He rejected 'dollar paycheck' in Singapore to live in Bengaluru: Techie walks away from dream job. Is it the right choice?

At a time when thousands of Indian professionals are looking abroad for better salaries, global exposure and stronger career growth, moving back home after securing a well-paying overseas job is not a choice many would make. For years, countries such as Singapore have been among the most sought-after destinations for Indian engineers seeking financial stability and professional success. Yet one Bengaluru-bound techie has revealed why he walked away from what many would consider a dream career.

Aman Vaishnav, a senior machine learning engineer, recently shared on Instagram that he had left Singapore and returned to India despite enjoying a high-paying job and the lifestyle that comes with earning in dollars. His story has since sparked conversations online about career ambitions, personal priorities and what success really means.

Leaving behind a dream many engineers chase

In the video, Vaishnav explained that the decision was influenced by personal circumstances that he chose not to disclose publicly.


“I left a life for almost every Indian engineer dreams of. Hi, I am Aman, senior ML Engineer, and I left Singapore last month. Good salary, dollar paycheck, the whole thing. I made a choice. Some circumstances happened, personal ones, the kind you don't post about. So I packed up, I came back,” he said.

The engineer acknowledged that from the outside, his life in Singapore appeared ideal. A stable job, international experience and strong earnings are often seen as markers of success, particularly among young professionals.

‘Most people thought I was crazy’

Vaishnav said many people around him struggled to understand his decision to leave Singapore and return to India.

“Most people thought I was crazy. Do I know if it was the right decision? Honestly, not yet. Ask me in two months. But I know this, I've never made a decision from fear. At some point, you have to choose between the life that looks good and the life that feels right. I chose the second one,” he said.

His comments reflected a dilemma many professionals face but rarely discuss openly — whether to continue pursuing a path that appears successful or choose one that aligns more closely with personal needs and circumstances.

Starting from scratch in Bengaluru

Now back in India, the 26-year-old says he is rebuilding his life in Bengaluru. Rather than viewing the move as a setback, he sees it as the beginning of a new chapter.

“I am 26, starting over in a new city. Building from scratch. Some chapters don't make sense while you're living them, and maybe that's exactly what makes them worth doing,” he said.

Vaishnav admitted that he still does not know how the decision will play out in the long run. However, he believes some choices only reveal their value with time.

The video received supportive reactions from several Instagram users, many of whom praised his honesty and courage.

One user wrote, “This line hit me hard: ‘You don’t need a perfect life, you need the right one.’” Others commented, “You’re going to do well,” “I wish you best of luck,” “Praying for your bright future,” and “Proud of you man.”