Job Discussion Forums

[Vietnamarama]

Hi all,

I have been offered two positions in China, one being in Shanghai and one in Hangzhou. I have never been to China but have experience working in Asia. I was hoping to perhaps get some feedback about the pros and cons of each city and also which offer is best.

Hangzhou offer:

20 teaching hours per week, 20 office hours. 16000RMB per month plus 2000RMB for housing.

Shanghai offer:

15-20 teaching hours per week, not sure about office hours. 18000RMB per month plus 3000RMB for housing.

In terms of other benefits such as insurance and airfares, both offer the same.

Since I have a big student loan that needs to be paid I am concerned with being able to save money. Both offers will allow me to save money but I am wondering how much more expensive Shanghai is compared to Hangzhou. Will the higher salary in Shanghai translate to being able to save more or would it be spent since the cost of living is higher.

Any help, insights, advice would be greatly appreciated!

[TeacherInChina]

These are above average offers from what I have seen, that is, unless you are teaching in an international school or are an actual subject teacher.

If you don't mind, may I ask what kind of school/classes these offers are for?

[Vietnamarama]

Yes I agree they are good offers. Both offers are for A-level subject teacher positions.

So given that they are both good offers, which one is better in terms of saving potential and quality of life?

[7969]

The answer to that question will depend on what kind of lifestyle and spending/saving habits you have right now. In other words, you're the best one to decide.

[Vietnamarama]

Fair enough answer I suppose. However I don't know the costs of things in these cities. To give you a rough idea of my spending habits:

Accommodation: 1 bedroom apartment. Don't need luxury but would like something comfortable and relatively modern.

Food: I usually cook myself. Occasionally go out for western food.

Drink: I do enjoy a beer or two every now and then but I don't need to hit nightclubs every night.

I'm not one for buying expensive clothes etc.

Does this give you a rough idea?

[TeacherInChina]

As others have said already, it really is up to you: are you a spender or saver.

That said, Shanghai is a place that is more expensive to live, generally, than say a city like Changchun. So money could slip out of your fingers quicker in Shanghai if you want to immerse yourself in the city.

Look at the bottom offers (usually uni) in each city. You can figure that the wage will at least afford food and modest expenses with, zero to little saving potential. Now, take your offer, and figure that anything above the bottom uni salaries, could potentially be considered savings, depending on your lifestyle. That's my rough estimate.

Some figures I have seen suggest that you can save about a 1/3 of your wage to 1/2 your wage per month. Some universities suggest that 2000-3500 rmb are rough costs of living for a month, not including rent.

Some food for thought. Others can provide more detailed info.

Oh, you should find out if it is 15 or 20 hours a week, in Shanghai, as that's a big difference. And if your quoted salary is net or gross.

[Vietnamarama]

Thanks TeacherInChina for your very useful information.

I am a saver, not a big spender. Having said that, of course I also do want to enjoy my time in China and be able to see interesting places.

[kev7161]

Wouldn't it be easier to set yourself a budget and include "savings" in one of those categories? Then, don't touch the "savings" unless there is some real emergency (wanting to sight-see wouldn't be an emergency). All you have to say to yourself is: "I want to save 25% of my salary (for example)", do it, then don't feel guilty if you splurge and squander the rest of your extra, after-expenses income.

[Vietnamarama]

Yes of course I could do that. However it is difficult to say what percentage I could realistically save, since I don't have any experience living and working in China. That is the reason I posted the question.

I am not asking how to save money, I am asking what the realistic saving potentials are given the two offers and which location would allow me to save more.

[therock]

Considering the two locations and the two offers, you can potentially save the same amount in both places. Shanghai is more expensive, but the school is offering more money. How much you can save depends on your lifestyle, but you should be able to save 10 - 12K per month and still have a reasonable life in both locations.

Now wait for the responses that will claim you can easily live off 1000rmb a month

[fortunatekooky]

I think the potential to save money in either location is probably comparable.

I'd recommend that you try to gather more info about both cities, as I think the lifestyle, pace of life, and environment of each are vastly different. It's hard to put a price on that.

I'm sure there are lots of threads here, and more posting members out there, with insight into the relative quality of life of each location.

That having been said, I understand your goal is to pay off your student loans quickly, so perhaps quality of life is unimportant.

If just to make money,
Why not Dubai?
Salary might even be better in Taiwan, but I have no experience with that.

[fortunatekooky]

I just spoke on the phone with a friend who's gone down to Shenzheng, and he says there is tons of work there right now, with salaries higher than what you've been offered. Perhaps another member can help verify that.

Are you American by chance? He said they are really looking for Americans, and you'd command a premium there if you are. Good luck.

[Vietnamarama]

[time to teach]

[7969]