Leaving the American Dream: Why I Traded a New York Salary for Home

Lamba’s journey began in 2021 when she moved to New York for a master’s in computer engineering at NYU. While the city fostered her professional confidence and pushed her toward a career in machine learning, the personal cost of the American dream became increasingly difficult to justify. Despite maintaining a stable social life and a high-paying job, the isolation of living thousands of miles from her parents created a persistent void that no salary could fill.

The logistical burden of the H-1B visa system further solidified her exit. Beyond the stress of securing stamping appointments, Lamba felt trapped by the limitations the visa placed on her career mobility and personal freedom. By returning to India, she regained the ability to pursue side projects, change employers, or launch a startup without the constant oversight of immigration authorities. Now residing in Gurugram, she is currently leveraging her savings to navigate the local job market, eyeing opportunities at firms like Mastercard and EY.

While she admits to missing the walkability of New York and the iconic skyline, the trade-off has been immediate. The daily anxiety of being separated from her family has been replaced by morning routines with her parents. For Lamba, the transition represents a shift from prioritizing career status to reclaiming autonomy and the small, domestic comforts that define her life at home.