Job Discussion Forums

[overhere]

Hi all - Looking for some feedback on my situation.

I am 50 years old, in excellent health, white, native speaker and US Citizen.

I work as a manager in the public sector and earn a decent salary but am not all that thrilled with my job or living in the west. I am divorced with no kids and no property or strings to hold me here.

In September 2012, I will "lock in" my public pension although I won't be able to draw it until 2016 (when I turn 55 years old). If I leave here in September 2012 I will start drawing about $2,000 a month in 2016. I also have some additional savings in terms of deferred comp which will allow me to draw a few hundred more monthly when I turn 60.

I realize the financially smart thing to do would be to hold out here until I turn 55 and retire with a better pension (around $2700/month). The problem is I am miserable at my job and living here...I worked as a trainer for years and really love the classroom..I also teach ESL as a Volunteer now and love it. We all only have a limited number of years on this planet so I am also keeping that in mind.

I love Asia and really want to live there...China seems the best bet considering my age (doesn't seem like the K country is all that friendly to us older folks) and the fact housing is provided.

My needs are rather simple:

one bedroom or studio apartment

enough $ to eat western fast food (Pizza Hut, KFC, McDonalds whatever) - no fancy restruants or anything

enough $ to date a few times a month

enough $ to travel around the country on breaks

My background

24 years experience as a corporate trainer

Juris Doctorate, Masters Public Administration, Masters of labor Relations & Masters of Social Work

Plan to start a M.Ed TESOL program on line through the University of Missouri in January...will also obtain a CELTA if needed.

I know my age will work against me as time goes by but if I can make a go of teaching until I trun 60 I think I will be OK to retire to Thailand or the Philippines.


So considering my age and background would I be able to make a go of it in China?

Thank you so much for your advice/prespective!

[jayjjasper]

Lots 'o' folks 50 here teaching....

[choudoufu]

you should have no problems getting a cushy university job.
i suppose with your background and experience you might
find some big money slots in corporate training.

you might also consider thailand. with your pension you
would qualify (at 55) for the retirement visa.

[ruindasia1]

you should be fine. 50ish is not old just more experienced

[Miles Smiles]

You presently have a pretty good job, a better-than decent pension to look forward to, and (probably) job security at present.

You'll take a hit on your pension if you retire early. The numbers that you cite indicate that you also have a pretty good salary. This is not a good time in your life to make such a drastic lifestyle change, especially when your own patch of heaven is still pretty good.

Now you want to come to China. You may not be able to cope with the sudden change in culture, the often unpredictable nature of a teaching job in China, and the possibility of a collapse in the world economy at a time when you are most vulnerable. Possibly worse, you may find that you absolutely hate it here. What then?

In truth, if I were in your position, I would spend time researching what life is like in China (this forum is a good place to start), and researching China itself which includes its economy, its political policies, etc..

Then, when your job in the public sector vanishes, it would be a feasible idea to move to China to experience the joys of teaching here. Even then, that move may be just temporary. You may find that an age limit will be imposed upon you. (This seems to vary from area to area in China).

This is not the Land of Milk and Honey.

Really.

[PandaPandemonium]

[steve b]

I am in my second year of teaching in China and I was 54 when I started. My oppo is now 56. I once read of someone who was still working as a bona fide professor (admittedly he was highly qualified) at a university in Beijing at the age of 69.

As Miles points out, China is not milk and honey, but then at your age you should be well equipped to handle the vagaries. One drawback is your passion for western food which will not only cost a lot more than local cuisine but also limit the locations available to you. I am in a small city and the only "western" place is a KFC which wouldn't be so bad except it is KFC Chinese style and I can't stand the taste!

Open your mind to their food - in my opinion some of it is dire but equally some dishes are exquisite, you simply need to find which ones you like. I also bought a compact western oven recently so that I can occasionally cook for myself and plan on investing in a breadmaker shortly as the bread here tastes like cake!

Life is not a dress rehearsal so don't waste it being miserable in the States, come and be miserable or happy in China. I adore the place!

[Mister Al]

Milessmiles says you should stick with what you have but I disagree. You are not happy in your job and bored with life and life is way too short. Go for it! If you don't, you know yourself that one day you will regret not giving it a go. You have excellent qualifications and experience and you should find it easy to get work. But the questions is where? If I were you I'd think about the type of city (Climate, population, culture etc) you fancy and start looking for work in these places and do some proper research. Language mills such as EF etc are really good for your first year in China as they offer both academic and social support but the operation is a franchise mainly, so management can differ a lot between schools. Universities are easy easy with fewer hours but normally not a lot of support academically. Money wise negotiate negotiate and avoid recruiters if possible but any single person can live reasonably well on RMB5K a month if their accommodation is provided, and of course suitable.

China is not the land of milk and honey but it is a place that will give you an abundance of strange and wonderful experiences. And it is probably the safest country I have ever been to. Oh, did I mention the girls..........

What are you waiting for?

[7969]

[Mister Al]

[Baozi man]

Not sure what your remark intends, 7969. A 300RMB meal once a week = 1200RMB/month. In these parts, most FTs make around 5000RMB/mo. That's about 25%. As for the fries in the box, different strokes for different folks. Same in the US. Service and quality varies, depending on who is running the place. Here, the McDonalds is a total ripoff. KFC at least fills the box.

As for finding a good Western meal, I refer you to the buffet at either a Sofitel or a Crown Plaza hotel. Buffet there can be 300RMB and up, depending on the time and day of the week

A 200RMB plate of food [not buffet] in Crown Plaza includes a powdered, reconstituted potato serving rather than fresh. The potatoes taste powdered and are offensive to those who savor a meal enough to pay a couple of hundred. Mandatory 18 % service charge as well.

[Miles Smiles]

[steve b]

Baozi, in my eyes you lost all credibility when you referred to prices for whores. As for your "prices" I don't know where you are, but a good western meal even in Shanghai doesn't approach the fiction you are propounding and I sincerely hope that overhere pays your posts scant attention.

[7969]

baozi man, my post referred to your prices for "western" meals. They're way out of whack with reality. The only meal I've ever seen in Shenzhen that even approaches RMB300 for one person is a turkey dinner at Christmas, found at some of the expat hangouts in Shekou. Otherwise a relatively decent beefsteak (not top sirloin mind you, but decent cut) with mashed potatoes/fries and veggies, which I consider close enough to be "western", runs less than RMB100 per person. Your problem is you're hanging out at the Sofitel or some other luxury digs where prices are always going to be astronomical.

[steve b]

Baozi

The only one who has spoken of prostitutes here is you, ergo your remark regarding us having a problem with cut-rate ones shows adequately not only what sort of a person you are but also your level of intelligence.

As for fine cuisine, for your information I would prefer almost anything to steak and potatoes and indeed during my life I have eaten at top hotels in approaching forty countries. Your comments decrying others' opinion of what constitutes good food was gratuitous, unnecessary and merely reinforces what I posted earlier.