Job Discussion Forums

Johnflowers · Joined: 03 Mar 2011 Posts: 13

I am considering coming to Qingdao for work, teaching, is it a liveable city to be in? Matters I would like to know are: Are there good coffee shops, are Western medical clinics common, is it cheap as compared to Hong Kong or other parts of Asia, is it foreigner freindly, are there Western denominational churches present. Sorry I don't drink alcohol and am not interested in expat pubs or bars. I am past that phase of youthful abandon or elderly abandon. Thank you.

Laurence · Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 401

They have a starbucks - is that a good coffee shop?

bryanjspen · Joined: 09 May 2011 Posts: 30 Location: Suzhou, China

I'm pretty sure they have 85 degrees cafes ... which in my opinion (not a coffee expert at all) is pretty good for the price ... I think Qingdao is moderately priced - & check the front page of CNN in regards to churches

Dedicated · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 972 Location: UK

Johnflowers,

I spent 2 very happy years in Qingdao, which was named China's most livable city in 2009. Because of its coastal location and local wind patterns, you get clean air!

It was a German concession between 1898 - 1914, so many government buildings and Ocean University have been built with German architectural style. St. Michael's Cathedral (Catholic) was built by German missionaries in Romanesque style and has a weekly Sunday attendance of up to 10,000 parishioners. I remember going to the Easter service, and having to stand outside it was so crowded. There is also a big Protestant Cathedral too but I cannot remember the name.

There are 6 beaches for swimming, and everywhere serves wonderful seafood. There is a very large Korean community so lots of Korean restaurants too. There are some delightful areas of town for exploring, including Ba Da Guan, which has older German and Japanese architecture, and cobbled roads. There is a huge Buddhist temple at Zhanshan and the Taoist mountain of Lao Shan just 40km east of the city, but easy to get to on public transport.

Qingdao is used to foreigners, particularly after hosting the water sports of the Olympic Games in 2008. There are lots of lovely 5 star hotels, including Crown Plaza, Grand Regency, Haitian, Huiquan Dynasty, which offer "eat as much as you want" Western buffets - I cannot remember the price, but it was not prohibitive. They have gym membership too. There is a huge Carrefour supermarket, open 24/7, where I could buy just about everything I ever needed foodwise...lots of French products.

There are now about 5 or 6 international schools and even more universities, so you can easily establish lots of private lessons.

I would go back if I could - I hope you enjoy your time there.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

I worked in Dalian and Qingdao which are both 'very beautiful' in Chinese terminology. Of these Qingdao would be best.
Try to get job/accom near the sea as that puts you into the afternoon sea breeze zone in summer.
On the downside the public schools in QD seem to pay a little less than other centres on account of it being an attractive location.
OP - PM me if you want.