Job Discussion Forums

greenfox · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Posts: 5

I have an offer for 10500RMB a month in Shanghai. This is just my salary and does not cover anything else. I estimate 4500 - 5000RMB for an apartment. I also have 2000RMB in US debt that I must pay every month.

So that leaves me 3500 - 4000RMB to live on, pay utilities, etc.

Is this feasible?

bnej · Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Posts: 57 Location: Toronto

That's gonna be pretty tight for Shanghai...

greenfox · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Posts: 5

Yeah, that's what a friend told me who lives there. I just wanted to get some other views on the situation.

Thanks for a second opinion. I appreciate it.

Susie · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 390 Location: PRC

20,000 per month is required.

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

sharpe88 · Joined: 21 Oct 2008 Posts: 226

20,000 is hardly a prerequisite.. the biggest factor is the OP's debt

edit: wait, i thought he said US$2000, lol

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

Any haircuts you get will be strictly haircuts.

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

I am going to be moving to Shanghai starting in July. Already got a place lined up and it cost a fortune, 5600 RMB a month, but the company gives me 4000 RMB housing allowance so I can manage this.

Let's face it, Shanghai is going to be expensive but through a lot of hard work, research, looking around, contacts, etc. you can find good deals. For example, the apartment I got is two bedrooms, spacious (120 sqm), brand new building, with an elevator, near a subway station, and in the center of Xu Hui.

As a point of contrast, this was double the rent of what I paid for a similar type of high-quality house way out in the boonies of Songjiang last year. So I figure this in the right price range.

If you don't want such a big place, let's say you could go for 60-70 square meters, and are willing to commute a little bit, you could pay a lot less than I did. Say, for example, you pick a place in Minhang district, between the inner and outer ring roads, and venture near the Lian Hua Rd area, towards the end of Line #1 subway. Friends tell me that good houses in that range go for 2500 to 3500 RMB / month. You might even get a 2 bedroom for that. I also know of someone in the city center (Zhongshan Park) who is paying around 3500 RMB for a smaller 1 bedroom, but still very nice.

So the point is, there are ways to cut down on housing, but you really need to take the time to look and get the help of locals.

Similarly, other costs can be cut down on, and to make a long story short you can *certainly* live on that salary mentioned. The way to do it is just focus on yourself and what your needs and preferences are, and be content with your own situation, not paying attention to the standards