IITian reveals why living in small mountain village is better than earning Rs 40 LPA in Bengaluru: 'You feel that your best years....'

For many professionals, securing a well-paid position in a major metropolitan city is often viewed as the ultimate career milestone. Yet, an IIT Kanpur alumnus recently shared on LinkedIn that relocating to a quiet mountain town transformed not only his lifestyle but also his perspective on success and fulfillment. His experience suggested that the place where a person lives can significantly influence their mindset, priorities, and overall sense of well-being.

Reflecting on his earlier life in Bengaluru, Arjav Modi described being 27 years old, earning an annual package of around ₹40 lakh, living in a spacious three-bedroom apartment, relying on ride-hailing services for daily travel, and using quick-commerce platforms for grocery deliveries. Despite enjoying financial stability and modern conveniences, he often found himself surrounded by exceptionally young professionals who had already achieved remarkable milestones. Constant exposure to people several years younger created feelings of inadequacy, making him believe he was falling behind in life. Although he possessed the career many aspire to, loneliness and emotional dissatisfaction frequently overshadowed his accomplishments.

After relocating to a small mountain village, his daily routine changed dramatically. He moved into a modest one-bedroom home and accepted a salary that was less than half of what he had earned in Bengaluru. Instead of depending on cabs, he either rode a scooter or walked to nearby places. Grocery shopping became an enjoyable evening activity, often accompanied by beautiful sunsets and leisurely walks with his partner. The local community was largely made up of people in their thirties and beyond who appeared content, welcoming, and genuinely happy with their lives. Their outlook encouraged him to believe that his finest years were still ahead rather than already behind him.


Looking back after four months in his new hometown, Modi concluded that a person's surroundings play a major role in shaping thoughts, emotions, and behaviour.

Responding to comments, he clarified that his post was not intended to persuade everyone to abandon city life for the mountains. Instead, he urged people to avoid the trap of constantly comparing themselves with unusually young high achievers. According to him, public attention often celebrates extraordinary success at an early age while overlooking the quieter joys of later life, such as building meaningful relationships, raising a family, and finding lasting contentment.