Job Discussion Forums

[pest2]

I worked in China several years ago (5). I was in Shanghai. I noticed the wages are pretty much the same now as they were then... How about the prices? Have they gone up, a lot? I know the currency is relatively stronger there than it used to be, but I have no idea about prices...

Also, another question, how much cheaper is it in lesser-cities such as Kunming, Dalian, Chongqing, etc? I was considering going back to work there, sometime.....

[Mister Al]

Although it's possible to still live cheaply inflation has gone mad in the last 3-4 years. Mad, ah tell ye, mad.

[Gamecock]

Prices have gone up everywhere, and even the Chinese are complaining about the rising cost of food and staples. I would say salaries have also gone up some as well, but the jobs advertised online are the poorer ones that can't be filled by word-of-mouth. As you know, China is about connecting with people in-country if you want to have a higher salary.

Things like housing are MUCH cheaper in the 2nd tier cities you mentioned, but I think most daily expenses are not really any different than the big cities (food, groceries, etc.). The only real difference in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou compared to other cities are the OPPORTUNITIES to spend more money in your social life. Bars with more expensive drinks, western restaurants, etc. will eat your income. But more and more you can spend on these things in 2nd tier cities (however a beer will be less in a smaller city than Shanghai, to be sure). How expensive a place is depends on mostly on you.

I spend 2-3000 a month and live very comfortably. I buy a lot of expensive foreign food in the supermarket/import shops and eat out in western restaurants a couple times a week. However, I don't drink and don't go out to bars. So essentially my spending would be the same if I lived in Shanghai or if i lived in a 2nd tier city.

[7969]

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

One word: Yes.

One example: 1L 100% orange juice, from 8.9 RMB (2007) to 14.9 RMB (2011) at the corner store near my home.

[flyingscotsman]

Price seem to go up every day in the supermarket for many things.

Its not a joke. High prices are here.

China is not cheap it seems.

[Skyblue2]

How much would an average teacher spend in Beijing each month, excluding rent these days?

What are rents like?

[cormac]

Regarding 2nd tier cities, I live in Xi'an. Most times I spend about 10-13rmb on dinner (going AA with some chinese friends), and another 4-6rmb for a supper snack. My breakfast is the most expensive, since I buy bacon, eggs, fresh bread etc and it adds up.

TBH Its relatively easy to live on 50 rmb a week. Or less if you don't mind the student canteen food, but I like my coffee or bbq.

Its the drinking that cuts into my funds. A single night can easily blow 300 - 500rmb. A good tip is to make friends with the younger female western teachers or students... Many clubs have vip cards where the girls get a quota of free drink each month. In Salsa (Xi'an club) that quota is quite big...

[kev7161]