Job Discussion Forums

timmyjames1976 · Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 148

Hi,

I am very ignorant to the costs of living in China. I have looked at some schools, and the pay seems fairly low. I am not out to make a fortune, but I do have student loans and such to deal with. Is say, 2500rmb enough to live off of for a month after the big bills are paid? I have read that things like haircuts, busrides, tea, and what not are very cheap. What is the overall cost of living like? I know I am being general because China is a very big place, but general answers are even helpful. I just want to know if I will be able to make ends meet. Any help would be great. Thannk you!!

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

You may be able to live on 2500 rmb, but it is a ridiculously low wage even if housing and airfare are included. Costs will vary a little to a lot, depending on your location and lifestyle. If your school is close to the downtown area then you might be able to use taxis for 15 rmb a shot. Where I am it can cost 50-100 to get a taxi home at night. Keep in mind that many schools are located WAY out of town. You can eat well here for 10-20 rmb for dinner, especially if you are with a group. If you want to spend 100-200 on a meal you can do that too. The school cafeteria costs around 7. My utilities run less than 500 per month. At some schools you don't have to pay any utilities. Many teachers try to save some of their salary to fund some travel during their time in China. Again, costs can vary depending on if you are happy in hostels or you prefer 5 star hotels. I can buy a big bottle of juice for 8rmb and a Pepsi for about 2. Big water bottles for your apartment will cost about 5 or 6 and you might have to pay a deposit. There was a thread here a while back about the costs of things in different parts of China, you might want to do a search. 2500 rmb per month might cover your costs but it is a very low wage.

efm270 · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 6

What are your qualifications? I have a BA and a TESL, but no experience teaching. I have been able to find a number of positions that will offer me something in the range of 4000-5500, plus accomadation. If you're trying to pay off a student loan, China probably isn't the place to do it. You might find something for 6000 RMB, but that's a bit tougher. You should be able to live comfortably (or so I hear, I'm not there yet), but the exchange rate won't really let you send a fortune back home. Plus, with some jobs there's a strict limit on the amount of cash you can convert to Can/US dollars.

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

I think what the OP meant is that he will have 2000 to 2500 RMB/month LEFTOVER after he pays his bills...which is doable.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

The OP also should have told us what kind of job he is looking at since good public schools will house him, and even no-frills training centres thaty follow the letter of the law will have to provide basics. 2500 saved at the month's end? Or for his personal use?
In a dynamic urban jungle such as Shenzhen, 2500 don't go far! That's what you will need for food and transport by bus unless you get school housing and a cheap canteen.

No Moss · Joined: 15 Apr 2003 Posts: 1995 Location: Thailand

Aargh! Well, let me say that China is cheap if you can live a Chinese person. But what if you want to buy some books in English (other than vintage classics like "Pride and Prejudice"), take a trip to the States or the UK, have a nice steak dinner, or splurge for a nice bottle of wine? Then we're not talking about cheap anymore. You can certainly live cheaply, but the question is whether you can live cheaply without relief. I can't. I like a little luxury every now and then, so I'm not a 4 or 5 or 6k kinda guy. How do people get by on wages like that?

Volodiya · Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 2:11 am Post subject:

Timmy, China has got to be one of the cheapest places in the world to live, but it will take you some time to get the hang of how best to economize.

I spend less than 2000 RMB a month on living expenses (excluding clothing, medical care, travel and gifts). I live mainly like a Chinese person: buses cost 1 RMB to ride to the end of the route; a good haircut (at a shop which caters to locals) costs 8 RMB; a simple meal, with a cola, costs 3.5 RMB. Tea is a little pricey, with a decent cup often costing more than a bottle of beer in a restaurant: better to buy good tea and drink it at home.

My base of expenses includes lots of local beer and wine (3 RMB and 16 RMB, respectively) [where I live we have "Sunshine" wine, from Xin Jiang province, both red and white] and good Australian wine that I and my non-drinking friends pick up (for me) at duty free for about 70 RMB; also, lots of meals out at restaurants (about 10 RMB: 20 RMB in a really fine local restaurant/person). There is no tipping. Prices vary by city, but I haven't been shocked at the prices in either Beijing or Chengdu.

Can you spend more? Of course you can and many do, just as you would in the west if you ate steak dinners, drank in posh bars, etc., it's just that it's not necessary, if you truly enjoy living in a foreign country and are not looking too often for a "taste of home". And it wouldn't be fair not to add that men who are dating are naturally going to run much higher expenses than I do- just as I would, if I were dating.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I too want to go "arrgh!" - asinine questions about budgeting by those who have never lived abroad shouldn'[t be asked here in the first place; you come here NOT to repay your loans but to experience a different lifestyle, and if that's not on your agenda you should not seek a job here.
My first monthly pay was RMB 1300, then worth as much as RMB 2500 now (devaluation took place shortly after my arrival here). I spent several months living off my entire monthly income while in Shenzhen. A round trip from Shenzhen to Hong Kong cost me over 60 kuai out of those 2500; accommodation took another 50 to 100, and shopping set me back anyhwere from 200 to 500. I didn't give up and never envied those fat cats that parked their SUVs on the curb outside our school, being entertained in the 4th floor karaok by girls that charged them 400 for the evening. Clearly, as a FT I was a dirt poor nobody. Life did pick up some time later when circumstances changed without so much as my own doing it. Suddenly, I was able to shop for better groceries, and I didn't have to worry about money when visiting Hong Kong to pick up my mail there.
I still don't make much above the average teacher except when I work on the side - which nearly always triples my monthly income.

But I am getting a little tired of those enquriies about the money here; be a little more mature and work off your ass before you start dreaming of experiencing a foreign culture on its own terms. If you can't survive here on local terms you don't belong here. Come as a tourist on a cheap package tour.

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

dazzaa26 · Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Posts: 57 Location: Harbin

timmyjames1976 - I think you upset a certain Roger with your post on the website with a post that he deemed unworthwhile. tut tut.

But alas - I reckon 2500 is a decent enough chunk of spending money to see you through a month. You won't be able to save much though.

Volodiya · Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 7:19 am Post subject:

Hey, Kev,

No, I haven't stooped to eating mice, yet! This is the price for Sichuan Noodles, or rice noodles with beef, including a cola. A bottle of Coca Cola is 1 RMB here, bought in a cafe. These meals are quite filling and good tasting. We have a tremendous variety of cafes and restaurants, all Chinese, that offer distinctively different kinds of foods, prepared in many different ways. But, I would never try to sell someone on what's good, and what's not, and what's tolerable day in and day out.

dazzaa26 · Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Posts: 57 Location: Harbin

Is that the old style coca-cola bottles? The traditional glass bottles?

They are cool. Even so, one yuan is a bargain!

Volodiya · Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2005 1:41 am Post subject:

Just so.

Brian Caulfield · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 1247 Location: China

Low pay low estime and for what ? I am tired of Chinese tellling me I must save . So I can go back to Canada with what ? You make more money on welfare in Canada . After working in Korea and Taiwan I thought that teachers would be treated with respect in China . Every teacher I meet here tells me the same thing . They are working here and spending money from home . And working like the sorcerers apprentice .
As far as being a foreign expert . You will be making the lowest salary of anyone and the Chinese will constantly be telling you how much you make compared to them . And you wonder how they pay for all their toys like lab tops and cellular phones and expensive suits . I am not a buss driver or construction worker and don't like to be compared to one . I might make twice the salary of the Chinese teacher but I am ten times better than they are . And I don't sleep for four hours a day on the job . They teach 5 hours a week and some in my office never teach . And when you cut the numbers , students tuition , teachers salaries : you realize that people are making a lot of money .

You pay your way here and may or may not be reimbursed .

tofuman · Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 937

I was shopping for a "luxury" item and suggested that a good price would be beneficial to the vendor because other teachers would see it and I could tell them I bought it from her. "Ha!" she snorted, "Teachers have no money to buy anyway."

People continually tell me how respected teachers are in China, but it is mostly other teachers telling me this. Teachers scorn beauticians and hair stylists, but they are truly taking advantage of the new opportunities to open their own business and pocket the profits. A hair straightening, highlights, and cut can cost about 400 yuan. It takes about 4 hours, but the beautician is working on other clients at the same time. Then there is a mark up on the obligatory hair products to also go in the proprietor's pocket. It's a good gig, without the politics and power struggles that go on in a school or any other organization. No "boss," no "colleagues." Just get yourself a foxy assistant with a pretty face and cute bottom and you are in business.

The people that are respected here are the ones making MONEY. Teachers not included.

FTs are often resented for "making more money," at best tolerated, not respected.