An Indian woman shared how expensive everyday spending in the US felt while earning in INR, saying even simple things like transport, coffee, and breakfast left her questioning the so-called “American dream.”
Aakriti Pandey shared the video on her Instagram account, documenting snippets from her trip to the US while candidly talking about the cost of living and travel expenses from the perspective of an Indian traveller.
In the clip, she joked that “the world has become an expensive place for us Indians,” before pointing out that one US dollar was worth around Rs 93 and admitting the exchange rate was making her “question life.”
She went on to explain how even basic expenses felt overwhelming. Calling public transport “almost non-existent” in some places, she said she had to spend $67 (over Rs 6,000) on an Uber late at night just to get from the airport to her hotel, joking that it felt more like a motel than a hotel.
She also lamented coffee prices, saying even a basic $3-4 cup from convenience stores felt disappointing compared to “fancy coffee beans with almond milk” available in India.
Food prices left her particularly stunned. Recalling how she craved dosa for breakfast while in the Bay Area, she said three dosas costed around $57, or over 5,300, leaving her visibly shocked. Addressing people who often advise travellers to “stop converting dollars into INR,” Pandey argued that it is hard not to mentally convert prices when one earns in rupees and spends in dollars.
She added that travelling to the US felt far less stressful when sponsored by work or company expenses, otherwise it could trigger “too much anxiety.”
The creator also reflected on broader money concerns, saying many middle-class Indian millennials today often feel pressured to have multiple income sources, side hustles, or exceptionally good jobs just to afford things that once felt ordinary, from vacations and renting homes to starting a family.
In the caption, she humorously admitted that converting every cab ride and meal into rupees had become unavoidable and wondered aloud if the “big American dream” was overrated.
Watch the video here:
The video received several reactions online, with many users resonating with her concerns about currency value and the realities of overseas travel. Several people said her video served as a reality check for Indians who dream of international travel after watching glamorous social media reels, arguing that the actual costs abroad can be financially draining and far from picture-perfect.
Others echoed her frustrations about spending in dollars while earning in rupees, noting that weaker currencies naturally make foreign travel feel significantly more expensive.
Some users also agreed with her take on food and coffee, claiming that despite the high prices, many everyday meals in the US often felt underwhelming compared to the quality and affordability available in India.
A few even argued that the “American dream” had been romanticised for too long, with one commenter calling it “overrated” and saying life abroad was not always as glamorous as it appeared online.
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