Doctor shares her Mumbai-to-small-city journey, reveals what led to the switch
A woman shared how she left Mumbai after struggling with crowded commutes, rent and work pressure. Her story received lots of feedback, as many users described how they too, felt torn between opportunity and balance.

A Mumbai doctor explained why she left the city she loved, saying the struggle of daily commutes, high living costs and lack of work-life balance eventually pushed her to choose a quieter life elsewhere.
Dr Garima Chauhan, a doctor who previously worked in Mumbai, shared the video on her Instagram account where she reflected on her decision to move away from the city despite considering it her home.
In the video, Dr Chauhan spoke about the major differences she noticed after leaving Mumbai, beginning with a moment that made her realise how much her daily life had changed. She said she had returned from work in a car provided by her hospital, a facility that was also available whenever there was an emergency.
Comparing this with her earlier routine in Mumbai, she recalled waking up early every day to catch crowded local trains, often standing throughout the journey because of the rush.
She also spoke about the pressure of dealing with unexpected delays, saying that if she reached late due to unavoidable circumstances, it could sometimes affect her salary.
Dr Chauhan explained that while she loved Mumbai deeply, the constant cycle of long commutes, work pressure and managing everyday expenses gradually became one of the reasons she considered moving away. She also shared that she and her husband had been living in a rented house in Mumbai, paying around Rs 30,000 every month for accommodation.
She then compared that experience with her current lifestyle, revealing that her present job provides her with a spacious two-bedroom accommodation with two balconies at no additional cost. The change, she said, brought more comfort, convenience and a better sense of balance to her everyday life.
Sharing the video, Dr Chauhan wrote that leaving Mumbai was one of the hardest decisions she had made because the city remained close to her heart.
However, after six months, she said she understood why she chose a different path, adding that success is not always about living in the biggest city but about choosing a life that offers peace, time and balance.
Watch the video here:
The video sparked a discussion among people who have experienced life in Mumbai, with many saying they could relate to the challenges of living in the city.
Several users agreed that while Mumbai offers opportunities and has a unique charm, the fast-paced lifestyle, long commutes and high expenses can take a toll over time.
Some shared that they too had eventually moved back to their hometowns or smaller cities for a more balanced lifestyle.
Others pointed out that working in smaller towns also comes with its own set of difficulties, including fewer resources and different professional challenges.
Many people even said that leaving Mumbai could be emotionally difficult because the city often felt like home even when everyday life there became exhausting.
A Mumbai doctor explained why she left the city she loved, saying the struggle of daily commutes, high living costs and lack of work-life balance eventually pushed her to choose a quieter life elsewhere.
Dr Garima Chauhan, a doctor who previously worked in Mumbai, shared the video on her Instagram account where she reflected on her decision to move away from the city despite considering it her home.
In the video, Dr Chauhan spoke about the major differences she noticed after leaving Mumbai, beginning with a moment that made her realise how much her daily life had changed. She said she had returned from work in a car provided by her hospital, a facility that was also available whenever there was an emergency.
Comparing this with her earlier routine in Mumbai, she recalled waking up early every day to catch crowded local trains, often standing throughout the journey because of the rush.
She also spoke about the pressure of dealing with unexpected delays, saying that if she reached late due to unavoidable circumstances, it could sometimes affect her salary.
Dr Chauhan explained that while she loved Mumbai deeply, the constant cycle of long commutes, work pressure and managing everyday expenses gradually became one of the reasons she considered moving away. She also shared that she and her husband had been living in a rented house in Mumbai, paying around Rs 30,000 every month for accommodation.
She then compared that experience with her current lifestyle, revealing that her present job provides her with a spacious two-bedroom accommodation with two balconies at no additional cost. The change, she said, brought more comfort, convenience and a better sense of balance to her everyday life.
Sharing the video, Dr Chauhan wrote that leaving Mumbai was one of the hardest decisions she had made because the city remained close to her heart.
However, after six months, she said she understood why she chose a different path, adding that success is not always about living in the biggest city but about choosing a life that offers peace, time and balance.
Watch the video here:
The video sparked a discussion among people who have experienced life in Mumbai, with many saying they could relate to the challenges of living in the city.
Several users agreed that while Mumbai offers opportunities and has a unique charm, the fast-paced lifestyle, long commutes and high expenses can take a toll over time.
Some shared that they too had eventually moved back to their hometowns or smaller cities for a more balanced lifestyle.
Others pointed out that working in smaller towns also comes with its own set of difficulties, including fewer resources and different professional challenges.
Many people even said that leaving Mumbai could be emotionally difficult because the city often felt like home even when everyday life there became exhausting.
A Mumbai doctor explained why she left the city she loved, saying the struggle of daily commutes, high living costs and lack of work-life balance eventually pushed her to choose a quieter life elsewhere.
Dr Garima Chauhan, a doctor who previously worked in Mumbai, shared the video on her Instagram account where she reflected on her decision to move away from the city despite considering it her home.
In the video, Dr Chauhan spoke about the major differences she noticed after leaving Mumbai, beginning with a moment that made her realise how much her daily life had changed. She said she had returned from work in a car provided by her hospital, a facility that was also available whenever there was an emergency.
Comparing this with her earlier routine in Mumbai, she recalled waking up early every day to catch crowded local trains, often standing throughout the journey because of the rush.
She also spoke about the pressure of dealing with unexpected delays, saying that if she reached late due to unavoidable circumstances, it could sometimes affect her salary.
Dr Chauhan explained that while she loved Mumbai deeply, the constant cycle of long commutes, work pressure and managing everyday expenses gradually became one of the reasons she considered moving away. She also shared that she and her husband had been living in a rented house in Mumbai, paying around Rs 30,000 every month for accommodation.
She then compared that experience with her current lifestyle, revealing that her present job provides her with a spacious two-bedroom accommodation with two balconies at no additional cost. The change, she said, brought more comfort, convenience and a better sense of balance to her everyday life.
Sharing the video, Dr Chauhan wrote that leaving Mumbai was one of the hardest decisions she had made because the city remained close to her heart.
However, after six months, she said she understood why she chose a different path, adding that success is not always about living in the biggest city but about choosing a life that offers peace, time and balance.
Watch the video here:
The video sparked a discussion among people who have experienced life in Mumbai, with many saying they could relate to the challenges of living in the city.
Several users agreed that while Mumbai offers opportunities and has a unique charm, the fast-paced lifestyle, long commutes and high expenses can take a toll over time.
Some shared that they too had eventually moved back to their hometowns or smaller cities for a more balanced lifestyle.
Others pointed out that working in smaller towns also comes with its own set of difficulties, including fewer resources and different professional challenges.
Many people even said that leaving Mumbai could be emotionally difficult because the city often felt like home even when everyday life there became exhausting.