Job Discussion Forums

[GreatApe]

1. Do you live on or off campus? 

Off campus. I work 2 jobs. One at a Training Centre teaching IELTS, TOEFL and SAT examination preparation, V.I.P., one-on-one classes (6 hours a week), and the second at an International school where I teach between 18 and 20 hours a week, and also serve as the Director of the International program.

2. How much do you pay for rent? 

¥ 1,200 a month + about ¥ 170 for gas, water and electricity, and ¥ 30 a month for parking, power and security for the electric scooter. The good news is getting re-imbursed ¥ 1,000 per month for accomodation expenses.

3. If you pay, is it good value for the money, or is it over-priced?

It's a good value and I rated it 4 stars in the poll. It came furnished and the A/C units (3) are all decent, as is the refrigerator and the washing machine. The apartment is a bit small, but it does have 2 bedrooms, a small living room, kitchen and bathroom. No balcony, but I live on the 12th floor with an absolutely outstanding view of the Xizhi River.

4. How many rooms in your apartment? 

2 bedrooms, small bathroom and shower, small kitchen and living room. No balcony.

5. How is your internet service? 

WiFi and Internet are excellent, reliable, and fast. Lao Po and I pay ¥ 750 a year for WiFi service, which is saving me between ¥ 300 to 500 a month on Internet costs (I use the Internet A LOT)! It's also more convenient ... no need to worry about the phone balance as much, or make late-night runs to the store to add more money to the phone.

6. If you need something fixed, does your school or landlord fix things promptly without moaning about it? 

The landlord is outstanding! She's originally from H.K. and has a son at university in Canada, so she's open-minded and doesn't try to screw over her lao wai tenant. She lives in the apartment complex next to ours. If we have a problem she either sends a worker over to fix the problem and always re-imburses us for the cost. She did this when we had our couch and chair re-upholstered and when we needed to replace the double burner gas unit in the kitchen.

7. How far is your apartment from your normal workplace? 

I live almost precisely between my two job locations. I planned it this way and it was a very good idea! Everything I need is right around me. I'm about 7 minutes by electric scooter to my high school job and 10 minutes to my job at the T.C. It makes it very convenient on the one or two nights a week when I have to work at both schools, as well as coming home for lunch and dinner (Lao Po is from Sichuan and is an EXCELLENT cook)!

8. How far are you from the nearest department store or supermarket? 

Less than 5 minutes away from Jusco and Metro, 10 minutes away from a Wal-Mart (again, by scooter).

I try never to shop at the Wal-Mart, but occasionally go there if I can't find what I need at a cheaper price anywhere else. The last thing I bought there was a 32 gb USB that I just couldn't find as cheap at another store. (I still don't shop Taobao enough)!

I prefer shopping in the local neighborhood markets for meat, vegetables, fresh noodles and 饺子, as well as other local fare (eggs, beans, spices, sauces, etc.) and kitchen wares. I will admit to shopping the hell out of the Metro in the last 3 or 4 months, however. They've got American top sirloin beef there, man! ... and CHEESE! Cheese from all over the world! They even have quesadillas and olives! I can cook Mexican food if I shop the Metro, as well as buy olives (green OR black) for the occasional martini!

9. Are you close to an inter-city bus or train station? 

About 12 minutes away from an inter-city bus station which we use to travel around Guangdong. Less than 10 minutes away from an "intra-city" bus station, although I rarely ride the city bus anymore. The high speed train connecting Shenzhen to Huizhou and Huizhou to Dongguan is scheduled to be completed sometime in 2015.

10. How close are you to the nearest airport? 

About 2 hours by bus to Shenzhen and about 2.5 hours to Guangzhou. H.K. airport is a bit further, and not as convenient to get to.

11. Would you say its safe or not safe in the area where you live? 

Extremely safe. Biggest worries are the occasional pick pockets or thieves that seem to spring up around Chinese New Year when some people get desperate for travel money, 红包 money, etc.

12. Anything you dislike about your apartment? 

Again, it's a bit on the smallish side, and me and the little lady are looking to upgrade to a bigger unit in the same complex next year.

13. What else do you like about your apartment? 

I love the view! I can sit on my sofa and drink a beer or coffee and watch the sun rise and set. There's also a nice breeze that blows through the apartment and our laundry dries very quickly! Being on the 12th floor has its advantages and the apartment has a lot of natural light.

It's also been very cool watching the firework shows as they light up the river from both sides during Spring Festival. The fireworks we saw this year rivaled those I saw in Yangshuo when I lived there in 2010-2011.

--GA