Dec 30, 2012 05:56 AM
55107 Views
It seems like yesterday as I can remember all the detail of coming to US in 1986 with just 60 dollars in my pocket, no friend, no place to go from the Airport, not even the tuition for my first semester as I came as a foreign student. But I was a dreamer and I had a vision to achieve something in life. Fast forward my hard work and dedication made me quite successful in the last 25 years. But something inside started to bother me more like a feeling of emptiness and I lost total interest in making money and business etc. I moved out of US to Dubai in 2005. I can share with you a little of what kind of issues I faced in moving back, pro and cons. I soon realized after moving to Dubai that I do not like the place.
Its a modern city, quite developed and close to Pakistan the main reason for me to select it for living. But what I learned after moving was the real racism and open discrimination by Arabs towards both Indians and Pakistanies. and for me all the niceties of Dubai faded away. I did not care that it was a nice city to live or safe or whatever. Compare to US it was horrible. Arabs treat others like garbage, discrimination based on skin color is very accepted and very visible. I plain hated that place so I moved back to US again. I decided to move to Karachi in 2009 to see if I can adjust to it. What surprised me that it took only a month before I got fully adjusted. There were power outages, there were street crimes, pollution and noise and countless other issues. Yet I felt that its where I belong. I felt instant connection with people. I loved the family gatherings, and the respect showed to me by youngers. I loved the bazaars and the real day to day life. The cost of living was also much lower. I extended my one month stay to three months and now its over 3 years and I don't feel like moving back to US or leaving Pakistan.
Power outages don't bother me as much as I bought a generator, security issues and street crimes are there so I try not to flaunt money or use my iphone in public. I also do not drive and have a driver. So yes there are issues in moving back to your own country. But try looking 10-20 years ahead. Do you see yourself old and sitting alone in a nice scenic town or surrounded by familiar people with a lot more interaction. Try to do some retirement planning, Can you infact support yourself in your old age. These are real questions. USA or Canada or UK are all great countries to live in my opinion when you are young and healthy say around 50. But to live there over 60 you should better have a good plan. I am 46 now and I think it was a good decision for me to move back.
