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‘There are opportunities in Tier-2 cities’: Founder shares why he returned to Bhopal after years in Gurgaon, Mumbai

A founder shared why moving back to Bhopal after years in metros had improved his quality of life.

Published on: Aug 29, 2026, 14:40:44 IST
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After spending nearly 17 years away from his hometown for education, work and business, a founder has shared why moving back to Bhopal turned out to be a positive change in his life. In a video posted on Instagram, he spoke about the quality of life, shorter commutes and growing professional opportunities available in Tier-2 cities.

A founder said returning to Bhopal had brought shorter commutes, more peace and fresh work opportunities. (Instagram/eventpreneurkaran)
A founder said returning to Bhopal had brought shorter commutes, more peace and fresh work opportunities. (Instagram/eventpreneurkaran)

The man, identified as Karan Kukreja, said he had lived in cities including Gurgaon and Mumbai before circumstances brought him back to Bhopal.

‘Life here has been so much better’

“By the way, this is my workstation for today. My hometown is Bhopal. A few years ago, I moved back here. I lived outside for many years—Gurgaon, Bombay—and came back. Had to come back due to certain reasons. 15 to 17 years... college, a few years of schooling, job, business... Lived in Gurgaon for quite a few years. Had to come here due to some reasons, man. To tell you the truth—life here has been so much better,” Kukreja said in the video.

He also encouraged people who have settled in metropolitan cities to consider returning to their hometowns, arguing that Tier-2 cities now offer meaningful professional opportunities.

“If you have settled there, then go to your own hometowns. There are opportunities in Tier-2 [cities]. Work is coming in. Life is going great for people here. Yeah, there's a different way of working, the gameplay is a bit different,” he added.

(Also read: ‘People are earning more but losing peace’: Techie explains why life in Tier 1 cities is mentally draining)

Kukreja also highlighted Bhopal’s relatively manageable commute times. “But man, look at the life—15 to 20 minutes from one place to another. Traffic is going to increase a bit now, but compared to other places, man, we are very livable.”

‘There is so much you can build’

The clip was shared with a caption describing his workstation for the day as “a balcony, the rain, and a laptop”.

In the caption, Kukreja reiterated that returning to Bhopal had improved his lifestyle and challenged the perception that moving to a Tier-2 city means slowing down professionally.

“There is work, there are opportunities; the gameplay is just a little different,” he wrote, adding, “So, if you have already settled in a metro, think about it, my dear friends. Consider returning to your hometowns. There is so much you can build and create there.”

Watch the clip here:

Internet reacts

The post drew reactions from users who related to Kukreja’s observations about life outside major metros. One person wrote, “Tier-2 cities really do offer a better quality of life.” Another commented, “Not every successful career needs a metro city.”

A third user said, “Less traffic, more peace and still plenty of opportunities,” while another added, “The 15-minute commute alone sounds like a dream.”

(Also read: Founder moves to Europe despite calling US the best place to become a millionaire: ‘It took me a long time’)

HT.com has reached out to the user for his comments, and the copy will be updated once his response is received.

(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)

  • Mahipal Singh Chouhan
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Mahipal Singh Chouhan

    Mahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. His work primarily focuses on offbeat and trending stories that reflect everyday experiences and evolving conversations on the internet. He has consistently worked on transforming viral content and human interest stories into structured news pieces that engage readers while maintaining editorial clarity. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal contributes to identifying and developing stories emerging from social media trends, online communities, and real-world incidents that capture public attention. His approach involves adding context and journalistic perspective to fast-moving digital narratives, helping present viral moments in a clear and reader-friendly format suited for digital audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling practices. Mahipal holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. He is particularly interested in tracking emerging trends and understanding how online conversations evolve into broader public discussions. His work reflects a focus on accuracy, readability, and relevance in the rapidly changing digital news environment. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mahipal takes an interest in history and sports and regularly works on improving his general knowledge, which complements his curiosity as a media professional.Read More

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