Job Discussion Forums

[shenzhenbound]

I've accepted a job in Guangzhou and tried to search about the area, but there isn't much information on the internet. Specifically on the Baiyun District near Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.

I won't be teaching too much at my main job... are there plenty of places to put in a few hours for part-time work if I wanted?

Is the area nice?
Does it have most of the conveniences as downtown Guangzhou does?
Does it have the college area feel, or are there also businessmen and families living in the area?
Are there lots of foreigners in the area? Any expat bars?

[MisterButtkins]

Currently in Guangzhou on vacation. It is the dirtiest, most crowded place I've ever been to. Horrible smog also. No idea why someone would want to live here, though it does have good food.

[igorG]

You are so right that it's dirty. Last couple days have been a great example of an environmental disaster. The air quality in some areas here before yesterday was at the point where I felt the thick filthy air in my throat and lungs so bad. How harmful could that be? Hard to prove the dangers as Guangzhou isn't near the US Embassy in Beijing.

As for why one would live here, it's all by choice. Opportunities or families may attract some to live dangerously here. I am more uncomfortable with this choice for my kids. I hope they won't regret or scorn me for having lived in Guangzhou once they grow up.

As for the OP's questions, GZ is great for some. Yes, there are many expats, places to go to, things to do, and friends to make. The area you have mentioned is large and the uni, to my knowledge, alright. It all depends on what your expectations are as many of us are so different.

[MisterButtkins]

GZ is certainly an area with a lot of character, I'll say that. It has a deep history and local tradition, and is surely one of the world's great food cities. I was in Shenzhen a few days before GZ, and I can't think of two cities in the same country so different, let alone two cities so close together. Shenzhen is clean, sterile, generic. GZ is filthy but incredibly vibrant. I'd choose GZ over Shenzhen to be sure, but there's other cities in China which I like better than either.

[Mr. English]

Mister Butkins has obviously not been to Hong Kong, not to speak of Kowloon, which are far far more crowded than Guangzhou can even hope to aspire to. Guangzhou is okay. Yes, there are air pollution problems though much better here than in Beijing. Yes crowded though not too often is one unable to board a bus or a subway; stand like a packed sardine sometimes, but you get on. Mostly okay, and there are things to do here; it is an alive city.

[LastStand]

@shenzhenbound

Are you currently working at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies? If so, what's it like?

[shenzhenbound]