Latest update:
Visa stress, being far from family, and a hunger for “real wealth” – that’s why one Googler turned away from it all.
The salary of Rs 2.7 crore was not enough to maintain the technical lead at Google; Here’s why she left the US and moved to Dubai
Imagine earning a staggering Rs 2.7 crore ($300,000) a year at Google, living in a beautiful house in Chicago, and achieving every milestone of the “American Dream.” For most, this is the finish line. For Tanu Puri, it was just a matter of realizing that she was running the wrong race.
In a move that has shocked the tech community and sparked a huge debate about ‘work life’ on Instagram, Instagram user Tanu Puri has left her distinguished role as chief analytics leader to move to Dubai. Cause? The “perfect” life seemed like a polished cage.
“Life was almost perfect, but…”
Puri’s journey at Google has been nothing short of amazing. She joined as a Measurement Lead in 2021, and rose to a key role within months. But despite the prestige, she began to feel the “quiet discomfort” of being dependent on corporations.
Reflecting on her time in Chicago in a viral video, she admitted that “life was almost perfect.” However, that “almost” carried the weight of missed family moments and strict schedules. Even as a high-level executive, she felt the brunt of the company. “Even on a two-week vacation, we needed permission,” she noted.
For Bure, the transition wasn’t just about escaping the 9-to-5 job; It was a matter of wealth calculations. I’ve realized that while a high salary provides comfort, it rarely provides true financial sovereignty. “We wanted true freedom. We wanted unequal returns. The kind of wealth you can’t build on a paycheck,” she shared in the video.
Speaking to HT, she explained the desire to move beyond moonlighting: “I was at Google at a good level, doing meaningful work and earning well. I really liked that phase of my life. But then I also realized if I wanted to double what I was making. I needed to leverage other projects. At some point, I started thinking about how I could double what I was making, and not just grow it gradually.”
Beyond the balance sheet, the “US struggle” played a major role. For many Indian tech companies, the constant noise of visa uncertainty and being 8,000 miles away from family support systems creates a unique kind of exhaustion. By moving to Dubai, Puri solved three problems at once. Her parents have been living in Dubai for years, so she can be close to them and get the family support a young child needs. Plus, leaving the United States eliminated H-1B concerns or immigration hurdles.
In addition, Dubai’s tax-friendly environment and entrepreneurial energy align with its goal of building “real wealth.”
The clip, which went viral, caused division on the Internet, with many praising her for breaking the “golden handcuffs.” “A wonderful story about true freedom,” one user commented. Another resonated with the struggle for independence: “True freedom is to do anything you like and not live in the slavery of asking someone for a two-week break.”
April 16, 2026 at 2:24 PM IST
Read more
