Job Discussion Forums

[grizzlies03]

Everybody is saying that China pays little, but 5000RMB per month is considered a lot of money here, right?

[bdawg]

meh, I would say it is enough to have a comfortable life.

Yet, I've noticed that there is a neat correlation between the length of stay and the amount of money needed..

When I started out here last year I had a fairly low salary, and for about four months I had more money than I knew what to do with. Everything is so CHEAP! Then you get a life. 6 months later I'm doubling my income with extra tutor gigs and am finding it tough to make ends meet.

But that's just me.

[william wallace]

Nothing to say.

[bdawg]

Don't forget to think in terms of disposable income. If your company pays for your house, utilities and flights home, and you don't have other finanical commitments (ie. loan payments, child support, whatever...) your 5000RMB is essentially 100% disposable. You have to buy food, well...to live, but other than that, go hog wild with your cash. When you think like that 120RMB for bungee jumping is pretty cheap.

[struelle]

[quote]Everything is so CHEAP![/qoute]

I don't want to quote you out of context, as I read the rest of your post and it makes sense. But when peope say stuff like, "Oh, it's so cheap here", that is a very misleading statement.

For myself, I got used to a lifestyle of frequent eat outs, lots of trips around the region, and all kinds of conveniences. It did not take long to get used to that!! But when I came back to Vancouver, geez, talk about sticker shock.

The problem, as I see it, is that you are cash rich but income poor when you teach in China. Sure you've got lots of disposable income with that that monthly 5000RMB paycheque. But when you try and save that money for returning home, what does it amont to? You got it, very little.

I was making nearly 10K in Shanghai, but that was just above the poverty line if you translated it into Vancouver income and the outrageous living costs over here.

Steve

[Babala]

Griz,
I depends on what all you have going on. If you are hoping to send alot of money back home or trying to pay off student loans then no, it's not alot of money. If you have no responsibles back home (house, loan payments..) and you are not planning to take piles of cash back with you, then yes (depending on the area, places like Shanghai are way more expensive), if your housing and utilities are included in the package. When I first came here about 3 years ago, I made 4000RBM per month. I was able to eat out at western restaurants, travel, shop, all on 4000RMB. So if you are able to come with no fianancial ties then I would say that 5000RMB will do you fine.

[bdawg]

[Brian Caulfield]

It depends where you live doesn't it? Last year I was in Wuxi Jiangsu and now I am in Shanxi province . My money goes twice as far here .