Job Discussion Forums

[jeffinflorida]

I am considering taking a job in Shenzhen and would like to get a little insight into the quality of life in Shenzhen.

Can anyone who has lived there give me some insight.

I know it is a very big city so if you can give me an idea if Shenzhen is a worthy place to have a quality existance.

Thanks

[mjlpsu]

Really depends on what district you're living in and what you enjoy doing. And depending on the district, salary becomes an issue.

[dvasas]

I have only visited there and it seemed like an advanced and new city, but it is the only place in China that I have been, but I was impressed.

[poof]

Shenzhen, shudder, shudder!! I went there a couple of times and I experienced so many mugging attempts, it was quite offputting. I thought Shenzhen overall was quite a dump (sorry). It is a place that literally sprung up overnight with lots of horrible architecture and concrete expressways criss-crossing everywhere, and likewise a whole sleth of people looking to beg and rob from the rich daytrippers from Hong Kong. And, yes, I did visit Futien, which is supposed to be the upmarket district - and thought pretty much the same.

If you're thinking of Shenzhen, in my opinion it would be much better to base yourself in Hong Kong with a job and make occasional day trips to Shenzhen.

[jeffinflorida]

The area that I am comtemplating to live and work in is called Kuichong in the Longgang district.

Anyone have insight on this area ?

[jwbhomer]

Sorry to tell you Longgang is rather industrialized and "down-market". Futian and Nanshan are the best districts in which to live and work. Nanshan is where Shenzhen University is. Just south of there you'll find Shekou, where all the expats hang out.
Shenzhen is not so bad as made out above. It IS a bit soulless, but in my view -- I lived there for two years -- it's the best city in Guangdong.

[Lhorde]

Well, girls in Shenzhen are prettier and have more class than in, say Guangzhou.

[Steppenwolf]

Longgang is outside the city proper and past a now defunct checkpoint (that used to separate the SEZ from the hinterland and keep out undesired migrants with no Shenzhen residency card). The district sprawls in the NE corner of the Shenzhen S.E.Z.. I think the town you mentioned is really isolated (I have never been there though I spent 3 years in Shenzhen).
In the same district you will find YANTIAN, which is a port town and infamous for a middle school based there that has caused many bad reports.

Much better life awaits you in Shenzhen city, i.e. Futian, Luohu or Nanshan. The latter is to the west and home to theme parks, the univesity and Shekou with its expat scene (several thousand oilrig workers).
FUtian is home to the new government structures (some of which are still in their old location to the east of the district).
Luohu is Shenzhen's No. 1 business district and has the city's train station.

I can't find much in favour of Shenzhen; there are a few fine parks (Donghu, Xianhu, the theme parks mentioned above), and that's it. The city is uninspiring, unfriendly and in places appallingly dirty. Crime is much higher than elsewhere in Guangdong (except Guangzhou).
And that should surprise no one since Shenzhen used to lead the national income league (which now is headed by Shanghai). It attracted hordes of migrants (hence the checkpoints - the first time I passed through one of those on my way to Guangdong to the north the guardians were wearing bulletproof vests).
It has also steadily attracted FTs but few manage to get a respectable job. It's a fast-paced place but unlike Hong Kong next door, it has hardly any features that endear it to you!

[jeffinflorida]

I'll have to doouble check if I will be living in that section or just working there. Sounds like a drab part of town.

[mandu]

i have been here in shenzhen for almost 6 years,this city in that time has grown very fast.
i live in luohu Iam a 15min walk from dongmen

there is no problem to find work.entertainment- could be better,if you are into clubs and bars or eating out then its good.
if you like dvds then there are some good dvd shops around.they have a department store call the mix c its expencive but they have a supermarket there which sells you can buy things from your own country.
star bucks coffee is getting more popular.
peoples driving has improved alot here and they have the whisltle blowers at the intersections now and thats catching on now.people do wait to cross the road.
i think the city is pretty clean.
i went and saw superman at the movie theater and it was packed. afew years ago it wasnt like that.
everyday you can see somthing new or different.going to hongkong is so much easier now.

living here in shenzhen is not to bad

[chacma]

[No Moss]

I don't know, I've lived in Shenzhen (near Nanshan) for three years and I've never had a problem with mugging. I have heard of at least one person who had his pocket slit with a razor on a minibus. Minibuses are now illegal in Shenzhen. Plus I have know one woman who had someone attempt to rob her purse, have seen one person try to steal a cell phone on a bus, and have known one person who was injured in a confrontation.

I'm not sure that constitutes a serious problem. Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam was much more dangerous.

Be street smart and don't walk the streets after midnight.

[cj750]

[Millerlong]

"Don't walk the streets after midnight"? Well that kind of sucks. Go to Shanghai mate where you will not have to worry about crime.

I have also heard about the muggings in Shenzhen and I would definitely not want to locate myself there. Once I thought that it could be kind of cool being so close to Hong Kong, however I visited Hong Kong for 4 days and found it kind of boring. Like I said "GO TO SHANGHAI", definitely the best city in China by far!!!

[jeffinflorida]