I'm curious if it's correct too to say his stay/ living... For me life and stay/living in the context have a bit different to say.

Всё может быть, Ирина! А вдруг он планировал остаться в России насовсем?

I would say life.

Ну, я не знаю... но для меня как-то life - это, по большей части, жизнь, как противоположное состояние мертвому состоянию и существование.
А stay / living - проживание)
а так оно или нет, я не знаю, поэтому интересно)

Uly do you mean just from the context or in general?

Я не спорю. Мне интересен английский вариант был бы приемлем, как я спрашивала или нет)

Irina, we generally use LIFE in the sense of LIVING: Life in the city had made him competitive and sharp. He wasn't ready for country life. STAY is used for hotel sojourns and temporary time in a place: He went back home with beautiful memories of his stay in Rome. How was your stay? (in a hotel).

Sure, and it's clear. I meant we don't have your context. Maybe the guy went back also because he wasn't intended to stay longer)