Job Discussion Forums

[wiz07]

Hello, i am a regular visitor here, just wanted to know how much should i bring to Dalian? I am very much in a financial crunch and the most i can bring with me is around 4K RMB to 8K RMB, should that be enough for a month or even longer, until my next payday? (apartment rent free)

If that is not enough would you guys suggest another city to relocate that fits my budget, i am in no contract talks yet, just weighing my options

Much thanks


Note: there are some fantastic expats in this community i am very much grateful for the in-depth discussions, my last post did start quite a stirr but it's best i didn't comment that should explains my absence, none the less good show, good show.

[Non Sequitur]

The apartment supplied is the big plus and you should be OK on what you intend to bring.
Find out when the first payday is. It shouldn't be more than 1 week after the end of the month.
Also if you get stuck your FAO should be able to advance you some of what you are owed prior to actual payday.
Good luck in Dalian. It's as good a location as you will find.
Best

[vikeologist]

I've been in Dalian for a month.

That should easily be enough money. You may need to buy some things when you arrive, (like sheets or things for the kitchen) but I can't imagine that taking up much money.

If you eat in local Chinese restaurants, or buy things from markets and cook for yourself, you can keep costs way down.

Also, take buses or trams rather than taxis. All the bus stops have the routes in English, and anyway, you'll probably find that all the shops you need are very close and there's no need to go to the city centre.

The buses and trams are Y1 (occasionally Y2)

Honestly if you did all the above you could probably spend less than Y1,000 in your first month, so there's plenty of wiggle room for you to enjoy yourself.

Of course if you go to and from the city centre a couple of times a week by taxi and hang out in western bars, you can soon find yourself spending a lot of money.

However, I've basically been spending whatever I want, buying bikes, grills. western bars and restaurants occasionally, and I think I spent 4,000 in my first month, so if you're actually monitoring your expenditure, you shouldn't have any problems.

The only concern about money should be if things go really bad, and you need to leave; not something that I would support morally. I'm just pointing out that the big financial danger that people face coming to China is the cost of not having done due diligence on their employer and just rolling the dice hoping everything will be ok. The odds are not in their favour.

[Non Sequitur]

Good points.
Expenses assume you've got a legit visa. But if you've got an apartment it's likely to be a uni job and everything's kosher.
Unis have student cafeterias and some have staff only outlets on weekdays.
You can be fed well for 5-10RMB.
I55 on Gaoerji Lu was a good Western cafe/bar when I was last there in 2010.
Sunday brunch is sausages, scrambled eggs, baked beans etc etc.
Good way to keep sane and prepare for the new week.

[hdeth]

That's enough for a month, or 2 if you stretch it. I don't understand why anyone would make an international move without $10k USD in the bank but I guess I'm more conservative than most. If you have some problem with your employer and need to fly back to your home country you could be in deep doo doo.

[Emp1]

Likely having not much money in the bank in their own country is what makes someone want to come to China to begin with.

I mean why slave away on some McJob for 40 hours a week in America when you can have a better quality of life working for 14 over here?

No one with a 'good' job in the west would come to China to teach ESL, let's face it. Never met a qualified engineer, accountant, banker, lawyer etc over here, it's all political science majors and people who used to work in supermarkets etc.

[djwheat]

Bloody cold up there though I bet.

[vikeologist]

[djwheat]

Lol

[maxand]

[Non Sequitur]

No penguins - they're in the Sthn Hemisphere.
It's the October/November cold in Dalian and Qingdao that got me.
OK after the first snow but the grinding wind and cold before then is deadening.