Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 10:20 am Post subject: honestly: how much to live in China?
I am looking at english teaching in China. I know Japan and Korea pay more and you can save more and all but China's economy is where America was 100 years ago. So even if I would make less, and save less, I would prefer China over others.
Now I am looking for an honest opinion about how much it would cost me to live there since even if I will save less, I still want to save some money.
Say its a free accomodation and airfare contract. Possibly some free mandarin classes and internet too. Now, how much should I assume to spend if I dont travel much within China but do seek some western style meals once in a while?
Also how much, if any at all, is it realisticly possible to make in private tutoring in China?
Also is there a big difference in expenses between Beijing and a smaller city - say Dalian or smaller?
I am seeking help in my decision making process. Thank you in advance.
If you are prepared to live like a local then the living cost is quite low, which means you use buses or bike instead of taxis, eat in local cheap eateries or cook at home, don't go to bars/clubs and generally stay away from expats gathering places...if you stick to that your monthly living cost include utilities should be around 2000 yuan or less depends where you are. Actually 2000 is quite elaborate, I know some Chinese families of three live on 2000/3000 a month. Not sure what kind of western meal you had in mind, McD, KFC and the like only cost you around 20 yuan, but if you're talking about three course meal roast dinner or steak, then that's 150 onwards depends where you go.
Generally speaking Beijing, Shanghai, Guanzhou, Shenzhen are the more expensive cities, second tier cities like Dalian, Qingdao are cheaper, and smaller cities and cities inland are cheaper still. For example, you can get a cheap meal for 10 yuan in Beijing (or less if you know where to go and what to ask) and the same would probably cost 2/3 the price in Dalian and 1/2 the price in Zhengzhou (Henan province).
From my own experience once you've been here a while you get phases when you are absolutely sick of Chinese food and you long for comfort western food like a roast and apple crumble, event mashed potatos, and cheese!
For most on campus jobs you get free lodging and some free food, so your expenses can be kept to minimal, in which case 1000 should suffice. I think WOCCA is the authority to advise you on that. One last word from me though, if you do decide to come to China, bring sufficient supply of deodorant, the selection is rather limited here. and Books.
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 1:36 pm Post subject: Minimal Outgoings
The schools usually have their own restaurants / canteens. Meals are less than 50 cents each. Electronic cards are used for payments.
That should really be your only expense each month, if you don't drink or smoke. You may have to buy your drinking water. I pay 5 yuan for very large bottled water, which in the warmer weather lasts for about a week. I believe that better water is 8 yuan.
Public bus fares are 1 yuan.
The weeks usually go buy without me buying anything. On a regular basis, I'd be lucky to spend 500 yuan a month.
Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 12:03 am Post subject: Re: Minimal Outgoings
wtanaka wrote:
Wocca, where do you use the internet, then?
The university in Kunming supplies all the foreign teachers with computers & free 24 hour internet access in their apartments on campus.
I'll be moving to Chengdu late August 2005. That university will also provide me with a computer & 24 hour internet access in their apartment. I made sure it was part of the contract _________________ EXPAT IN CHINA
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