Job Discussion Forums

mrenglish2nd · Joined: 07 Mar 2016 Posts: 45

Was, not am. I was paid entirely in RMB by businesses or individuals in China. As I think I said (did I?), I had my own private tutoring business, mostly teaching mid- to senior-level executives and lawyers, and was paid cash RMB for that. I did numerous side jobs -- corporate training, schools at various levels, private outfits mostly working with adults -- but the bulk of it was private tutoring. If you are an American you can get a 10-year business visa and do this sort of work indefinitely. I left China in October 2014 so I don't know the current visa situation, but I think it's no problema. Good idea to be close to Hong Kong for visa runs; either Guangzhou or Shenzhen are good places to be. I can recommend a good agent for getting visas if you need a name and a number. Understand that it takes a little time to build up a client base, especially if you are not a superior blue-chip type, no doubt obeying every single rule and regulation of evil empire #1 (do the moonlighting university types pay taxes on their side jobs?), working at a university with quick access to a block of potential students. But it can be done, I did it for over five years, and the work is the best. And their are many private outfits that are not so particular about the visa status of foreigners they hire.

Jmbf · Joined: 29 Jun 2014 Posts: 663

Would you mind to share approx how much you made in an average month? And for approx how many working hours? I have a similar tutoring setup in Hong Kong and am curious.

RiverMystic · Joined: 13 Jan 2009 Posts: 1986

mrenglish2nd · Joined: 07 Mar 2016 Posts: 45

Valid for you perhaps, but you broadcast as though you have answers for all. I’m well over 35. Nature and open spaces? Guangzhou is probably the best large city in eastern China, and I’ve been to a number of them. I am a fanatic hiker and there are two fine spots easily reached from the city center, one at the north end of Baiyun and one at Long Dong, and there are numerous other places a bit more distant. Intellectual? The people I tutored were mostly mid- to upper-level executives and lawyers; there is plenty of intellect in Guangzhou. Crowded? Clearly you haven’t spent much time in Beijing. Dark? What do you mean by this?

mrenglish2nd · Joined: 07 Mar 2016 Posts: 45

Jmbf, I was averaging about 230 RMB per hour in the last couple years I was in Guangzhou (2009 to 2014). In the first year or so I slowly broke into the private tutoring while working various side jobs, then three years or so solely private tutoring, the last year about one quarter time at a top (and a joke of a) high school and three quarters time private tutoring. I worked mostly with adults, which is a tough market, but I got fed up with kidlets early on so limited myself even though this cut my income. I averaged about 22 hours a week so I was making something on the order of 22,000 a month.

Jmbf · Joined: 29 Jun 2014 Posts: 663

mrenglish2nd · Joined: 07 Mar 2016 Posts: 45

Yes, 22,000 is comfortable in Guangzhou, and 22 hours is comfortable anywhere.

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

These 'wham, bam' salary claim and counter claim posts mean nothing without other benefits being stated.
Housing cost in GZ is a big factor.

Jmbf · Joined: 29 Jun 2014 Posts: 663

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

In that case 22k in GZ without housing is hardly 'Gatesian'.
My real concern is for new/casual readers who may be picking up bad info.
Dave's is, or should be the site of record for PRC.

Jmbf · Joined: 29 Jun 2014 Posts: 663

I don't think we are doing anyone a serious disservice with these recent posts. They are just another data point to add into the mix.

Considering that:

The OP was originally asking about 12K / month in Guangzhou without accommodation being sufficient

And seeing that replies were along the lines of yes you can survive on 12K no accom but 15K with accom would be better etc etc

I think it would be fair to assume that 22K / month would, for most teachers, be quite comfortable in Guangzhou.

guobaoyobro · Joined: 10 Dec 2015 Posts: 73 Location: China

I'd like to add (again and again) :

It's all about perspective, what you want, and why you are here.

I'm in Northeast China. We had a teacher here that said he couldn't save money. I asked what he spent his money on, and he said "booze and hash".

After my raise in June, I'll be saving $800 / month.

I eat like a local, drink occasionally, smoke, go out for Thai, etc.

So, think of that.

One guy cannot save a penny. The other saves $800 a month. Same salary, same city.

When I was in GZ, I eat pretty cheaply. Beers can be found cheap. I honestly don't know what the heck some of these people are doing if they can't live on these salaries.

Jmbf · Joined: 29 Jun 2014 Posts: 663

mrenglish2nd · Joined: 07 Mar 2016 Posts: 45

22,000 a month was it as I was self-employed. Housing ran me 4,000 rising to 4,300 over the five-year period. Visas ran me about 6,500 for a 2-year when available about 5,000 for a 1-year when not. I took vacations in Hong Kong (staying in Kowloon), lived, ate, drank as I liked, saved money, put my wife through school to study Chinese. It was plenty.