Job Discussion Forums

dtomchek · Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 135

Hello everyone:

I will be leaving on Saturday (72 hours) for Shanghai to start my new job in Yongkang. I was wondering if anyone had any tips about what to bring and what I can leave behind. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Very Happy

rioux · Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 880

Bring
Deodorant
Ear Plugs
Your favorite toothpaste as well as a few boxes of breakfast cereals
Razor blades and aftershave - they have them here but they are more expensive than back home (USA)

Leave behind
Your worries and troubles

Blistering Zanazilz · Joined: 06 Jan 2018 Posts: 180

Things aren't that much more expensive here and many things are a lot cheaper, so don't load your luggage down with this stuff. Pack the essentials like clothing, shoes, electronic devices and the like.

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

Clothes are the most important to bring if you wear any size larger than medium.

rioux · Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 880

Blistering Zanazilz · Joined: 06 Jan 2018 Posts: 180

How long you been here again? If you're going to the supermarket for this stuff then you're wasting time AND money. Buy it online and the only item you listed above that costs significantly more than "back home" is breakfast cereal, and that's because it's an imported item that relatively few people here eat. Oatmeal is dirt cheap and is a healthier alternative. Deodorant is loaded with chemicals that stain your shirts and can be easily replaced with something like baby powder. As for putting "a few boxes of breakfast cereal" in your suitcase, I can think of many other things that are more useful to a newcomer and take up less of the limited space available. By the way, we still go to the supermarket for staple items, but that's about it.

rioux · Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 880

Razor blades here are much more expensive. So is aftershave and shaving cream.
Hey, I want my Cheerios so it is very useful. Throw in the Grits as well.
Tinactin, Neosporin, Grated Cheese, Real salad dressing...don't forget the Ben-Gay.
Baby powder for deodorant? That won't work. It will work in really drying out the skin. This makes it not good for your healthy.

getbehindthemule · Joined: 15 Oct 2015 Posts: 712 Location: Shanghai

Late at this stage I know but...

You can get most Western things that you need in Shanghai. You can get Irish and European cheese and butter, pastas, sauces, etc in supermarkets, you can get imported meats etc. through online delivery companies. Not that you'd be bringing those with you!

If you are 44+ forget about it here though when it comes to shoes.

Deodorant and toiletries are a rip off here in SH so I always load up on those. Paracetamol products like Panadol and Lemsip etc also.

nimadecaomei · Joined: 22 Sep 2016 Posts: 605

getbehindthemule · Joined: 15 Oct 2015 Posts: 712 Location: Shanghai

rioux · Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 880

twowheel · Joined: 03 Jul 2015 Posts: 753

I can get everything I want and need, Chinese and Western and otherwise, here in Beijing, a.k.a, the Big Smoke...can get plenty of masks and air purifiers and filters here too to combat that nasty ole smog, err uhh, fog.

Warm regards,
twowheel

rioux · Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 880

That's the trade-off.

twowheel · Joined: 03 Jul 2015 Posts: 753

rioux · Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 880

I hear what you're saying. There are also times I guess that it comes down to choosing the lesser of two evils.
Noise pollution v. Air pollution
I chose the Air pollution - for two extra weeks. I could have took off to the Philippines by around Dec. 20th, but chose to stay here until after January 1st. It can get real crazy with noise where we live. Between Christmas and New Year's the fireworks are constant. No let up. Thought about it and decided to go there just a few days after Jan. 1. At least it's pretty much quiet where I am now.
Just checked the AQI here and it reads 50, which is so much better than what it was a few days ago. But I know that it is possible for that to suddenly change.