Job Discussion Forums

[wanderluzt]

We are planning on moving to Dongguan and was wondering if anyone had any personal information about the city. I, of course looked on- line and did a search on this forum but would like more info.
What is the temperature? Does it have 4 seasons? Should we pack jackets, etc. What should we bring from the states in particular? We are selling everything back here but are wondering what to keep. My husband and I are both teachers and are moving with our 4 year old bumpkin. I am not sure where exactly we will be located and am just trying to wrap my head around getting ready and preparing for next school year.
Advice and suggestions are welcome, thank you in advance.

[Dedicated]

wanderluzt,

I visited Dongguan several times whilst on the IELTS examiner circuit in China. It is only about 50 sea miles away from Hong Kong, so you will have a similar climate - humid, subtropical with the average temperature about 22C/73F.

There is lots of rain (about 69 inches a year) and big storms/monsoons from June to October. So it is never really cold. As for clothes, Dongguan is the centre for clothes shopping, so you can get everything you want in that respect (unless you are very big sizes). They used to boast the largest shopping mall in the world. You might want to consider bringing shoes with you, as they tend to be small sizes in China generally.
It used to be difficult to find deodorants too !

Dongguan is a booming centre for foreign direct investment, especially in technology, so there seemed to be quite a large foreign population. You might like to post on the China forum and see if anybody can give you up-to-date information.

On the downside, try to watch the documentary "High Tech Misery in China" which is set in Dongguan, and highlights the conditions of young often teenage females, who migrate to the area from the countryside, to work in high tech factories.

[creeper1]

Ah the infamous Dongguan

Dongguan is indeed famous for being the factory of the world. There seems to be so much stuff made there. Dongguan is where the author, Leslie Chang I think, went to write her book "factory girls"

If that is anything to judge by then you are going to be sharing the area with many migrant workers.

Anyway Dongguan used to fascinate me but when I came across this thread, I got a negative impression of the place.

Check it out

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=75435&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

I now live in Beijing.

[wanderluzt]

Hi Creeper 1, I did read that link and I too was a little discouraged but I was hoping since a few years had gone by that maybe things have changed.
We are excited about this venture so I am going to look at all of the wonderful opportunities and be aware of the negativities that could impact us.

I know that Beijing is to the North but any insights as to what to bring from the states. And unfortunately I am a plus size and my husband is rather tall. So finding clothes sounds like a problem, we can bring them though.

I also realize that it is a factory, industrial city and read that one person commented it can resemble Detroit. But Iam going to assume that like most cities there are good, beautiful spots and then also broken-down seedy parts. Do I need to stand corrected?

In Beijing do you need jackets and items?

Thanks so much everybody for any comments.

[creeper1]

Hmmm that thread was enough to discourage? I am sorry I can't comment directly on GD since I have never been there.

As for here in Beijing you won't be needing a jacket for the next 5 months, summer is on the way.

However once October comes, then obviously yes, a jacket is needed. You can buy them here though

[Gtomas]

I live in a city right next to Dongguan. Talking to Chinese people, that place honestly has a horrible reputation. I don't think it could possibly be as bad as my Chinese friends say, but I've heard that it is mostly factories and escorts for the foreign business men visiting the factories.

You are moving with your husband and child to a foreign country. I imagine you are expecting a certain level of professionalism and care from your employer. If you are going to be teaching English... that may become an issue. Please realize you are often fending for yourself in China. The upside is that white-ish English-ish speaking people are marketable to many schools and you have mobility.

The downside is that mainland hasn't developed the sense of "corporate responsibility" we are used to in the West. Add to that the media is heavily censored and even if bad companies (schools included) are doing bad things for a long time... few know and nothing happens.

If you're coming with a pre-packaged social life (husband, child) and you have a reliable employer. You may be happy.

I want to make clear that I have been to Dongguan and these are just general observations about China over two years.

[knight4ever]

I live in Shenzhen which is less than an hour by train to Dongguan. It is truly a factory city and not much in the way of beauty or scenery. I've been there a few times and it's not for most people, even locals.

Gtomas is right about Dongguan's reputation. It's bad. My students tell me that they avoid that place due to the crime and overall uncleanliness. As for four seasons, you need to go much further north in China. Dongguan is subtropical and it's hot most of the year just like Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

The good thing about Dongguan is that it's situated between 2 large (and rather modern) cities (Guangzhou and Shenzhen).

[hofeizai]

I live in a neighboring city for a few years and it is hot most of the year.

It is not a scenic city, but it isn't unbearable from what I've seen. Being near Guangzhou means there are more things to see an o if you travel a while, but also means the air quality is worse.

Guangdong people tend to be small, so it is difficult to fin clothes if you are not. It's much easier if you go to Hong Kong, but also more expensive.

I believe the Delta Bridges magazine and website covers nightlife an entertainment for Dongguan

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Dongguan, is rated very high for pollution, traffic and crime. It is rated low for beauty, clean air, safety and quality. Lots of cheap clothes and "working girls", though.

I have avoided even visiting the place due to the stories my Chinese friends have shared with me.

[roadwalker]

I visited once with an ex to visit her relatives, who live in one of the outlying neighborhoods/towns where working class Chinese live. The neighbors seemed friendly enough but the area wasn't exactly beautiful. I have heard the same things about Dongguan: factories; high prostitution rate; and also that a lot of Hong Kong men have mistresses there for weekend getaways, presumably while their wives are in Shenzhen shopping. I didn't see that but wasn't really in the city center for long. I can't remember seeing any impressive parks, buildings or other tourist-worthy places in Dongguan, but that doesn't mean they don't exist, depending on your tastes.

I would take a job in Dongguan only if it paid enough for trips to Hong Kong (at the border with Shenzhen mentioned above) for mental health breaks. If you will be teaching a lot of hours and taking care of a young one, living in a nice neighborhood/apartment complex/campus, it probably won't matter too much about the city, and Dongguan is well situated by fast train. On the other hand, if you will have lots of hours off to explore the city, you may be disappointed. But most Chinese cities look alike to me anyway: little aesthetic planning (except for flowers and hedges where they tend to spend a lot of time keeping up); poor sidewalks/pavements; a general lack of building maintenance, particularly in the facades and common areas; too many long streets and avenues; and in general, dirty and dusty. Oh, yeah Guangdong has about 90 million registered residents and perhaps tens of millions more from other provinces working in the factories and offices. So it's crowded.

The positive side keeping me here for now is: friendly people; relative safety (from crime, NOT traffic); good food; good public transportation with many options (can be confusing navigating alone though). I also like the students a lot and appreciate many aspects of the teaching environment.

Good luck, and enjoy China!