Leaving Dhaka for Bagerhat: The Economics of Moving Home

Published on September 1, 2023

Dhaka is the heartbeat of Bangladesh. For a startup founder, it is supposedly the "perfect" place to be—the hub of networking, connectivity, and endless opportunities. But is it really perfect for everyone?

For years, I believed the narrative that I had to be in the capital to succeed. But the reality of my daily life told a different story. I was surviving, not thriving.

In this post, I’m sharing my personal journey of making the difficult decision to leave Dhaka and move back to my hometown of Bagerhat. It’s a story about financial reality, faith, supportive relationships, and the strategic retreat necessary to build a bigger future.

The Dhaka Trap: High Cost, Low Living Standards

As a dreamer and a startup founder, I was willing to sacrifice a lot. However, the economics of my life in Dhaka simply weren't adding up.

My monthly salary was approximately $220 USD. To survive, I lived in a "bachelor mess" (shared housing), paying $40 USD for my seat in a room I shared with two other people. The conditions were arguably inhumane; most days, the taps ran dry, and we had no water.

The Time vs. Money Trade-off

I chose to stay in these poor conditions for one reason: Time. The mess was only a 15-minute walk from my office. If I had moved to an area like Mirpur to find cheaper or better housing, I would have spent up to 4 hours a day commuting in Dhaka's notorious traffic.

I chose to save those 4 hours to nourish my dream and work on my startup. But even with that time saved, the financial pressure was mounting.

[Image: A split comparison visual. Left side: Crowded Dhaka traffic and cramped room. Right side: A clock showing '4 Hours Saved'. Alt Text: Comparison of Dhaka living conditions and the value of saved commuting time.]

The Startup Math: Calculating My Runway

Two months ago, I got married. This changed everything. I couldn't afford to bring my wife to Dhaka into those living conditions, and my job responsibilities were growing so fast that balancing a full-time role with my startup was becoming impossible.

I sat down and did the math. It was a wake-up call.

Monthly Income: $220
Monthly Expenses (Dhaka): $170
Remittance to Family: $50

The Realization: I was burning through my life energy to save nothing. I realized that if I could earn just $50 per month from my home in Bagerhat, my financial standing would be exactly the same.

No house rent.
No food bills.
No transportation costs.

Pro Tip: As an entrepreneur, always calculate your "burn rate"—not just for your business, but for your personal life. If your city costs more than it contributes to your growth, it might be time to move.

The Leap of Faith: Resigning Without a Plan

Logic said I needed a backup plan. Faith told me otherwise.

I resigned from my job without a new offer in hand. I firmly believed that Allah would make a way for me. I was trading the perceived "security" of Dhaka for the uncertainty of the future, betting entirely on my ability to figure it out.

[Internal Link to: How to Prepare for Quitting Your Corporate Job]

The Power of a Supportive Partner

When I shared my decision with my wife, her reaction surprised me. Instead of panicking, she became my strongest pillar of support.

She revealed that her father had planned to make her gold jewelry. She told me she would refuse the jewelry and instead ask for the cash to buy two auto-rickshaws. Her plan was to rent them out to pullers to generate a consistent daily income to support us while I built my startup.

I rejected her offer—I wanted to try my own way first—but I was overwhelmed with gratitude.

Why this matters:

She was willing to sacrifice social status (jewelry) for our shared vision.
She thought like an entrepreneur (investing in assets vs. liabilities).
Her belief in me validated my decision to quit.

I thanked Allah for blessing me with a spouse who resists societal expectations to support my dreams.

The Bagerhat Blessing: A New Beginning

Alhamdulillah, my reliance on Allah was rewarded. Just before my farewell day in Dhaka, I received two job offers in my hometown of Bagerhat.

I accepted a position as an Accounts Officer for a foreign-funded development project. The terms were incredible:

Salary: $250 USD (Higher than my Dhaka salary!)
Start Date: September 1, 2023

The Quality of Life Upgrade

Moving to Bagerhat wasn't a step back; it was a massive leap forward.

Financial: $250 in Bagerhat goes much further than $500 in Dhaka. I have zero rent and zero food bills.
Lifestyle: No traffic jams. Surrounded by trees and nature.
Mental Clarity: The peace of mind allows me to focus deeply on my startup.

I believe that if I had stayed in the corporate rat race, I could have eventually reached a $600 salary. But that is not what I want. I want to build something of my own. Leaving Dhaka has given me the runway to eventually quit this job too, sooner than anyone expects.

[External Link to: Studies on how nature improves cognitive function and productivity]

Key Takeaways (TL;DR)

Location ROI: Dhaka offers networking, but the Cost of Living (COL) can kill early-stage startups. Analyze where your money goes.
The Math Works: Earning less in a hometown can often result in higher net savings than a higher salary in the capital.
Spousal Support: A partner who understands the "startup grind" and is willing to sacrifice short-term luxury for long-term goals is invaluable.
Faith & Risk: Sometimes, you have to close one door before the next one opens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it professional suicide to leave the capital city? Not anymore. With remote work and digital connectivity, you can build a global business from anywhere. If your physical presence isn't required for daily operations, moving to a lower-cost area can actually extend your business's survival.

How do I convince my family to let me move back home? Present the data. Show them the savings calculation (Income vs. Expenses). Explain that this is a temporary strategic move to build financial stability for the future, not a permanent retreat.

Conclusion

Moving from Dhaka to Bagerhat was a big day in my life. It wasn't about running away from the competition; it was about running toward a life that makes sense for my goals.

I am now an Accounts Officer by day and a Startup Founder by night (and early morning). I have more money, more time, and more peace. If you are feeling suffocated by the city hustle, do the math. Your "perfect" place might be closer to home than you think.

What are your thoughts? Have you considered moving to a smaller town to fund your dreams? Let me know in the comments.

About the Author

Mahmud H. Shakir is a tech entrepreneur and academic researcher. As the CEO of kobul.com and an experienced software engineer, he has expertise in building and scaling technology startups. His practical expertise is backed by academic inquiry as a doctoral candidate at Inti International University, Malaysia.

Connect with him on LinkedIn.