Let’s embark on a journey with Akshay and Anushri as we launch our “8 Questions: Beyond Borders” series. 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..

Akshay and Anushri’s relocation story - Powered by Excel

Q: What prompted you to relocate to Singapore?

• Akshay: 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: 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.
   

Q: How did you prepare for relocating?

Akshay & Anushri: 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.

Q: Did you face any challenges or adjustments?

• Akshay: 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: 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.
  

Q: How did you overcome these challenges?

• Anushri: I actively participated in events and even helped organise some gatherings. That really boosted our social life. I met some of my closest friends that way.
  
  
• Akshay: 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.

Q: Were there any support systems or resources that helped you settle into the new location?

Anushri & Akshay: We found support in the local community, which organised weekly events for families. Singapore also has some government initiatives to make transitioning easier.
 

Q: What is the one thing you wish you had known before relocating?

Anushri & Akshay: 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 that before arriving. In retrospect, it would have been good to have some more time for research and to better understand the housing in Singapore.
 

Q: How do you like living in Singapore now? Where do you see yourself in 5 years: living there, moving back home, or moving to a different place?

• Akshay: We absolutely love the convenience and predictability of living in Singapore – it’s a super organised 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: 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 added: If we don’t get the permanent residency, then we will definitely need a new Excel sheet.

Q: How would you describe your hybrid working life in three words?

Anushri & Akshay: Freedom, Flexibility, Family – and a lot of fun with board games! (That’s four words, but we’ve decided to let it slide!

Anushri & 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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