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An IIT Kanpur alumnus has gone viral after comparing his ₹40 LPA Bengaluru life with living in a mountain town, saying where you live shapes your mindset and happiness
IIT Alum walks away from a ₹40 LPA job in Bengaluru to settle in a mountain town (Image-LinkedIn/@Arjav Modi)
An IIT Kanpur alumnus has gone viral after comparing his former ₹40 LPA life in Bengaluru with his new life in a quiet mountain town. Having left his high-paying corporate job, he says the move completely changed his perspective on success, happiness and what it means to live a fulfilling life.
In his post, Modi described a picture of two different versions of a 27-year-old professional. The first, he wrote, earns around ₹40 lakh per annum in Bengaluru, lives in a spacious 3BHK apartment, travels daily in an Uber and relies on quick-commerce platforms like Zepto for groceries.
Despite what many would consider an ideal urban lifestyle, Modi suggested that such an environment often encourages constant comparison. According to him, being surrounded by exceptionally young and successful professionals can make people feel as though they are falling behind in life.
“You see super young people around you. You feel that your best years are gone. You feel behind in life compared to kids who are just 21. You feel lonely & sad,” he wrote.
He then contrasted that life with his present reality in a mountain village. Modi said he now lives in a modest 1BHK home, earns less than half of what his friends in Bengaluru make, uses a scooty or walks instead of relying on cabs, and even enjoys buying vegetables while watching the sunset with his partner.
According to him, the environment has had a significant impact on his mindset. Unlike the fast-paced city life, he said the mountain town is filled with people in their 30s and beyond who appear content, welcoming and cheerful, making him feel that his best years are still ahead of him rather than behind.
Summing up his experience, Modi wrote, “Just my observation after 4 months of living in this small mountain town i call home now. where you live decides how you think & function.”
He also addressed the growing curiosity surrounding his new lifestyle, adding, “ps: for all the people asking about location, guide, rentals, etc etc in dm – it’s okay to be curious, but actually sound curious. don’t be like – hey, give me details & then run away with that. small town life is not great for people who just talk to people for their own benefit, and are entitled about what all they have achieved in their lives.”
The post quickly gained traction on LinkedIn, with users offering differing opinions on whether happiness is influenced more by location or by one’s mindset.
One user wrote, “I don’t think the situation is wrong it’s often our perspective. No place can make you feel better if you’re constantly comparing yourself to others. Focus on what’s right for you, and the place becomes secondary.”
Another commented, “Wrong analogy… Happiness is never about comparing.. its about content and gratitude! so wherever you are 🙂 Happiness is within.”
Sharing a personal experience, a third user said, “That’s a beautiful perspective to have, ultimately it’s a choice. I have spent more than 10 years living in the mountains, it wasn’t easy but they were the most beautiful years of my life! Maybe I’ll go back to the mountains some day! 😄”
A fourth added, “Every choice has its own pros and cons. Ultimately, it’s about what you’re willing to accept, guided by your mindset, priorities, and courage. For me, of course- a peaceful life, maybe with less money, but a life lived to its fullest🙃 “
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