Job Discussion Forums

[WhatsGrammar?]

I have been offered a position at this International School. Married accomodation, utilities included. Free education for my son.
Salary, 20,200 RMB per month ( after tax )

I know that cost of living is cheap(er) in China. My wife is a homebody, always has been. We like to eat out as a family at local restaurants. Maybe the odd McDonalds treat for the son. My wife does not drink and I like an occasional beer at the weekends when I am not working the next day.

Throw in a couple of trips to visit places every month. Forbidden city, mountains, wall of China etc.

Realistically...........we are hoping to save quite a bit but what would you say is a reasonable amount to live on each month?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[flutterbayou]

It is a good wage, especially if housing is included.

Be sure to read the fine print: this salary should be good from the start and not after any shady probationary period.

Check out escape clauses... and find out what sort of free schooling they are offering your child. International schools are expensive.

I left China last year and they say that inflation has struck hard across the boards, but 20,000 is quite acceptable.

Good luck.
FB

[Orrin]

I have recently been offered, and accepted a uni gig for 17000/mo. in Zhuhai; a city of about 1.5million people. I don't get any housing or utility allowances, but I get the whole month of July off with pay as well as all the Chinese holidays. Even after rent, utilities and taxes, I still have five figures to work with every month.

These jobs are out there, but it takes some time, effort and a bit of personal networking to find and land them.

[WhatsGrammar?]

Thanks for the replies so far guys.

Holidays are 50 days a year. Its an English curriculum school.

I,ve had pics of the accomodation, 3 bed apartment. Looks fine.

Cost of living though will allow to save a good bit every month?

[nickpellatt]

I have just left China with some money in my pocket...not a fortune though. But I was earning just under 4000 yuan per month!

On that salary, I was still eating out twice a day, and often paying for my GF.

I would travel 3 weekends out of 5, and again pay for the GF...and I still managed to bring save two months salary between march and june

[lingcod]

You should be able to save 12-15000 depending on your level of frugality and the amount of travel. Expect some start-up costs at the beginning such as oven and general home supplies.

[eslstudies]

The salary is low IF it's a genuine international school running accredited foreign curriculum. Check websites for international schools if in doubt.

http://www.english-schools.org/china/shanghai-american-school.htm

However, as commented, good accommodation and a salary that should let you save 50%. Not a fortune, but not to be sneezed at.
All these schools will work you to the bone however, which is why many of us choose Chinese universities at a third the salary and a third the work.

[Mister Al]

Which city is the school in? (Doh! I see now)

[WhatsGrammar?]

Its in Tianjin.

Thanks for the replies so far.

As far as Universities go, I,m not after a cushy life and the 1/3rd pay. After working in a UK curriculum anything under 30 contact hours is a blessing.

[flutterbayou]

The Chinese don't like to over-schedule their teachers (except at language schools).

Most universities offer a basic 13-16 hour contract and only the joint venture programs with full day schedules ask for a full work week as we know it in the West.

A family of three can live nicely on the salary you mentioned and I think the one poster who said it was not a great salary was not being friendly.

Many of the teachers who post at Dave's work for less than 25% of that and get by.

I think you can save more than half of what you earn and still have a good time seeing the sites and maintaining the home comfortably.

Food is cheap, tailor-made clothing is cheap, and having a treat at McDonald's will get old after awhile because the food in China is a cultural highlight for many of us.

Hope you have a great time.

[Orrin]

Being "unfriendly"? I don't think so. 20K+ is a very good salsry in just about any Chinese city (perhaps with the exception of HK). Cheers and beers to the OP.

[flutterbayou]

My mention of an unfriendly poster refers to the one who wrote in that it was not a good salary.

Of course, it is a very nice salary, even with dependents!

As the man says, Cheers and Beers to the job winner in Tianjin.

[DistantRelative]

[The_Hanged_Man]

[eslstudies]