Job Discussion Forums

[Anglichanka]

Anyone have an idea of the cost of living in Xiamen?

Due to financial problems I really need to be able to live plus save a little but, frankly, I really don't want to teach kids again. I'm doing that at the moment to earn a crust but the discipline problems are just too tedious. (I know from may helpful postings that most money is to be made from non-university level education - also note Angelina's esl cafe).

A job which is perfect for my quals is at Xiamen and offers, at the upper level, for which I am qualified: 5,500 plus apartment allowance of 1,700 plus reimbursement up to 8,000 airfare at end of contract. Would I be able to live modestly on 7,200 per month? I do like to go out socially, dancing etc but do not require to sit around in 5-star hotels spending foreign currency! Last time I was in China was in the era of FEC but I managed to live comfortably and save �1000 - on 440 RMB a month, though half was paid in FEC.

Might I save anything on 7,200? Is 1,700 enough for a reasonable flat in Xiamen? I don't need luxury but would prefer not to be in a slum.

Thanks in advance for any help and comments.

By the way, I have lived and worked in Macau, Beijing, Algeria, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, USA, Bahrain, Bulgaria and would be glad to share info if it would be of help though some may be out of date.

[lf_aristotle69]

Hi. I'm just posting because no-one else has answered you yet. I haven't lived in XiaMen, but I've visited a couple of times, and I have a friend who lives there. It's a nice place, I think it's very livable.

5500rmb/month doesn't sound very high, there're certainly higher paid jobs around in XiaMen. Nevertheless, it's enough to live on, as it would be in any Chinese city, even BeiJing or ShangHai... if you steer away from any western lifestyle expenses and upscale shops.

If you can get a 6 month contract on that salary, then it will give you time to find something better.

BTW, what was your experience in BeiJing viz. salary vs. ability to save? If you could save in BeiJing, then you should be able to do it anywhere in China.

I haven't come across any low budget discos in XiaMen though. And, BeiJing is certainly blessed in that area. I found a friendly pub on my last visit, called "The Londoner". Run by a LaoWai I believe. It's a very small space, with a pool table in the middle. But, I had a good night there meeting some interesting locals and travellers.

I also like ... can't remember the name... is it "The Scotsman" or The "Scotland" Pub? It's on BinLang Road just up near the lake. That area is a big bar and disco area, and also the road along the lake to the east has some fun places too.

Anyway, the Scotland Pub has a big, atmospheric, (Scottish/Tudor wood beams???) space and good live music. Technically it turns into a disco after the band finishes, I think. Crowd numbers were quite low on the nights I was there, so I hope they can turn that around and keep afloat.

http://www.xiamenguide.com/

http://www.whatsonxiamen.com/ifm_infobank.php?titleid=37

http://www.whatsonxiamen.com

For some reason the XiaMen Guide page isn't loading... it seems to be blocked. I also noticed that the Scotland Pub is not listed in the What's On XiaMen site. The WOXM site might be Govt, whereas the XMG is/was made by a foreigner. Wouldn't be the first time a foreigner has been forced out of entertainment news media in China... if that's what's happened...

Good luck,

LFA

[profM]

My experience there and contacts over time offer this overview:

The 1700RMB is not enough for rental of an apartment equal to what a university elsewhere throws in for free, on top of salary.

Plan on spending around 2000RMB for a decent rental plus about 200 a month average over the year for gas and electric.

The other 5000RMB is plenty to live there comfortably. You can eat decently in university canteens for around 500RMB per month. There are plenty of good cheap little restaurants for 12 RMB a meal. Food delivery. Supermarkets with everything. Pretty nice environment. Beaches. Takes under two minutes to get a cab almost anywhere. Normal cab fare about 10RMB with 25RMB near max to go to a far point on the island. Don't worry about the money part, but good luck finding a nice apartment.

[Itsme]

negotiate for included apartment. If you live on campus you are right by the beach, downtown, and all of the sight seeing places. You can't go wrong.