A former IBM professional who grew up in Mumbai made a decision most people only daydream about: he quit his corporate job, left the city, and moved to a village to become a farmer. In this video, he shares the real story behind that leap—what pushed him away from Mumbai’s noise, traffic and lifestyle inflation, and what pulled him toward a slower, more meaningful life close to nature.
The couple opted not to have children.
Currently they stay at the farm in Peth village Dahanu Taluka Palghar district of maharashtra with Meena's mother who is 85 and her sister in law who is 92.
This isn’t a “romantic escape” story. It’s a grounded look at how to plan a city-to-village transition—from doing a simple spreadsheet-based financial plan, understanding monthly expenses, and building predictable income through FD interest + rental income + small pension, to buying farmland and adjusting to the culture shock of leaving Mumbai behind. If you’re interested in FIRE in India, early retirement, quitting the rat race, simple living, financial planning before leaving a job, or what it actually costs to live in a village—this conversation will give you both inspiration and a practical framework.
In this video, you’ll learn: Why Mumbai stopped feeling like “home” (crowds, noise, pollution, time in traffic) The moment he asked: “What if I became a farmer?” Why most people can’t quit (EMIs, family responsibilities, school fees) The financial planning process (assets, liabilities, loans, monthly needs) How they estimated a village budget and created a safety net How they earn and spend today in the village The 3 things needed to replicate this path: courage, passion, patience Why happiness doesn’t always scale with salary or designation
Chapters 0:00 Intro – “Are you happy here?” 0:49 Quit IBM Mumbai to live in a village (2004 decision) 1:18 Born & raised in Mumbai + working life 1:35 The “urban dream”: saving, EMI, buying a 1BHK in Ghatkopar 1:56 Why Mumbai started feeling unlivable 2:19 Weekend escape idea: searching for land near Mumbai 2:58 Mina’s village exposure + farmer stories 3:23 “What if I became a farmer?” turning point 4:13 Why most people can’t quit (EMIs, family, fees) 5:29 The big question: financial planning before quitting 5:45 Lifestyle inflation: earning more, still cash-crunched 6:35 Spreadsheet plan: assets, liabilities, loans 6:50 Village cost estimate + FD income plan 7:58 Dec 31, 2003 last day → Jan 1, 2004 new life 8:20 Finding the land + “river moment” 8:57 Land price then vs now 9:26 Culture shock: Mumbai to village 10:09 Farming for peace, not profit + what they grow 10:43 Passive Income (rent + FD + pension) 11:20 Monthly expenses breakdown 12:02 Can you replicate this? courage, passion, patience 12:25 Money vs happiness + envy from corporate friends 13:09 Final takeaway: meaning over designation
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