I’ve been working as a software engineer for ~10 years, currently based in Dubai for past couple of years. Lately I’ve been seriously considering quitting corporate life, moving back to Dehradun (India), and starting something of my own.

This isn’t an impulsive decision. Is is more like a slow-burn plan that has been forming over the past few months.

Why I want to leave

• Corporate fatigue after a decade in tech
• Increasing job instability and layoffs in the region (and the world, thanks to AI)
• Desire for autonomy and ownership of my time
• Want to be closer to family long-term, spend more time with them

I’m not chasing “get rich quick.” I’m aiming for a stable, sustainable life with agency, even if it’s less glamorous.

Current situation

• Age: 32
• Married, 1 child (family of 3)
• Own a house in Dehradun (no housing loan)
• Savings/assets roughly in the ₹50–60 lakh
• Still employed (not laid off… yet)
• No prior business experience in my family

What I’m thinking of doing

Not locked into one idea. Considering multiple options:

• Small local business (e.g., boutique run by my wife)
• EV charging station on Delhi–Dehradun corridor
• Hostel / rental property near educational hubs
• Service-based business
• Software/SaaS on the side
• Any boring but reliable cash-flow business, honestly

Goal: replace salary with dependable income.

Biggest fears

• Business failure → burning through savings
• Underestimating how hard it is to generate consistent income
• Being unable to return to corporate at the same level later
• Making a decision that negatively impacts my family

Why not stay in Dubai and save more?

I could, but:

• Job security feels very shaky. People are being laid off very frequently. And not just in my organization.
• Cost of living is high
• I don’t want to wake up at 40 still waiting for the “right time”
• Mental fatigue is real. I am busy with work most of the time and am unable to spend much time with my growing toddler or my wife.

What I’m hoping to learn from you

Especially from:

• People who left tech to start businesses
• People who returned to India after working abroad
• Business owners in tier-2 cities
• Anyone who tried and failed (those stories are gold)
• People who think this is a terrible idea (seriously)

Questions:

1. Am I being naive about replacing a tech salary with business income?
2. Is ₹50–60 lakh a reasonable runway for a family of 3 in a tier-2 city?
3. What kinds of businesses actually work in places like Dehradun?
4. What would you do differently in my position?
5. Should I start something before quitting? If so, what kind? I don't have much time at the moment to spare to build anything on side though.

Final note

I’m not looking for motivational quotes. I’m looking for grounded, real-world perspectives. Positive or negative.

If you’ve been in a similar situation, I’d really appreciate your insight.

Thanks for reading.