Job Discussion Forums

[fish out of water]

Hi,

2000rmb Housing allowance, around US$1300 salary, teaching in Shanghai.

May I know whether the above is a reasonable salary? I was told by some that I can only rent a small and old apartment for 2000rmb in Shanghai and the apartment may have problems with heating and water supply. Is that true?

Thanks.

[MITCH]

FOOW,

The salary you mentioned is a good teaching salary. About 10,000 rmb + the housing allowance. But it also depends on your working hours.
I wouldn't complain.

To get a reasonable apartment, you may need to pay more if you want to live like a king. It all depends on your location, and your requirements. You can find a newly furbished or new one bedroom apartment (40m2) for that price. Like a hotel room, with fast internet connection. It's worth checking out some older apartments, as you can get a real bargain sometimes (2 or 3 bedrooms). Ask a Chinese friend to check a few out first, and give them a detailed description of what you want. Tell them about things like a security door (like a bank), and new inside, with all the furniture etc. That way you won't have to look at too many before you can make a decision.

The reason you ask a Chinese person to do it, is they know the market value, and can bargain it down. After the price has been set, you go and look at it to make the final decision. After you have exhausted your assistant, go and find one yourself.

If you search outside the center of downtown, you can find some nice ones in places like Zhongzhan park, or Putuo district. Of course Pudong is another place you can try, and it could be close to the subway.

There are no water supply problems, but you can get a cheap fan heater if you don't have a bed warmer.

Gotta Go, the Grand Prix is about to start.

Good Luck

[Lobster]

Yep, that housing allowance sounds adequate for Shanghai, but don't expect anything elaborate in downtown Puxi. Like MITCH said, you could get a nice place in Pudong or towards the outskirts. If you shell out another 500-600, you can get a very nice place. As for the wage, we couldn't say whether it's good or not unless we knew more about hours and travel etc. It sounds ok though, and you could certainly do worse. The note about beeing close to a subway station is important to note, because you don't want to be travelling any longer than you have to.

RED

[fish out of water]

Mitch n Lobster,

Thanks for your reassuring replies. I don't need to live like a king but I do need to stay somewhere safe and clean and yes, with fast internet connection. I don't need to stay in town, but hopefully somewhere not too far from town, for fear of having nothing to do at nite. It is of course, an added bonus if the place is new. So 2000rmb is enough for my requirements?

I need to work 35 hours a week, 7 hours a day which includes class time and office time, teaching children of expats. May be called upon to work on Saturdays if necessary.

I have never been to Shanghai but it sounds exciting to me. Is it exciting to you, having been there for a while?

Thank you so much.

[Lobster]

FooW,

You'll need to stay in town, preferably close to your school, because out of town in Shanghai means a loooong way out. Your 2k a month probably won't get you a new place, but one that's about 5-10 years old, but nicely furnished. What you'll get will depend a lot on how long you're willing to look. As I said, you may have to shell out a bit more for a classier place, but it will be worth it for the added comfort.

As far as internet, you may have to arrange that yourself, and it'll run you about 120 rmb/mo (6 months up front). If you don't have a compatible cable modem, you may need to buy that too for about 100.

You're working a lot of hours, although how much is teaching time I don't know. If it's not over 20 you'll be ok. Best of luck and keep us up to date. Is Shanghai exciting? Depends. I think Shanghai can be anything you want it to be (except quiet).

RED

[NathanRahl]

Umm, thats a good salary, thats a very good salary. I am guessing it is 25 teaching hours a week, with a couple of office hours, correct? The housing allowance is quite good also, your making out a lot better then I am. Even after you pay your bills you should have a lot left over. Now if your an outgoing person you will go through your money quick in Shanghai. From what I hear there is a lot to do, everything costs double, even triple then in rural area's, so any form of entertainment will be pricy as well. Still, 35 hours a week, that's actually very good for what your getting, sounds like you are working for a school directly, good for you. I'd love to know what school, I had hoped to find something in Shanghai myself, didn't get that lucky. Later

[poopsicola]

I do hope some posters stick entirely to Oral English and never actually put chalk to blackboard. There'd not be much face left even with the Junior Grade 1's.

[NathanRahl]

I re-read your post, not so sure after al that your geting all that good a deal. You said they may ned you to work Saturdays. In china that means you will definitly be working Saturdays. So, six days a week, your 35 hours just became over 40, hmm.

Your salary is commenserate with the amount of time your working. I make half what you do, but I have 17 teacing hours a week, and no office hours, and my housing costs are covered to, and it's a nice big place, so I am reasonably happy. I'd start looking at the perks at this point, cause that's a lot of hours to work.

Do they pay for any of your utilities? What about a food allowance of some kind? How about your holiday travel allowance, and finally, how much are they paying for your airfare in total? Insurance would be nice as well. Could be your getting that higher salary because your getting nothing else.