An Indian tech couple living in Ireland for more than a decade say they plan to move back to Pune by May next year, citing rising work pressure, concerns about artificial intelligence and the lack of family support while raising their two daughters.The couple shared their plans in a Reddit post, saying their children currently spend most of their day in childcare and school-related arrangements because the family has no relatives nearby.They said their routine in Ireland typically runs from 8am to 6pm, with the children moving between creche, breakfast club, school and after-school care while both parents work.“In Pune they walk out of school into their grandparents’ home. This single picture does more work in my decision than any spreadsheet,” they wrote.The couple said returning to Pune would mean their daughters could spend more time with their grandparents, while the family would also have help with cooking and household chores.
Spent 11 years in Ireland
After 11 years in Ireland, the couple said they no longer wanted to manage work, childcare and household responsibilities without family support.They also said they were increasingly worried about the pressure created by technological and AI changes in the workplace.The couple argued that their parents’ ability to spend time with their grandchildren is more valuable now than waiting another decade.“The grandparents’ healthy years are now. Not in 10 years, when we’d return for hospital duty instead of daily life,” they wrote.They said their parents had previously visited Ireland for a month but found the experience difficult, making a permanent move there unrealistic.
‘I don’t feel rooted here’
The couple also described a sense of detachment after spending more than a decade in Ireland.They said they had built a functional life there but still did not feel they had developed deep roots.“After 11 years I don’t feel rooted here myself,” they said.They also described missing the everyday family and cultural connections they associate with India, arguing that celebrations and social life felt different when experienced away from their wider family.The couple said they had generally found Ireland more welcoming than the UK or US, but still felt that subtle experiences of being an outsider could affect children growing up there.
Internet reacts
Several users responded with their own experiences of living in Ireland.One user said they had moved to Ireland only recently with an infant but were already considering returning to India.“I’m in Ireland as well; I moved here recently(not even months) and am still feeling that I should move back to India. We moved here with our infant thinking it’ll be better for her future, but considering the health and the daily hustle here, it feels like India would be better. She can decide for herself whether she wants to move back here or not, but we definitely are moving back within a year.”Another user said changing attitudes towards immigration could also influence people’s decisions to remain in Ireland or Britain.“I would add one more reason to do so: Ireland and Britain are on a trajectory of becoming less and less welcoming to immigration. Ireland and especially the Britain that is now is not what it will be in 5 years.”A third user responded:“Wish you all the best! Good decision.”