Job Discussion Forums

[rap60]

well the good thing is Mr Buttkins that Calvin Klein Asia will soon be signing you up.

[bobdaun]

Just to throw in my two pennorth.
I have been living in China for almost 6 years. I work in a university, where I make 8000 per month, plus we have a free apartment (off campus) with the utilities bills paid (up to 300 per month, which we very seldom run over).
We live on about 3000 per month - 1000 for food, 1000 each for spending.
We shop at the local market for vegetables etc, but also go to the local Walmart or Metro for foreign stuff. We mostly take buses rather than taxis. We do eat out, the occasional pizza, Thai food, Starbucks etc., so we don't live like hermits, but then again, we don't splash money around senselessly. We spend about 40,000 RMB per year on travel (she is from the US, I am from Europe). My total take home pay, including air ticket subsidies is about 99,000 RMB per year. I have been in my current job for 2 years adn we have about 25,000 RMB in the bank here. As I said, we don't live like hermits, if we weren't having a good time then we wouldn't still be here, so it is perfectly possible to live well on the amount of money the OP was talking about, especially if you both come from the same place, which should cut down on costs when you want to visit home. On the other hand, I would feel a bit nervous with a kid out here, and you might want to think about what sort of financial cushion you would need if you have some sort of health-based crisis in the family, as getting good quality medical care in an English-speaking facility can be expensive.

[therock]

I'm waiting for someone to come and say that they earn 3500RMB a month and live of 500RMB. Then chances are they will say China is really cheap to live in compared to back home and that we should be thankful for earning 3500RMB.

[xjgirl]

Sure it's possible to eat healthily for real cheap.
It's possible back in the west too
but i'm a bit of a foodie, so steak is definitely on the menu once or twice a week
as is cold water fish(your diet has no fish)

If you think twice about your school provided lunch
you might find it's not as healthy as you think
the oil(where did it come from?) the msg, the rice, the salt....

[wesharris]

[eslteach]

[quote="wesharris"]

[wesharris]

[quote="eslteach"]

[7969]

wes harris is right. but anyone who hangs out in their flat 24/7 wont see it.

[cormac]

Regarding household items,if you're looking to stock up in the same manner you would at home,you're going to get shafted. At least I did on my first few purchases, and then made some chinese friends who helped me out on the rest. I've saved a fortune simply by getting a chinese friends to arrange it all for me. Perhaps you would prefer to do it all yourself, but there's no real need to do that here. Work the system. Admittedly, I haven't bought an oven, but I have a preference for new kitchen utensils and extra's. Besides I would have spent more time and effort on cleaning what was here, if that was actually possible. Ugh.

I find that food costs are relatively low. I "cook" my breakfast/lunch/supper (lunch brought with me between my classes), and usually eat out for dinner. I rarely go beyond 150 rmb a week (and my large shopping for the week is included in that), I shop weekly and I'm not big on stocking up unless its some quality wine from "Metro".

TBH its the clubbing, socialising or such that puts the dent in my wages. But weekly living expenses are rather low, and could easily be cut further if needed (I do like some luxaries like real chocolate or icecream).

[flyingscotsman]