Akshay and Anushri’s relocation story - Powered by Excel

Eight years ago, this charismatic couple relocated from India to Singapore and created an extraordinary story along the way.

Akshay is a Software Engineering Developer who’s currently leading the Mobile App team at Grab, after working with Samsung and various startups in India. Anushri’s journey is equally inspiring – she fearlessly transitioned from being a lawyer to becoming a skilled UX-UI designer. Akshay and Anushri embody a nomadic, travel-loving mindset. With their charm, knack for planning, and Excel sheet professionalism, they’ve truly mastered the art of making anywhere feel like home.

From India to Singapore: A well-planned adventure

Seeking new horizons

When asked what prompted their move to Singapore, Akshay shared, “I always felt the need to explore beyond India’s borders – international exposure holds immense value for me. I considered a few places, but Singapore stood out to me, especially after a couple of visits to see a friend who had also relocated there.”

Anushri added, “By the time we relocated, I had called 20 places my ‘home,’ and moving around wasn’t new to me. As far as our destination was concerned, I had a few criteria to check off: something not too far from India, a place where both my husband and I could find work, a good environment for raising our two daughters, quality education options, and ideally some friends in the area to help with the transition.”

Preparing for the big move

Akshay and Anushri meticulously prepared for their relocation.

Excel sheets — lots of them. We tracked expenses, salary comparisons, paperwork, and notes on the working culture. We even had an Excel sheet for what items to pack! We’re pretty proud to say that we managed to fit our lives into just four suitcases, despite how chaotic moving can be.

Overcoming challenges: Adjusting to a new environment

Facing initial hurdles

Relocating to a new country comes with its own set of challenges. Akshay mentioned, “The weather was quite a change, being much hotter and humid than back home. Finding a great place to stay was also difficult, along with the initial months I spent alone before Anushri and our daughters joined. That being said, people here were warm and friendly from the start, which helped a lot.”

Anushri shared her experience, “Building a new circle of friends was a challenge to me. It was lonely at times. Even though I had my family with me, I still missed being able to meet with friends and fellow designers.”

Finding solutions and support

Anushri actively sought to overcome these challenges. “I actively participated in events and even helped organize some gatherings. That really boosted our social life. I met some of my closest friends that way.”

Akshay found his community through tech groups and alumni networks. “I ended up connecting through fellow tech enthusiasts. Meetup groups, tech discussions, and board game nights were my go-to. I also know about a dozen alumni from my old university who also live in Singapore, and they really helped build a sense of community.”

Leveraging local resources

The couple also found support in the local community. “We found support in the local community, which organized weekly events for families. Singapore also has some government initiatives to make transitioning easier.”

Thriving in Singapore: Embracing a new lifestyle

Settling into a new home

Reflecting on their move, Anushri and Akshay acknowledged the challenges with housing. “Dealing with housing was a challenge due to different systems and regulations than we were used to. There are a few rules in Singapore we had never heard about before arriving. In retrospect, it would have been good to have some more time for research and to better understand the housing in Singapore.”

Looking ahead

When asked about their future plans, Akshay said, “We absolutely love the convenience and predictability of living in Singapore – it’s a super organized environment. Our plans for the next five years depend on whether we can obtain permanent residency and whether any interesting career opportunities turn up.”

Anushri added, “Moving to a new place isn’t out of the question, and India remains a backup plan. After exploring most of Asia, we’re also pretty curious about Europe. We’ve embraced being nomads, so we don’t feel like we’re tied down to any place in particular.”

Akshay noted humorously,

If we don’t get the permanent residency, then we will definitely need a new Excel sheet.

Balancing work and life

When asked to describe their hybrid working life in three words, Anushri and Akshay said, “Freedom, Flexibility, Family – and a lot of fun with board games! (That’s four words, but we’ve decided to let it slide!)”

Parting words of wisdom

Anushri and Akshay’s journey is all about thoughtful exploration. The couple approaches each move logically, turning their travels into well-planned adventures. Anushri’s nomadic spirit from pre-digital times guides her, Akshay, and their adorable princesses through a world of opportunities. Whatever the next stop may be, we can’t wait to hear of their next adventure!

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