Should I stay in a country where I know I'll do financially better, or move back to my home country where I know I'll be happier, but I'll do worse off financially?

Hey y'all,

I (20M) have been in a dilemma about whether or not to stay in a country where I'll do better financially job wise, or move back to my home country where I'll be with family and happier with relationships. I'm about to graduate university this upcoming year, and I'm not sure what I want to do.

On one hand, the country I'm staying in now provides much higher pay and better opportunities as for job growth, but I've been feeling lonely and not been able to connect with people much due to cultural differences. On the other, my home country pays much less, but I feel more fulfilled there, family and relationship wise. My family are well off without me, so they don't necessarily depend on me for anything, both financially and health wise.

I plan on doing my own startup quite early, aiming for before 30. So, I'm not really concerned about earnings from my job all that much, as I do have ambitious goals and don't want to be stuck in the corporate ladder for all my life. Although the pay is worse in my home country, I feel like I'm able to connect with people better there and will have a easier time finding partners and friend groups who are on a similar path as me. I would appreciate any sort of guidance/inputs.

TLDR: Move back to home country where I'll find it easier to form relationships and stick close to family, or stay in a country where job opportunities and pay is much better.

Posted Dec 9, 2025, 9:34 AM UTC

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