Young Engineer Earning ₹1 Lakh Monthly Questions Whether Staying in India is Holding Him Back, Igniting Online Debate
A 23-year-old IT engineer, earning a monthly salary of ₹1 lakh, has stirred a heated discussion online after sharing his internal conflict in a Reddit post. Despite his solid earnings and a stable career, the young professional admitted feeling a sense of inadequacy compared to friends who have moved abroad for further studies.
The engineer revealed that while he feels confident in his ability to secure even higher-paying jobs within India, he is uncertain whether staying in the country will allow him to achieve the same quality of life that his friends are enjoying overseas. “I believe I earn well, but there’s still an inferiority complex nagging at me, making me question if I’m truly doing as well as I could be,” he wrote.
A significant source of his unease, he explained, comes from social media. Seeing the seemingly glamorous lives of his peers abroad has triggered feelings of envy. “Their stories and posts make me jealous, to be honest. Is staying in India inferior to settling abroad?” he asked the online community.
Should i move away from india though im doing well
byu/ThomasShelby027 indevelopersIndia
Although he is proud of his current job and the income it provides, the pressure to match the lifestyle of those who have moved overseas is making him reconsider his choices. “I don’t want to abandon a good job here, but the social pressure is making me feel inferior,” he admitted.
His post has received a wave of responses, with opinions varying widely. Some users pointed out that social media often induces FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and suggested that the engineer carefully weigh the risks before making any drastic decisions. One commenter noted, “You’re earning a great salary and staying close to your family—leaving all that behind because of what you see on social media might not be the best move.”
Others dismissed the idea of relocating based solely on social media comparisons as “unwise,” while several users emphasized the benefits of staying in India, such as proximity to family and a comfortable income. A more pragmatic approach was offered by one user who suggested that the engineer consider working abroad directly, bypassing the need for a master’s degree, as real-world experience might be more beneficial than further education.
This debate highlights the broader question faced by many young professionals in India—whether to pursue opportunities abroad or to build a successful life at home, despite the allure of an international lifestyle.
