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doogsville
Joined: 17 Nov 2011
Posts: 924
Location: China
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 Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2016 1:38 pm Post subject: |
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I'm on 8300 for an 'up to 16 hour week', which has never panned out to more than 12 hours in the four plus years I've been here. Never had more than three different classes a week either, so prep time isn't much more, and less with each year as you've already done the PPT's and handouts etc and know the books off by heart. That's not a great deal here in Zhuhai though. Other uni's here pay more, but may work you harder. Downside is I started on 8k so I've only had one 300 yuan raise in 5 contracts. This will be my last year there though.
What do I do with all the free time? I've just finished my first novel which is about to wing it's way to various agents and publishers and I'm ten percent into the first draft of novel number 2. I cook, eat, clean, read, write, walk, cycle, shop, sleep, and generally grow as a human being. I breathe clean air and look up at the blue sky in this tier 3 city, or hike and bike into the countryside for a bit more space. Not a bad life. |
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max71081
Joined: 05 Aug 2015
Posts: 125
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| Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2016 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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| doogsville wrote: |
What do I do with all the free time? I've just finished my first novel which is about to wing it's way to various agents and publishers and I'm ten percent into the first draft of novel number 2. |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTSGp4UdEvQ |
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CNexpatesl
Joined: 27 May 2015
Posts: 194
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| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2016 8:53 am Post subject: |
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I know guys that are complaining now that they can't live off of 14k-15k in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, which is roughly the average ESL salary in these big cities.
Cost of living is rapidly rising. |
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Ray Of Light
Joined: 27 Sep 2016
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2016 5:29 am Post subject: |
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| LAR1SSA wrote: |
Well that is a good question. It really depends on where you want to go and what your qualifications are but here is an overview from my months of research. I personally set a 20,000 RMB limit and achieved it.
I see salaries advertising 7,000-10,000 RMB all the time and I am always thinking who on earth would work for so little. I'm guessing those without any experience. Recruiters will salivate over you. DON'T FALL FOR AGGRESSIVE RECRUITERS who don't meet your salary demands. They often advertise a high paying job and when you mail them they say its been filled and offer something lower. One of the first recruiters said I was asking too much, when I said I will only accept 18,000 RMB after tax or more w/ flat. I told him about jobs I saw that did pay this and he said they are probably fake. I told him I'll find a new recruiter. I found a British one and it made a big difference.
Here are the legitimate offers I got:
1. Qingdao with teens at a Korean International School for 18,333 RMB after tax (no housing unless I stay in the dorm but lots of extra, but paid mandatory work) (2nd tier)
2. Wuhan primary school for 2,200 USD flat on campus included.
3. International primary school in Shenzen with 20,000 RMB (before tax) flat included
4. Private kindergarten in Shanghai with 22,000 RMB (before tax) 8,500 flat allowance.
5. Head teacher at a training school for 23,000 RMB (no flat allowance) in Ningbo (2nd tier)
All jobs had round trip tickets, all jobs had at least 5 weeks vacation in addition to all national holidays, some had 10 weeks. All sponsored VISA cost. All offered for dependents to attend schools heavily discounted or free.
I made a budget and I could live a very comfortable life with all of those. Even with the 2,200 in Wuhan, a dirt cheap city. I've never been to China before but I had 4 years ESL teaching experience from Russia and Ukraine. I also had an online TEFL and a master's in a liberal arts subject. You could go for 25,000 if you wanted, but you are quite late in the game. Most good jobs are taken, but you could get lucky and get some teachers who quit for personal reasons (and not that school sucks).
My only concern though, is that teaching children is where the money is at. That is where my experience was. You've been teaching adults and only adult teaching is at universities (oddly, very low paying but with lower hours usually) and training centers (shit hours not so great money). |
This is very helpful. Recruiters are aggressive, I have found. Did you get the offers mentioned from schools direct advertising? This process is very overwhelming. So many choices and it seems like a lot of misinformation floating about. That's why recruiters are tempting because they promise to resolve a lot of the confusing steps into one-stop-shopping. |
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getbehindthemule
Joined: 15 Oct 2015
Posts: 712
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2016 7:25 am Post subject: |
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| CNexpatesl wrote: |
I know guys that are complaining now that they can't live off of 14k-15k in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, which is roughly the average ESL salary in these big cities.
Cost of living is rapidly rising. |
If they can't live off 14-15k in Shanghai they are really living it up  |
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ghost
Joined: 30 Jan 2003
Posts: 1693
Location: Saudi Arabia
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| Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 2:41 am Post subject: cost of living |
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| Quote: |
I know guys that are complaining now that they can't live off of 14k-15k in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, which is roughly the average ESL salary in these big cities.
Cost of living is rapidly rising. |
I have never really understood this complaint re the cost of living in big cities, because if you are working for a university, then your accommodation is taken care of automatically, free - beyond bills and utilities which is the same for everyone. I just looked at my recent salary details, and they (the office) took off just 175 yuan in utilities - and I imagine that this might be an average figure.
Food, might be a little bit more expensive in restaurants, but this is countered by the fact that all the more expensive cities have migrants on low salaries where there are restaurants catering to their budgets also.
Buying food should not cost more in those Tier 1 cities either, and you actually have more choice.
I think the cost of living 'problem' in those Tier 1 cities is really exaggerated and may not be so much of an issue. The issue is what people do with their salaries and whether they have the discipline for refraining from spending it all.
Having said the above, I am referring to salaries in the 14/15k region with free accommodation. I can understand that 14k/15k per month would be an issue if people had to pay for their own accommodation, as decent accommodation for foreigners would not be had for less than 4000 per month in those cities, the last time I checked (last year).
Ghost in China |
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getbehindthemule
Joined: 15 Oct 2015
Posts: 712
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 5:09 am Post subject: |
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True Ghost,
Utilities and food are cheap in SH.
My monthly bills over the past three years were approx: Electricity 50-120, Water 20-50, Gas 50-100, Internet 120, Phone 60.
So on average, less than 400yuan/month total cost!
(gas and water are actually bi-monthly, not monthly, so even less)
For a lot of people in their first year, they will tend to need more spending money due to...let's call it newbie tax, not knowing where the good cheap eats are, getting taxis all the time instead of using the metro (which is super convenient), etc.
Also the temptation of going out drinking too much over the weekend, trying to meet ppl etc. etc. I had many 1k+ nights out on numerous occasions in my first year here.
But in saying that one can live a very comfortable existance on 6k/month spending money. If I wanted to save more and didn't go out for expensive drinks and meals over the weekend I could live comfortably enough on half of that.
I think it's very manageable for teachers to at least save half of their salary on an average wage in SH. |
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JoThomas
Joined: 08 Jan 2017
Posts: 148
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 8:08 am Post subject: Re: cost of living |
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^That information is really good to know as I'm moving to Shanghai in six months. Cheers
| ghost wrote: |
| Quote: |
I know guys that are complaining now that they can't live off of 14k-15k in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, which is roughly the average ESL salary in these big cities.
Cost of living is rapidly rising. |
I have never really understood this complaint re the cost of living in big cities, because if you are working for a university, then your accommodation is taken care of automatically, free - beyond bills and utilities which is the same for everyone. I just looked at my recent salary details, and they (the office) took off just 175 yuan in utilities - and I imagine that this might be an average figure.
Food, might be a little bit more expensive in restaurants, but this is countered by the fact that all the more expensive cities have migrants on low salaries where there are restaurants catering to their budgets also.
Buying food should not cost more in those Tier 1 cities either, and you actually have more choice.
I think the cost of living 'problem' in those Tier 1 cities is really exaggerated and may not be so much of an issue. The issue is what people do with their salaries and whether they have the discipline for refraining from spending it all.
Having said the above, I am referring to salaries in the 14/15k region with free accommodation. I can understand that 14k/15k per month would be an issue if people had to pay for their own accommodation, as decent accommodation for foreigners would not be had for less than 4000 per month in those cities, the last time I checked (last year).
Ghost in China |
Good post. I've been in Beijing for three years now and most months I send half of my paycheck home.
I live a good life on 9,000 rmb a month spending money. I don't have to worry about accommodation or utilities. I get massages every week, eat out twice a week or more (western), pay a gym membership, and do what I want to an extent.
It is possible to live well in Beijing if you budget. You have to really make sure you know your budget because it can be easy to spend more money on western goods (shopping and eating out), and drinking can be expensive at some bars/restaurants.
The cost of living has risen over the last few years in Beijing, but you have to know how to budget and where to go to save money. If you have to pay for accommodations this will take a lot out of your salary as apartments aren't that cheap here. |
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Tazz
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 512
Location: Jakarta
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| Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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On 3k spending a month, which I'm sure is possible-you'd exist in Shanghai, nothing more. Would be a pretty frugal existence for sure. A full programme of weekend recreational entertainment is going to well exceed 6k a month as well....unless your idea of recreation is joining the book discussion group at someone's house, prolonged strolls in the park, or sumptuous roadside BBQ feasts.  |
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danshengou
Joined: 17 Feb 2016
Posts: 434
Location: A bizarre overcrowded hole
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| Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 4:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Tazz wrote: |
| On 3k spending a month, which I'm sure is possible-you'd exist in Shanghai, nothing more. Would be a pretty frugal existence for sure. A full programme of weekend recreational entertainment is going to well exceed 6k a month as well....unless your idea of recreation is joining the book discussion group at someone's house, prolonged strolls in the park, or sumptuous roadside BBQ feasts. |
It all depends on your goals and qualifications. If you don't care about money, then working for peanuts is ok. But you won't have enough for return flights home and a decent standard of living (8-10k per month on rent) plus some savings on less then 30k a month (pre-tax) in Shanghai in my view. If your housing and flights are paid, then 20k is what you should aim for (as an individual) plus at least 6 weeks off paid. |
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danshengou
Joined: 17 Feb 2016
Posts: 434
Location: A bizarre overcrowded hole
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| Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 4:21 pm Post subject: |
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| creeper1 wrote: |
I just don't get what people do with all the free time. Especially if you are in a tier 3 city.
Do tier 3 cities even have a Starbucks?
And more importantly could you afford to buy a coffee?
BORING!
What are you doing with the free time? |
Unless you live in or near the expat areas of the TIER 1 cities, life in China will definitely be BORING! |
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danshengou
Joined: 17 Feb 2016
Posts: 434
Location: A bizarre overcrowded hole
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| Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 4:24 pm Post subject: |
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| getbehindthemule wrote: |
| creeper1 wrote: |
I just don't get what people do with all the free time. Especially if you are in a tier 3 city.
BORING!
What are you doing with the free time? |
One word I wouldn't use to describe living here is BORING, although I do live in Shanghai. I'm here 3 years and it still feels new and exciting to me. I love the vibe here. During the long holidays I leave China for a time, having the freedom to do this is bliss!
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As per the comments above, the advice shall always be to live in or close to the tier 1 city expat areas and leave China often, then you will be ok for an extended stay. Otherwise, forget it. |
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The bear
Joined: 16 Aug 2015
Posts: 483
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| Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2017 12:58 am Post subject: |
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| danshengou wrote: |
| creeper1 wrote: |
I just don't get what people do with all the free time. Especially if you are in a tier 3 city.
Do tier 3 cities even have a Starbucks?
And more importantly could you afford to buy a coffee?
BORING!
What are you doing with the free time? |
Unless you live in or near the expat areas of the TIER 1 cities, life in China will definitely be BORING! |
Come on, that's not true. I've never lived in a Tier 1 city and this is my 5th year in China. If that's your opinion, the problem isn't with China, the problem's wit you.
I'll admit Tier 1 (Beijing, Shanghai - arguably Guangzhou and Shenzhen included) offer more 'western' entertainment options, but so most other major cities nowadays. Just google 'City name [expat / foreign / events]' etc. and you'll see. |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2017 1:04 am Post subject: |
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| Why come to China if what you're seeking is Santa Monica? |
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danshengou
Joined: 17 Feb 2016
Posts: 434
Location: A bizarre overcrowded hole
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| Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2017 2:36 am Post subject: |
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| Well, some of you might say, "I don't need any comforts! I don't need money! I'm a TEFLer and all I need is adventure!" Well, if that's you, then head for the 'real China" and work for peanuts on the edge of an economic zone, eat lousy food, live under gloomy smog-filled skies amongst the constant cacophony of honking and ceaseless construction and hordes of loud people swarming everywhere, and breath toxic air all while marveling at your sluggish Internet and the endless sprawl of apartment towers. More power to you. Enjoy! |
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