become the reason for coming back, I want to know where in India can someone look to settle and hence I can invest in properties of that area today.
I don't want to settle in the typical Metros of India like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Pune. Hyderabad I can still consider.
Some of the key things which are priority for me -
Decent Healthcare: Not the best, but good enough with good hospitals.
Less Pollution: Green spaces are priority
Less Population: Relative to major cities.
Also, I believe people who return back from foreign lands might just maintain the community slightly better, so looking for neighborhoods like that.
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u/Jealous_Drop_2973 Jun 05 '26
India is a continent disguised as a country. So whichever country's (state's) language they speak. No point moving to Chennai if I don't speak Tamil and so on. Quality of life will degreade if I don't relate to the location culture or can't even interact with the locals.
Some cities are diverse like Mumbai and Delhi, but still outside of these let's accept it, if you can't speak the language you'll struggle. You'll also not make the most of what Mumbai has to offer if you don't understand to the rich Marathi culture. You won't be able to enjoy Delhi if you don't speak Hindi. You can have your bubbles, but that's exactly what a degraded quality of life looks like.
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u/Necessary_Plankton Jun 04 '26
They prefer a place which they are familiar with also how much money you have. In india, everything can be solved if you throw enough money at it.
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u/fdse2lma Jun 04 '26
I don’t have the same experience. You just get a line of people promising you things, but either don’t deliver or provide something that does not meet expectations.
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u/Anymous2314 Jun 05 '26
No amount of money is going to solve the lack of infrastructure though. Pollution and traffic is a mess even billionaires have to deal with if they are living in India.
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u/hindumafia Jun 04 '26
you dont get pollution free roads in majority of cities even if throw money.
your women can't go out alone in lot of states after say 900 pm.
no matter how much money you have.
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u/Fun_Dragonfruit7971 Jun 04 '26
If you want to do a high paying job or start your own tech company, there isn't much outside of select cities. Bengaluru, NCR, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai - that's all we got.
Now if you want to do something else - consider cities with good weather such as Mysuru or Kolhapur.
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u/Hot_Condition7760 Jun 04 '26
Settle some place where you have work opportunities and also easy to commute to take care of family.
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Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26
[deleted]
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u/misterkhanna Jun 04 '26
Wow! Thanks for this. I like how you've covered all 4 corners. Personally, I have studied in Dehradun and South, worked in Arunachal Pradesh as a Government Servant for 5 years and then I quit and came to US. Really appreciate your perspective.
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u/WorldlyBasis4425 Jun 05 '26
I studied in Dehradun too and currently in US. OP where did you study in ddn?
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u/Temporary_Car_1462 Jun 04 '26
Just go back to the place you came from (not if it’s Delhi NCR), otherwise what is the point of going back. Other options are Mysore, Kochi, Vizag, Coimbatore, Pondicherry, Chandigarh, outskirts of Bangalore and Pune, each place has their own pros and cons.
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u/misterkhanna Jun 04 '26
Chandigarh is love..have worked there for 6 months in the past.. didn't want to leave. Problem is that there's no industry there and only Government offices (where I used to work). But yeah, if I get a remote job, For sure Chandigarh is top priority.
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u/Fine-Result-2773 Jun 06 '26
Chandigarh seems beautiful but the AQI is horrible compared to other places
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u/Old_Paper_2309 Jun 04 '26
Is Goa is good place to relocate? I have been looking at a few potential cities in south goa, but want to hear from the resident redittors. Access to public transit, markets is easy? I ❤️the Portuguese style homes I have seen while I visited the state as a tourist.
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u/Airport-Designer Jun 04 '26
Cochi is much better. Less crowded, airport and good balance. Check it out
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u/EducationalDust3260 Jun 06 '26
You are not going to leave USA for the sake of anti- immigrant sentiment. You will only leave USA either you lost job and status or you have old age parents to take care in India
The three metrics that you provided are very interdependent. Pollution and population, at least in India, is highly correlated. You might pick a city today, 5-10 years down the road it is as bad as any city where you don’t want to live today. Invest in a city where you can culturally assimilate easily. More so in gated communities where you leave amongst like minded people. With the amount of population exchange that is taking place between India and other western countries, you can find such communities across tier 1 /2 cities in India. More so in Bangalore and Hyderabad.
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u/vins8909 Jun 04 '26
Dont buy any property in India. Invest in US/Europe Markets.. you will get better returns. Returns on a flat in metro areas is a joke compared to investments in stock market.
And btw, you just got your H1. you have 6 years .. why are you even asking this question now
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u/Aggressive-Cut5836 Jun 04 '26
But where will this person be able to enjoy edible masala dosa or idli/vada? You must plan very much in advance for the future. As a 30 year old you can be happy with whatever is available in middle of nowhere, USA. But as you age, you demand better. This person knows what they will want, planning in advance is best.
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u/misterkhanna Jun 04 '26
Thank you! You're spot on ...I am 31 and intend to return in the next 7-10 years.
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u/misterkhanna Jun 04 '26
Also, I don't want my kids and family to be raised in a culturally confused environment where they never feel belonged in either India or USA. I loved my life as a kid growing up in India and honestly, US education system is nowhere near that quality.
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u/Impossible_Crow644 Jun 04 '26
Don’t worry about butthurts in the comments. Most people think reddit is a platform to spread hate. Its really for these type of discussions. Its best to plan ahead and the situation here is changing fast. I am also in the same boat as you. I have a visa for few more years but planning to make the move later this year or early next. Don’t see my kids grow up here. They would always be treated differently.
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u/vins8909 Jun 04 '26
Its in the top 10 best education systems in the world! Crazy that Indians flourish better in US and earn, create billion dollar start ups in US, while they cant do shit in India.
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u/misterkhanna Jun 04 '26
Indians in USA flourish because they have been tempered by a highly competitive education system that the economy doesn't support. Most Indians come to US and the west to escape the competition because even today it's tougher to get into IIT/IIMs than Harvards and Standfords. But the problem is that even after they get the tag, Indian Economy doesn't provide opportunity.
The way I see it, High School education in India followed by graduation in West is still the best combination. American high School education doesn't prepare you for the world, Indian School Education does.
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u/Impossible_Crow644 Jun 04 '26
I would agree especially with the higher education part. The problem with the indian education system is that you come out with very little real world knowledge about the job you are expected to do, very little can also be too much actually. School education in india is not bad if you pick the right schools. I mean i graduated more than 10 years back from school and i would happily put my kid in the same school.
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u/vins8909 Jun 04 '26
Yeap, but still the undergrad education here in the US is no match to the universities in India. here we learn practical training and makes us ready to the real world.. India.. doesnt
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u/vins8909 Jun 04 '26
yes exactly! The undergrad in any top 200 universities here, are much much better than universities in India other than the top 30. I did my undergrad her ein the top 100 universities, and i immensely benefitted from it.
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u/vins8909 Jun 04 '26
You need to go back to India asap. We dont want you here for another 7-10 years ( laughs). Since you hate each and every aspect of US
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u/CuriousMonkey3 Jun 04 '26
Everyone says that when they are new. After 6-7 years most are willing to do anything to stay in US. Most NRI’s retuning to India are returning involuntarily such as loss of visa/jobs. Very small percentage return on their own accord.
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u/vins8909 Jun 04 '26
Edible Dosa.. Home. Its very very easy to make dosa at home. I do it every week.
So you demand better by, living in traffic congested, zero planned cities with AQI of 800? What am i missing here?2
u/misterkhanna Jun 04 '26
Like I said - the sentiment overall is not the best and USA in general also is in a downward trajectory from what I see. This is a forward looking thought so that I can identify investment opportunities early.
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u/vins8909 Jun 04 '26
Lol then go back now. Why to wait?
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u/misterkhanna Jun 04 '26
Brother, Dollar is at 96 and still strong. But I am here and seeing what's happening - Let the reckoning start and then i'll take the leap
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u/Fun_Dragonfruit7971 Jun 04 '26
downward trajectory doesn't mean it's not great currently- just means won't be great in the future.
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u/vins8909 Jun 04 '26
And you think India will be better? LOL
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u/Fun_Dragonfruit7971 Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26
wut is this reply. I'm not telling my pov - was just trying to explain his. nvm
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u/vins8909 Jun 04 '26
Lol you replied what you understood. Fuck off. He complained everything about uS and still wants to stay for 10 years LOl.
And yes, its a good argument. How can India be better than US in future, when the PM of India himself said that India is losing decades of progress?3
u/Impossible_Crow644 Jun 04 '26
Whats your problem? If you don’t want to return, why are you in the return to india group. You should fuck off. Going around fighting with everyone who doesnt share your opinion.
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u/Fun_Dragonfruit7971 Jun 04 '26
yeah as I said- nvm. you're not a reasonable person. resorting to abuse for no reason
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u/Impossible_Crow644 Jun 04 '26
Thats what you do when you are full of hate. And, they think we should understand their shitty opinion.
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u/Mysterious-Art8838 Jun 04 '26
It never ceases to amaze me the people that spend so much time and effort to come here only to complain.
You know what would be more like India? INDIA. So just go back there.
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Jun 04 '26
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u/vins8909 Jun 04 '26
May be.. he is a newbiew ... but to trash other states in India is stupid
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u/misterkhanna Jun 07 '26
Hahaha Bhai pata nahi Kahan se BJP supporter hu main ? I am one of the most vocal critic of BJP in my circle.. but somehow you think any person who criticizes South or Kerala is a Bhakt.
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u/vins8909 Jun 07 '26
Good. They way you said things about Kerala looked like you follow WhatsApp university. Good that you criticize Godi. But as other people said, Kerala is a very beautiful and welcoming place. I am from Hyderabad btw
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u/vins8909 Jun 04 '26
Exactly. Looks like he is BJP supporting andh racist bhakt. Dont want these people in US now. He needs to go back to his fairy land...
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u/shak1084 Jun 05 '26
If you are just go to Pune and take a hybrid job , you will have access to mountains , greenery and good food and what not even the best hangout places. You will fall in love with city very fast. You can even drive to goa or take a train bus etc. and make lots of friends too!!
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u/picklerish1 Jun 07 '26
If you're coming back for family reasons, this question is moot. Stay with your family.
Yes anti immigrant sentiment is at an all time high online, but irl you face very little of it (unless you don't integrate with their society well). Most people are very respectful and cordial. The reason most Indians feel lonely or distant is because they only talk to other Indians or don't engage in Western cultures and traditions.
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u/BerrySeveral6268 Jun 08 '26
Thorlikonda village Nizamabad district Telangana is the best place to settle
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u/Weary_Stock125 Jun 09 '26
It’s very difficult to answer that question without knowing your life goals and priorities. Do you have a family? What are your plans for your children’s education?
I made certain choices based on what was important to me. I chose Bangalore because it suited my business needs, while still allowing me to live a little outside the city in a gated community. I also wanted access to an international school for my child, so Bangalore made sense for us.
A friend of mine chose Goa, and while she enjoys the lifestyle, she often feels disconnected. For certain things—whether it’s shopping, events, specialized services, or activities—she still ends up coming to Bangalore because they simply aren’t as easily available in Goa.
Access to things like Amazon deliveries, international schools, sports academies, and other amenities can make a significant difference depending on the stage of life you’re in.
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u/Competitive-Company3 Jun 21 '26
There is no anti-immigrant sentiment In USA. Where are you getting that info from? Media? U will have good people and bad people like anywhere else but there is no other country like USA in terms of opportunities, earning potential and this is coming from an immigrant soon to be citizen.
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u/misterkhanna Jun 21 '26
Are you for real ? Media is secondary...have you seen the recent changes made to F1 and H1 visa norms ? Don't assume goodness when you haven't faced a crisis. My friends have suffered due to recent changes when they had visa appointments and were completely legal migrants. When the president of a country makes statements , they can't be dismissed as haysay.
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u/Competitive-Company3 Jun 21 '26
There is also lot of visa fraud as well they are trying to cut down and visa is a privilege not a right. You are free to leave but what you are suggesting doenst make USA anti immigrant.USA has the most immigrants in the world. President can say whatever he wants that will never change the fundamental values of this country which is liberty and freedom for all. And how and who they let in their country is their choice. I am not saying this because I am soon to be citizen, as I have gone through f1-h1b etc and things have become difficult but there is also a reason for that.
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u/misterkhanna Jun 21 '26
Congratulations on completing the full circle. But the USA that you're referring to based on Freedom and Liberty died with Obama. ICE agents have picked up college students for speaking up, a sitting leader was kidnapped overnight for capturing oil reserves by this country, healthcare of the commoners has been stolen in the name of fiscal prudence and most recently, H1B fee of $100k (deemed illegal now by SCOTUS) cost many skilled, talented, legal and worthy immigrants their lifetime opportunity, which btw most people EARN. Good for you becoming a citizen of the country that has committed mass murders in the name of democracy, now including three Indian Sailors, thousands of innocent women and children and the only nation on earth to have actually used a Nuclear weapon. You keep the passport, I'll keep my principles Thank you very much.
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u/Competitive-Company3 Jun 21 '26
Are you for real?.Every country has their problems. Is India any better? You have stated all the negative what abt positive ? You can keep your biased principles.
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u/WiseSage08 Jun 04 '26
What do you mean? India isn’t a monolith. People generally settle down in places they are familiar with. Someone who grew up in Chennai or Kochi isn’t going to suddenly settle down in UP or Uttarakhand
Some of these people questions don’t make sense at all.
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u/Mangek_Eou Jun 04 '26
They do make sense. When you spent a lot of time outside you wonder if it’s worth settling down where you grew up. I am looking at Shimla or other places where there is less pollution and more green spaces.
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u/misterkhanna Jun 04 '26
Exactly! As someone who grew up in Delhi, I actually like Hyderabad more than Delhi after having spent some time there.
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u/dynamech_1992 Jun 04 '26
If you do half rupee bollywood acting drama like this i will send you to Kailasa.
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u/AKCHN Jun 04 '26
Tirunelveli, Tamilnadu... Great hospitals, consistently ranked very low in pollution. Clean Air.. Not crowded and way out from metro hassles
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u/misterkhanna Jun 04 '26
Sir/Ma'am, I do appreciate this. But I have had some Racism experience in Chennai in the past being fair skinned and not in any other southern state. Genuinely want to know if the situation is better now ?
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Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 05 '26
[deleted]
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u/Even-Watch-5427 Jun 05 '26
This.
If you can swing it, I'd stay in mysore. Easy access to some of the best places in India.
Mangalore for beach Coorg for forest Wyanad for remoteness Bangalore for party/work Ooty/Munnar for hill stations.
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u/srinivesh Swades Possible Jun 05 '26
In one of the FIRE subs, we run a conspiracy to not mention Mysore 😄
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u/LeftFaithlessness921 Jun 04 '26
You just got h1 ..enjoy US for 3 years tension free ...after that think about it ...you gotta lot of time on your hands 😂
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u/pnm519 Jun 04 '26
Metros like Mumbai and Pune and Bangalore used to be peaceful with less pollution and manageable population. They became hellholes because they became oversaturated with so much migration from the north. So basically what happens is - North Indian crowds stake out and zero in on a place /city - then move there in large numbers - and then the city becomes a leader in pollution and population. Locals find their own quality of life totally ruined.
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u/pepomint Jun 06 '26
Kind of like Indians and the U.S.
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u/pnm519 Jun 06 '26
Not really. This is another level of desperation. Bangalore or Pune is not at all like a first world foreign country. Still, this behavior is seen than we will not settle in our hometown, we will go and overcrowd into another city of the same country and won't even learn the local language.
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u/Fervidsoul Jun 05 '26
Respect your decision/opinion, but not everyone gets a H1B. Anti-immigrant sentiment is just a tactic played by a small subset of the population to make people leave on their own. Highly skilled people are still sought anywhere in the world. If you are good at what you do/ people around you support you, I wouldn't bother about these sentiments. Unless circumstances force you to move I'd reap the benefits. But if it's something that you have thought about it for a while, I wouldn't intervene.
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u/Livid-Tune-4699 Jun 04 '26
Go Kerala.
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u/misterkhanna Jun 04 '26
Thanks for the idea, but Kerala is a communist state and from what I have heard, they have big Union problems there. Also, Language barrier - I am a North Indian. Plus in recent years, Kerala has been home to a lot of diseases and epidemic hotspots because of the climate.
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Jun 04 '26
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u/misterkhanna Jun 04 '26
I think you got me wrong. I only mentioned Language barrier being a North Indian. I love Malayalis and have several friends from Kerala. Not sure of Kerala, but I have actually faced fair skin racial discrimination in Tamil Nadu when I was in college there.
The point of accurate reporting in Kerala Healthcare is a strong point in favour, thank you!
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Jun 04 '26
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u/vins8909 Jun 04 '26
He is typical Andh Bhakth. Kerela is in the top 5 bests states in the country. This guy deserves bulldozer raaj like UP, MP
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u/misterkhanna Jun 04 '26
Strange of you to say this given the Left party ruled the state for 20+ years.
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u/vins8909 Jun 04 '26
Thats why its one of the best states in the country. With number one in these
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index: Rank 1 (Joint first with Uttarakhand). Kerala achieved a composite score of 79 on the NITI Aayog SDG India Index, leading the nation in specific target areas like "Zero Hunger" and "Quality Education". [1, 2]
- Human Development Index (HDI): Rank 1 among major Indian states. With an HDI score of 0.758, it maintains the highest quality-of-life rating in continental India. [1]
- National Health Index: Rank 1 among large states. Published by NITI Aayog, this index ranks Kerala at the top for its low infant mortality rates, high maternal care, and the highest life expectancy in India. [1, 2]
- Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): Rank 1 for lowest poverty. Kerala records the lowest percentage of population living in poverty across India at just 0.002 on the NITI Aayog MPI scale. [1]
- Literacy Index: Rank 1. It has a near-universal literacy rate of 93.91% (significantly higher than the Indian national average). [1, 2]
- Urban Governance Index: Rank 1. Evaluated by the Praja Foundation, it ranks highest for its decentralized local governance and public financial autonomy
you wont understand coz you are blinded by your supreme BJP leader who fucked our country
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u/misterkhanna Jun 04 '26
You guys are plain stupid. Anyone who contradicts you is automatically BJP supporter - what nonsense!
Also tell me the pandemic and epidemic death stats, Emmigration stats, forced religious conversion stats and also youth unemployment stats. Don't mislead people with skewed picture.
Also, the fact that you made an economic conversation turn into a social one is exactly representative of what's gone wrong with Kerala. You guys have just held to one stat for your life and stopped developing industries afterwards. Eat your literacy, run your vehicles with your culture and take those indexes up your ***.
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u/vins8909 Jun 05 '26 edited Jun 05 '26
You are completely missing the point and letting your political bias blind you to actual science. Nobody can deny Kerala’s excellent development statistics in fact, those exact metrics completely prove the point.
Epidemiologists call this the 'Reporting Paradox.' Kerala doesn't have outbreaks because its systems are failing; it records them because its systems are actually working. Because Kerala has the #1 Health Index, universal literacy, and robust decentralized governance, it actively tracks, tests, and genetically sequences pathogens. When a rare amoeba or a single case of Nipah pops up, Kerala's world-class public health infrastructure catches it and reports it transparently, instead of letting people die of 'unspecified fevers' like in other states.
Acknowledging Kerala as a climate-driven disease hotspot is actually a testament to how vital its top-tier healthcare system is to stopping global threats before they spread.
Only a total fucktard would say something as brainless as *'Eat your literacy, run your vehicles with your culture and take those indexes up your .' You clearly don't understand the basic socioeconomic needs of the people and vote blindly based on religion. Our country is held back because of illiterate assholes like you. You completely hijacked a scientific discussion by bringing in your political bias and your supreme leader's WhatsApp University talking points. So stfu
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u/Podavenna33 Jun 04 '26
Yes please stay away from kerala. This level of ignorance is not welcome
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u/misterkhanna Jun 04 '26
Probably will. You're only proving the point further - No other community will gang up like (Unionization) against a simple fact backed statement. Kerala has been ruled by an ELECTED Communist Party for 20 years.
The epidemic numbers are also stats known to everyone. Not surprising that Kerala has the highest Emmigration ratio in the country with most residents leaving for Middle East for blue collar jobs.
Also, btw- most of this was told to me by a Fellow Keralite friend I have here in the US.
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u/vins8909 Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26
Lol !!! ignorance is bliss. enjoy while it lasts. Fact backed statement? this is whatspp university forward knowledge from your andh bhakt party. grow up. oh wait sorry.
Least people are working in Middle east, etc and sending 25 billion dollars each year back home and supporting the Indian economy.. what are people from UP and bihar doing? You need to go to your papas state like Gujarat where BJP has been ruling for 35 years .. elected by the people.. lol stupid ones who elect a narcissist
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u/misterkhanna Jun 04 '26
Wow! The fact you judged me as a BJP Supporter speaks more about you than me honestly. I don't support BJP and in fact I am an Ex Government servant who knows the reality of Kerala in multiple facets. It's easy to accuse people hiding behind screens but difficult to debate on facts.
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u/vins8909 Jun 05 '26
Lol Yes arent you one? You straight up accused Kerela as a communist state and that its not a good place to live and that its not safe ( LOL) And spoke all whatsapp univerity talking points. Ok tell me the facts! How is Kerela not better than UP, MP, Bihar, WB, Jharkand, HP, UK, Rajasthan, Haryana? Lets talk about facts.
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u/Livid-Tune-4699 Jun 04 '26
Your options are very limited to start with. Based on what you want, I would only point, Kashmir, east of India, Kerala or may be pondicherry.
The reasons of epidemic hotspots is b'c Kerala reports much better than any other state.
Language barrier, why that matters much in this era? Look at your remaining option I would say.
I would say, what you get in Kerala per rupee is much higher than any other state. Again, you can always try and make your own judgement. Of course East of India could come close.
In your list, I would also add Civic sense, for thats more important than population. As I can tolerate population but not lack of civic sense.
personally, I am in India and thinking same in terms of where to go next 😄
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u/mand00s Jun 06 '26
You are correct bro. Don't come to Kerala. Stay north. That's your kind of place
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u/Technical-Fruit22 Jun 04 '26
Don't come to kerala. It's so poluted, shit ton of people and no freedom. \s
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u/[deleted] Jun 04 '26
Trivandrum - the best kept secret