Job Discussion Forums

[Dalaoer]

OK, folks, I'm looking at relocating to BJ and here's my first firm offer:

10K/m for 20hrs/wk
1.5k/m accomm. allowance
The rest is the usual: flights, holidays, etc

BTW, this is an international school in Chaoyang, I'd be teaching computing/maths. It's in Chaoyang (betwen 3rd & 4th ring roads), so accomm. should be pretty steep, or so I've heard. I need your input because I have no idea of the 'real' living costs in BJ.

I've 6 yrs experience (in China), master's in IT, DipTEFL. What do you think? How far do you think I can push them?

Cheers

[KL]

I live in Chaoyang. It's a bigger area of BJ than most people realize. Housing runs the gamut from top, top market to average places. 1500 housing allowance is definitley a supplement. It won't cover your housing expenses. One thing to keep in mind is that there is not subway line here yet and the traffic is pretty intense. It would probably be a good idea to find something as close to your workplace as possible. Can't comment on the salary, because I really don't know. Check That's Beijing website and scan the real estate section for Chaoyang apts. to get some idea. You can also see the salaries being offered for other BJ teaching jobs to get a feel for your deal.

[kimo]

I'm no longer in Beijing but I can tell you That's Beijing ads for housing are usually on the expensive side as they're being aimed at foreigners who supposedly have deeper pockets.

If you've lived in China for six years, Chinese housing (meaning, a little older and little less comfortable) ought to be cheaper. Ask your school to help you out with this.

Your salary of 10,000 will be enough unless you're the extravagant type who likes to spend all your time in 30RMB-per-bottle bars.

If you could tell us the exact location of your school it would be more helpful too. If you're up near the Third Ring Road North (I know of at least one Int'l School up that way), you might not be far away from an area where many foreign students live. This could bode well in finding decent housing.

[Dalaoer]

Thanks, folks.

The school is right on the northwestern corner of Chaoyang Park (the big Chaoyang Gongyuan), exactly halfway between the two Ring Roads East (3rd and 4th). It's in that Sino-Japan Youth Exchange Center thingummy.

I don't know BJ too well, just been there a couple of times, but that strikes me as a semi-posh area. The salary is OK I guess. I'm just a bit disappointed that it's on the low side considering what international schools offer. I like the job, but my current uni job in Liaoning seems better financially (6.7K, accomm., utilities, etc), comparing the costs of living. My wife and I live very well here on less than 2K/month. This new job would definitely be better in terms of career prospects, but I'm not sure I want to step down the financial ladder in the process

No, Kimo, fortunately I'm not the 30RMB-beer type at all. I'm more the 15RMB-a-head-meal-in-a-family-restaurant-and-a-walk-in-the-park sort of character. I don't pursue western amenities at all, so I'm not very afraid of the cost of living in BJ. It's the housing and transportation that that has me sh*tless

Anyway, thanks for the info again. Off to do some homework!

Cheers