Job Discussion Forums

JeremyDay · Joined: 11 Apr 2016 Posts: 58

I'd appreciate some help.

I have a yearly offer of 203,000 RMB in Tianjin.

I have a yearly offer of 174,000 RMB in Zhangjiagang.

Can anyone out there tell me which offer is strongest based on cost of living? 29,000 RMB seems like a huge difference to me. However, I am not entirely sure when calculating based on the cost of living difference.

The other aspects of the jobs are very similar. As well as other benefits.

I'd appreciate opinions. I'm torn between both offers, and I'm having a hard time.

Thanks,

J

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

I would think that Zhangjiagang would have a lower cost of living. It is wealthier by per-capita income than Tianjin, but having lived and travelled in that area, I felt the costs were still lower than the mega-cities. Plus, it is a rather nice city (by Chinese standards) and well situated to more.

JeremyDay · Joined: 11 Apr 2016 Posts: 58

Thank you for the reply. I've had a hard time judging cost of living differences for the two. I too am certain that the cost of living in Zhangjiagang is less... I just don't know if the 29,000 counteracts that or...

Maybe if folks could also shed some light on the cost of apartments in both areas?

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

No problem, but unless it turns out to be a signifiant difference, there is the quality of life issue, which I would have to think favors Zhangjiagang.

Yes, it is frustrating trying to find cost-of-living figures that are accurate. Tianjin it seems typically ranks about tenth in terms of most expensive city to live in China. I lived in Jiaingyin(still miss it) and Jingjiang(stay away) both nearby Zhangjiagang and both were livable in terms of cost. There used to be a great Western owned pizzeria in the model section of Zhangjiagang, and risked my life playing a couple games of golf on the river island course so I got the impression from some time there that it was a little more pricey, but still in the reasonable range.

Hope you like being taken to river fish themed restaurants if you choose Zhangjiagang. Just wait until a rich student treats you to dao yu and you feel obligated to try to eat it.

JeremyDay · Joined: 11 Apr 2016 Posts: 58

I have no idea what that is... maybe that is for the better. Still weighing the merits of both positions.

claka77 · Joined: 21 May 2015 Posts: 39

Zhangjiagang is a beautiful place however if you're new to China don't go there (particularly if you're going to work in a training centre, you'll have no time to get out and explore)! If you're at a training centre, there's a high probability that there won't be enough foreigners on the staff (or foreigners who don't have the appropriate visa which means they'll have to travel in order to get one). At a place I worked, that meant instead of doing 5 days you may teach 6 days instead (with no guarantee of getting a future day off). I lived in Guangdong (Guangzhou and Shenzhen, Korea before that) before going to Zhangjiagang. Also, getting a bus to Shanghai, Nanjing or Suzhou is a pain (there's no train link yet however I think in 2017 or 2018 there will be a train linking Changzhou to Shanghai). Zhangjiagang is reasonable in terms of cost though and the air is pretty good (compared to Tianjin I'd imagine, I haven't been there though). If you're going to Zhangjiagang to teach primary school or university then at least it maybe worth it as you'll get time off (the former will just involve teaching your lessons, the latter will at least have serious vacation time). Good luck whichever way you go!

Mixal · Joined: 08 Apr 2015 Posts: 80

Is the accommodation included?

If it is, there won't be much difference as the only thing that matters is your lifestyle. Oh, and in Z you'll be less tempted to throw the money away.

JeremyDay · Joined: 11 Apr 2016 Posts: 58

Both of those numbers include the housing stipend. It is appear that the Jury is still split.

ymmv · Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 387

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

It's really not such a big deal to get to a travel hub if you are in a smaller city in that part of Jiangsu. Lots to see and do in the region. Tianjin has the obvious benefit of Beijing.

ymmv · Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 387

Mixal · Joined: 08 Apr 2015 Posts: 80

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

max71081 · Joined: 05 Aug 2015 Posts: 125

JeremyDay · Joined: 11 Apr 2016 Posts: 58

Thanks for the input everyone.

How much will I spend if I eat like a local in Tianjin? Zhangjiagang?

Housing cost for Tianjin? Zhangjiagang? Just a single bedroom apartment.

I'm just trying to surmise if I will come out ahead going to Tianjin or Zhangjiagang?

From what I'm hearing, Zhangjiagang is the winner in regards to quality of life and surrounding cities. Or at least most people seem to think so.

Obviously Tianjin yuan are weaker than Zhangjiagang yuan. It would probably be like comparing New York to Arkansas. Just back to the original question of whether or not 29,000 RMB is sufficient to counterbalance the increased cost of living?