Job Discussion Forums

jamema · Joined: 12 Jan 2004 Posts: 20 Location: Dalian

Hello all. I have been following this board for several months and would like to thank all posters for the insights they provide.

My partner and I will be coming to China in March. He has his heart set on living in Qingdao (likes the seaside). I have written to the various educational institutions in Qingdao which I have found on the net, but there do not seem to be as many vacancies as in other cities.

I would appreciate any insights about the job situation and lifestyle in Qingdao. I hope everyone on the board has a great 2004.

MyTurnNow · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 860 Location: Outer Shanghai

Qingdao is indeed a delightful place! The ocean, the old German architecture, the beer, the mild climate, and many other things combine for an excellent living experience in China.

Because of this, many foreigners are drawn to Qingdao and the competition for jobs there is much stiffer than in cities lacking these advantages. It can indeed be very difficult to find a good job there. Even the multi-city chain schools, which are not suitable for dogs to work in, often have waiting lists for their Qingdao schools.

If you have your heart set on Qingdao, my advice is patience and persistence...come when you find the right job.

There are a couple of other coastal cities every bit as nice as Qingdao that might add to your options. Dalian, across the bay from Qingdao up in Liaoning Province, is quite nice and so is Xiamen, way down on the southeastern coast in Fujian Province.

MT

jamema · Joined: 12 Jan 2004 Posts: 20 Location: Dalian

Thank you for the information. I suspected that Qingdao would be popular. We have also considered Dalian but those winters are just tooooooo cold for northern Aussies. I will do some research into Xiamen. Smile

MyTurnNow · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 860 Location: Outer Shanghai

Jamema,

Dalian is just across the Bay of Bohai from Qingdao. There may be a tiny difference in temperature between the two, but it isn't much. Believe me, Qingdao gets pretty cold in the winter as well. But in both cases the ocean helps moderate the temperatures, making them a bit more pleasant than their latitude might otherwise indicate.

If avoiding cold is a priority, better double down on that Xiamen research! Smile

MT

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

qingdao definitely gets cold. Qingdao is pretty. great place for a summer vacation. The water/beach surprisingly clean. Knowing Qingdao better, i would go with Dalian, if I had to chose. Qingdao, to me, has a feeling of being...more uptight? Less loose, less friendly, les Chinese, less culture...if any of that makes sense OMO (one man's opinion)

The pay in Dalian also seems better for fewer hours Wink

MyTurnNow · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 860 Location: Outer Shanghai

With ya there, Arioch....given a choice I'd rather live in Dalian.
I say that for the reasons you've listed, and I also found Dalian MUCH easier to get around in than Qingdao. Those streetcars are great!

MT

jamema · Joined: 12 Jan 2004 Posts: 20 Location: Dalian

Isn't it annoying when someone says they want to work in a coastal city and then wants info about an obscure inland city? Actually, I applied for a job in Xiamen and was offered one in Deyang instead. There isn't much on the net. Somewhere near Chengdu and seems to have a famous prisoner.

Has anyone worked in/visited/known a friend of a friend who passed through Deyang at midnight? Any info appreciated.

I understand that Spring Break has started. I hope everyone has a good holiday.