Job Discussion Forums

The Noodles · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 202 Location: China, Chengdu

Straight up, I lived in HZ for 1 year and it sucked in terms of culture, party, food, people. It's just too mild. Nice if you like nice, but if you want something more, there ain't much.

And the west lake is a joke. You're not allowed to sit along the banks which is a big no no for me.

Shanghai on the other hand is... Well, it's SHANGHAI! Big, proud and loud. Granted, it only has 200 years of history BUT at least that history is interesting contemporary stuff.

8000 plus accommodation can work out just fine. And you can network and make more if you really wanna.

edlish · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 13

The Noodles · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 202 Location: China, Chengdu

Well it would be wrong to limit shanghai as a place that has been Americanized or for that matter westernized. I guess you could argue that from a 'product' point of view, it's pretty globalized. By Globalized I mean, as well as a lot of the American and European branded goods, you'll find a fair share of Asian products, from Japan, Singapore and to a lesser extent, Korea. This stretches from supermarkets to restaurants to department stores electronics etc.

There is a very lively Jazz scene which has been around since the 1920s and pockets of it (and depending on what part of the city you're in, sizable pockets of it) have been influenced by Europe more than the US.

However, make no mistake, shanghai, is very much Chinese, Just not as ancient as other parts. Yes it is cosmopolitan in that you can find all sorts of people and entertainment and the like, but you're never far from 'real China' (whatever the hell that means).

China.Pete · Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 547

"I've been offered a job in Shanghai paying �8,000 a month, and one in Hangzhou paying �5,000, both with free accommodation." -- Elliot Spencer

All other conditions being equal (working hours, health cover, etc.), a university job paying a Shanghai premium with accommodation is about the best deal going in terms of university pay. But you should be aware of the fact that the standards of the free accommodation on offer can vary enormously.

Angel46 · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 51 Location: Hangzhou

Elliot, we still don't know what kind of teaching jobs you are being offered. Most Language Schools require you to teach evenings and weekends, plus you'll work office hours = a total of 40 hrs per week (20 teaching/20 office hours).

On the other hand, University teaching jobs do pay less, but generally include everything: accommodation, utilities, internet, round-trip airfare, minimal medical insurance, and really LONG holidays! So your salary just goes toward food and any extras like taxis and entertainment/travel. Most Chinese universities require you to teach 14-16 hours per week and plan lessons on your own time (no office hours). They will schedule your classes over 3-4 days. Evenings and weekends free. Lots of free time to do other things like travel, learn Chinese, moonlight...!

One more thing: Find out exactly where your school is located. Most Chinese universities are relocating out to the suburbs which is great for the students, but not for the Foreign Teachers. You might want to ask this Forum for advice about the 'specific' schools you are receiving offers from, ie someone already teaching there could reply to you directly!

Don't make your decision simply based on salary. Consider which teaching environment will work best for you: Language School or University.

By the way, forget about coming to China to "find a job and get a work visa'. Those days are long gone. If a school tells you to come here on a Tourist Visa first, say "NO" and run in the opposite direction, as fast as you can! You need to accept a job offer and get an official invitation from a teaching institute in China, visit your local Chinese Consulate/Embassy to obtain your temporary Work Visa BEFORE leaving your native country. Rumour has it you now have to get a complete (and costly) medical before getting the Work Visa. Check the Chinese Embassy website thoroughly for any new changes. Good luck!

elliot_spencer · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 495

Thanks for the reply, both jobs ar uni jobs n they are both in the centre of each city.... I used to live in Taipei and I didn't like it , am scared shanghai will be like Taipei... I'm not really into the clubbing scene so thanks why I also applied to Hangzhou

China.Pete · Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 547

"If a school tells you to come here on a Tourist Visa first, say "NO" and run in the opposite direction..." -- Angel

I think it's still possible to change an "L" Visitor Visa to a Residence Permit in Shanghai. Although I agree that in other parts of China trusting a school on this one can be a bad move.

"I used to live in Taipei and I didn't like it, [and] am scared Shanghai will be like Taipei." -- Elliot Spencer

Shanghai has a population of nearly 20 million. But its broad thoroughfares and ample green space make it "feel" less congested than, say, Hong Kong or Bombay. Its air quality is comparable to that of Los Angeles, which is not bad for China.

JohnnyTrippia · Joined: 19 Sep 2010 Posts: 22

[quote="edlish"]It seems that everywhere I look I find issues that seem to disqualify the country or disqualify me:
* Korea - I'm too old, age 57, unless I go with a private company, and they seem even worse there than in China from my reading.
* Japan - age discrimination, very high cost of living.
* Singapore - English is primary language, and cost of living to salary ratio is not good.
* Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia - very low salaries, less developed than China.
* Western Europe - nearly impossible due to the EU passport/Visa situation.
* Eastern Europe - economy is dead and they can't afford to learn English right now.
* Russia - scams everywhere and a very violent society compared to everywhere else, also sluggish economy and an ever-increasingly intrusive government dictating curriculum to FTs.
* Middle East - no personal interest or desire to go there, war zones.
* Africa - too dangerous and potentially volatile politically where it isn't dangerous.
* South America/Mexico - very low wages relative to higher costs of living, plus I'm least interested in that region.

If you disagree with the above, I'd like to hear why.

If I read any of the forums for any of these areas, I get much the same advice as what you are telling me here. So I basically solicit anyone's opinion, filter it through my own set of criteria, add a little seasoning and bake until late December when I'll probably make my final decision.[/quote]

Chile! I'd be preparing to go there except the money isn't good, and I started the process to go there before the miners episode. I'm not being naiive / sensationalist.
Remember that it's not just the current state of the country but the future. In a debt-ridden Europe and USA, many others, Chile has possibly the lowest overall debt of any country and is the only OECD country in South America. The people are known for being very warm and friendly.
I said the money isn't good, but it's a prudish society. There are jobs there and not just limited to ESL. Spanish is a major global language. It's an economy that will go up and up in my opinion. If I was completely open to go to any country I would choose Chile hands down, 100% - people, weather, economy, future, women, beaches, Andes, ad infinitum
I'm supposed to be off to Shanghai soon and I'm part looking forward to it, part pessimistic about having any kind of stable future there..
What future for the bank-ridden white ratz?

The Edge · Joined: 04 Sep 2010 Posts: 455 Location: China

OP: HZ is practically SH overspill these days. This is reflected in the ever increasing house prices and more 5* hotels than you can shake a stick at. The Maglev extension has just opened as well, meaning that you will get more people from SH moving out into what is now almost a suburb.
It all really depends on what your preference is. Some people around here love SH and others hate it. In HZ you will be within a very comfortable distance so that you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

sojourner · Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 3:42 pm Post subject:

The service that began this month was not the SH-HZ Maglev extension but, rather the high-speed rail (CRH) service. It will probably be another 4 or 5 years before the Maglev extension will be ready.

Peter

xiao51 · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 208

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

xiao51 · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 208

The Edge · Joined: 04 Sep 2010 Posts: 455 Location: China

SH is certainly a very cosmopolitan city. I can either take it or leave it. There is always plenty going on there from an entertainment perpective though. Not bad for major sporting events either with the Formula 1 grand prix and the 1000 series Masters Tennis as my particular favourites. You can place ticks or crosses in the usual boxes associated with a major city. Personally, I could not live there but having it in close proximity is not a bad thing either. Each to their own, I guess.