Job Discussion Forums

tin man · Joined: 18 Jun 2010 Posts: 137

If your salary was about the same in the US vs China in comparison to the cost of living, where would you live? Why? This is the position I basically find myself in... In other words I got relatively good paying job opportunities in both areas. Sales in the US vs teaching in China

jaybet3 · Joined: 15 Dec 2010 Posts: 140 Location: Indonesia

Definitely, the USA. Why, so I can get fast (uncensored) internet and better food.

So people don't look at me and point their fingers because I'm a foreigner.

So strangers don't call me fat to my face.

So I don't have to see babies shit in the streets.

So I don't have to do a mountain of paperwork and stress out over visas.

So I can watch baseball and football instead of badminton and soccer.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

yurii · Joined: 12 Jan 2017 Posts: 106

Edward-SoCal · Joined: 30 Mar 2017 Posts: 35

Personally, I would never prefer anything to do with sales over teaching, especially at university level, which gives you low hours, peace of mind and time to do other fun things with your life.

voyagerksa · Joined: 29 Apr 2015 Posts: 140

It depends on the locality in the USA. Would anyone want to teach in LA unless you parents lived there and you could stay with them, or unless you had a well off spouse? How about San Francisco?

voyagerksa · Joined: 29 Apr 2015 Posts: 140

Pollution is a major factor to consider. Verrrry major.

jg · Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 1:11 pm Post subject:

The previous poster who mentioned pollution was spot on. I like China and first taught there over a decade ago. I still have friends there, love the food and have many fond memories... but the pollution! I was last in China in 2013, and it was terrifying. It took me a year to lose the hacking, wheezy cough I had developed in less than 10 months... then when you add in the very poorly regulated food and beverage industries, product safety issues... no thanks.

I am really sick of the constant testing here, and the constant threats of budget cuts to valuable service. The attacks on teachers and our unions suck too, it would be nice to be valued more. I think for a young, credentialed teacher, China might be okay IF you were in a somewhat healthy city.

tin man · Joined: 18 Jun 2010 Posts: 137

Pollution is indeed a concern. This time I plan to get a mask and possibly an air cleaner for the apt. I need a 1-2 year break from corporate America and enjoy the kids so I am going to go back. I am 58 so I think my days are numbered in China in two years anyway.

leretif9 · Joined: 24 Mar 2013 Posts: 152

How is the pollution and bad food/drinking water in Shanghai?

Edward-SoCal · Joined: 30 Mar 2017 Posts: 35

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

Add the other package components to the 8000.

kev20 · Joined: 31 Jul 2013 Posts: 114

OhBudPowellWhereArtThou · Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Posts: 1168 Location: Since 2003

If an American employer supplied free housing in a modern apartment plus all utilities, and provided a competitive prevailing wage, and if the city bus system were as good as that of most Chinese cities I've known, I'd take the U.S. hands down.

I could bear the insane politics of the U.S. academia, helicopter parents, and millennials' self-absorption.

AQI is better in most U.S. cities, the health care is better, and chances of contracting food poison are lower in the U.S.. With no apartment, utilities, and automobile expenses, I could actually afford American medical insurance.

I'd live in Small Town, U.S.A. to escape city crime.

*pop* Back to reality.

getbehindthemule · Joined: 15 Oct 2015 Posts: 712 Location: Shanghai