Job Discussion Forums

likwid_777 · Joined: 04 Nov 2012 Posts: 411 Location: NA

I think some of us younger fellas overestimate our self made retirement package. "Retiring to a warmer clime at 59".. Yeah, for how long? I've heard many here speaking of this. Reality is, age sneaks up on you quicker than anything.

Have some empathy for the older chaps on here, we'll all be there soon as you can blink. If we are so lucky.

DirtGuy · Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Posts: 529

Retire at 59? I can't help but wonder in what alternate universe people who think this live? I fully expect to be working in one form or another well into my 70s and maybe even longer if I stay alive that long. I may never be able to retire. I'd venture to say that most people reading this are in the same boat.

DG

Javelin of Radiance · Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 1187 Location: The West

Sorry my apologies. Because Dirtyguy is broke and has to work till the day he dies, all others must cancel their retirement plans too Rolling Eyes

creeper1 · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 2:21 am Post subject: sad

What a tragic thread.

Guys in their mid 40s still broke.

Guys thinking of staying in China till they drop dead. Exclamation

Guys earning 5000 RMB a month.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

DirtGuy · Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Posts: 529

NS,

Couldn't agree more.

If you want to call anything "tragic", think of the system in the US that has put so many people like me into this situation. I do not regret for one minute my decision to come to China, but I do regret what has happened to the "American dream" in which I once believed.

DG

mike w · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 3:15 am Post subject:

Banner41 · Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 656 Location: Shanghai

The American dream is alive and well. Watching my portfolio grow this past year has been a blessing thanks to the US market rebound in the past couple of years.

Using China as a retirement plan was never really on my radar.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

DirtGuy · Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Posts: 529

Just got back from a meeting with my immediate boss and we talked about next year. Aside from dancing around the money question, she told me that BOTH the 5 years in one province rule and any sort of age limit can be overlooked if the school wants you. This is in Henan Province and your experience may be different.

What I would hope for the readers of this thread is if you are in your 40s or 50s or even older, there is work here. China is not a retirement plan but it is a work plan for people who still have something productive to give. Don't listen to the naysayers and go for it - you will get a job. The best part of all is that there is as much work in the country as you want and you will save bank if that is your goal.

The one caveat to the above is this place is weird. However, given what so many of us have been though in the States, if you can handle that, then you can handle China. I have a far better life in almost every aspect than what I gave up in the States. Some posters consider me a "loser" because of that viewpoint but that is their problem and not mine. I'm too busy working and saving and enjoying myself to care what they think. YOU could be in the same position.

DirtGuy

NoBillyNO · Joined: 11 Jun 2012 Posts: 1762

hilena_westb · Joined: 13 Nov 2012 Posts: 130

While I teach language part-time at my university (I teach in a different school of the university full-time), the language department has 11 teachers, 4 of whom are over the age of 60; the oldest 71.

NoBillyNO · Joined: 11 Jun 2012 Posts: 1762

There maybe snow on the rooftop but there is still fire in the furnace....

it'snotmyfault · Joined: 14 May 2012 Posts: 527

Many a good tune played on an old fiddle...

Banner41 · Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 656 Location: Shanghai

When I think of people packing up and coming to China sight unseen I see it as more ballsy and adventurous rather than loserish...Let people think what they want.