Job Discussion Forums

judgedredd · Joined: 16 Sep 2007 Posts: 41

I want to know, because I want to come and teach in China soon.. I will probably find a job at a university, and most of the positions I have inquired about offer in the region of 5000 rmb a month, with free accomodation.
But I am interested to know, how well can one live on that salary? I like to go out a lot, not neccesarily drinking every day but occasionaly is okay, I like dating girls, cinema, eating out, taking taxis quite a lot. I don't stay at home very often.
I haven't decide what city I will go to yet, but it won't be Shanghai or Beijing, but it will be a big city.
So, what to expect?

Lorean · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 476 Location: Beijing

Depends a lot on the type of girls you like.

Cinemas can be expensive here. Going up to 100 RMB a ticket.

IMO it depends a lot on the type of food you eat. If you can tolerate Chinese food, you can get by on 10-15 RMB a day. If you go out to decent restaurants every day you could spend 30-100 a day on food. Add coffee shops and that's another 30 RMB a day.

Drinking depends on the bar and type of drink. I'm not a big bar-hopper, so I can't remember the exact costs.

If I was living on your salary I would be saving ~2500 RMB a month living comfortably. If I was really trying to save money I could keep up to 4000 RMB a month.

judgedredd · Joined: 16 Sep 2007 Posts: 41

I like cute girls, good or bad, so long as they don't take the ****
Anyway thanks, you make it sound quite liveable.. I think..

I'm not expecting or hoping to save money, by the way..

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

eslstudies · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden

Taxis, while seemingly cheap to a Westerner, soon add up. If you're taking a girl out, she'll expect a decent restaurant as well, not a noodle bar. "Dating" is not as straight forward as in the West either.
If you want to lead a decent social life, 5000 might just be enough in some cities. Good you intend to avoid SH/BJ though!
On the other hand, if you eat school food, buy cheap beer, avoid movies and buy DVDs instead, you'll be able to save a couple of grand a month, but what's the point? China is still good value, so you may as well enjoy yourself.

MGreen · Joined: 22 May 2007 Posts: 81

Great Wall, you're assuming that McDonald's and KFC are real treats.

kungfucowboy83 · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 479

vikuk · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 1842

latefordinner · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 973

I'm on less than 5,000 (Well I have a second job one afternoon a week that puts another 1,000 in my pocket, but that comes to a close this month) and my wife and I manage to save a bit. Basically I give 4,000 a month to my wife to run the house on and keep the rest for my own fun money. She saves a bit each month. Sometimes I'm profligate and sometimes frugal. Don't go out drinking in bars very often, and when I do I don't drink until 3 in the morning. Don't do the dating scene either. Do spend money on western foods and wines from time to time, nice clothes about 3 times a year (wanting to look my professional best), occaisionally break down and grab a taxi rather than take the bus. Sometimes take students out to dinner, as they often do favours for me.

Can I afford a car? Not today, although that is one of the things that my wife is budgeting for in the long term. Maybe a small motor scooter, that would be well within reach. But then, I came here having a bit of my own money in reserve. I'm loathe to spend it, but when opportunity arises it is a resource that I can tap.

defjux84 · Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 21

i would be embarassed making under 10 gs.

vikuk · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 1842

latefordinner's post emphasises the fact that strong personal factors, like enjoying a local marriage, can make up for a low wage - but without 'em you are certainly vunerable to the China FT blues when all you find you've got to look forward to - during your China stay - is the 5000 type wage.
If all you're coming here for is the teaching (and I think in most cases it takes a very special type of person - to consider their FT work as the crowning point of their China experience) then give yourself the best possible get of jail card if the ol' fan starts to clog up - the highest wage possible!!!!!

judgedredd · Joined: 16 Sep 2007 Posts: 41

Thanks for all the replies, I think if I can get a minimum of 5000 outside of Shanghai or Beijing, plus maybe a bit of private tuition work somewhere, I'll be fine then..

To be honest I just want to know if I'll be able to afford the same easy-going, fun lifestyle that I have here in Thailand.. I'm certainly not heading to China with teaching as a priority!! I guess that will upset some of you on here lol

Much as I love Thailand, I need a change of scenery, and China appeals to me, despite some of the bad stories I've read on here, I have heard you can have a lot of fun too, right? Thats what I intend to do!

Thanks for your help Wink

jammish · Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 1704

McDonalds and KFC are hardly expensive. Pizza Hut is another matter, though.

My wife and I spend on average 900 RMB a week (That's what I make from my private tutoring, and we never touch my salary, we save the lot). That goes on 450 a month for the ayi, quite a lot for nappies and baby milk, we go to at least one really top notch restaurant (say 150 RMB including drinks) a week, I don't buy western stuff that much though cos personally I just think it's a ripoff - cheese for instance is now 45 RMB for that titchy pack. That's double London price. Why bother?. I'd say we live somewhere between the 'living like a chinese' thing that gets sneered at, and the 'spending all your money in metro' thing on the other...

malu · Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 1344 Location: Sunny Java

My own budget for day-to-day living is 1000RMB per week. So far that has been realistic. Note that this doesn't include things like clothes or weekends away. I don't drink but I do eat out.

judgedredd · Joined: 16 Sep 2007 Posts: 41