American Elliot Rosenberg finds his dream in Goa

A house in the suburbs with a white picket fence, a sense of prosperity and affluence, the climb up the corporate ladder – that’s the American dream that many in India aspire. Many have, and continue to do so, migrated to the US in search of that dream.

But then there are those who have chucked the rat race to seek a more contented and peaceful life. US citizen, Elliot Rosenberg, is one of them.

Elliot moved from the USA to India, and in 2024 made Goa’s Chopdem his home. He lives with his wife Vrinda Sharma Rosenberg (yoga instructor), and his pet dog Toastie who has been flown in from the US. He runs his travel and finance company (stratystravel.com) based in the USA from Chopdem.

Having travelled to over 40 countries, Elliot decided it was time to settle down. So, he married an Indian woman, experienced a bit of India and finally made Goa his home.

GOA IS THE BEST PLACE TO BE

"Being in Goa as a tourist and as a resident are two different experiences. When I first came to Goa as a tourist I was blown away by its incredible nature, lovely beaches. Being a vegan, there were a lot of excellent, tasty, wholesome, vegan restaurants with a variety of foods that I enjoy," he says.

Comparing his experiences both as a tourist and resident, he says, "As a resident, I could explore beyond the typical tourist areas. Once you go inland from the beaches, there's so much variety to Goa that you don't really tend to explore as a tourist.”

WHY GOA?

Leaving a world of opportunities in the US, Elliot believes that Goa brings in a sense of peace, greenery, better air quality, and, even though it's not perfect, is far better than almost anywhere in India. The Rosenbergs lived in Rishikesh for a while, and found the crowd very transient, it being mainly pilgrims, making it tough for them to connect as community.

“The beautiful beaches, nature in the interiors, the calmer, slower pace of life, were what we really appreciated, especially after having lived in Mumbai for seven years."

He adds, "When it comes to the cost of living, if we compare this to the neighbourhoods we stayed in Mumbai—like Bandra and Khar—those areas are effectively twice as expensive in terms of rent. But for us, coming from those neighbourhoods in Mumbai, and for me, coming from the US, it’s a huge cost saving.”

He adds, “Being able to have affordable cleaning, cooking, that's a huge luxury, which is common across India. But we found someone here we really liked and who's very trustworthy and reliable.”

CHEAPER LIVING

The Indian rupee surging the most in over two years, the rupee now stands at 85.5 per dollar, was a realization that dawned on Elliot and influenced his decision to relocate.

He talks about how rentals in Goa are very affordable and worthy. “We like going surfing, but we're not so pro at surfing that we have our own boards. So, we rent boards on Mandrem Beach and it's like Rs 300 for the entire session. However, if I were to go anywhere else, it'd probably be five or ten times the price for the surf boards,” he says.

IN GOA THERE IS A LESS PUSH TO HUSTLE

Elliot also spoke of the pressure he felt about consumerism in the USA. “In the US there is pressure to consume and the US is the bastion of capitalism. But in the sense of cultural and socialism, for instance, my friends are levelling up in their careers and their lives. And in order for me to keep up with them, we have to spend a lot of money to socialise in terms of outings and events and things like that. And it's just not sustainable. And you reach one level and then you want the next. You're on this sort of treadmill,” says Elliot.

For more travel insights, tips and recommendations, check out Gomantak Times, your go-to source for all things travel and lifestyle in Goa.