Job Discussion Forums

[bacalao]

Hi all,

I've done plenty of prep lurk already, but I believe all of you when you say things change fast in China, so I thought I would throw a line out for some current opinions.

I've just received an offer in Chengdu. It's at a mill, 8,000 rmb plus 1,000 rmb housing allowance, for 25 teaching hours and 15 aquarium diorama hours. I know the mentors here tend to sneer at that sort of arrangement, and I have plenty of doubts myself, but before I even start on any negotiations or existential compromises, I have a more fundamental doubt to deal with about whether I should go to Chengdu at all.

I got pretty set on Chengdu. From what I can tell online, its size and character, and its balance of new development and historical undertow, would suit me well. But as I started to understand that the air quality there is about as bad as it gets for a second-tier city and only getting worse, I started to have second thoughts.

My instinct is to go in with a who-cares, how-bad-could-it-be attitude, but I know that my concept of air pollution's potential to tangibly ruin my day may not be calibrated for China.

So with Chengdu's one giant drawback in mind, I started my job search again with relatively ok air quality as the top priority. That brought me to Qingdao, which seems like another very interesting city, with its own character, and less disincentives to breathe. But somehow Qingdao attracts my imagination a little less than Chengdu. From my wholly unscientific first impression, it feels safer, tamer, less one of China's strange vital organs than Chengdu. On the other hand, I'm also concerned I may be falling prey to an advertised romantic notion of Chengdu that won't have much relation to the reality there. And I'm sure Qingdao would blow my mind plenty.

So I'm asking for any weigh-ins, counterpoints or relevant info at all. People in either place now? People who have spent time in both? Year-later job prospects in either place? Cost of living? Vibrancy of cultural scene, actual inhabitants? Or tell me to shut up and decide on my own, which I am considering doing, along with maybe just travelling to some cities first so I can get some firsthand knowledge.

My stats: I'm a mid20s newbie, never been to China, don't speak but would like to learn Mandarin, don't want to to get comfy with a circle of westerners or be unduly tempted to, but won't mind a couple commiseraters/conspirators at times, like cities that have a coherent temperament, a place I can form an idea of in my head (auckland, phoenix fail; dunedin, tucson, nyc, charlottesville pass), not as important what the idea is

[muffintop]

Do you have an offer in Qingdao? If so, please provide details. Frankly if you are interested in both cities, let the best job offer decide for you.

I have never been to Chengdu but have lived in Qingdao for over 3 years. It's a pretty good city to live in if you can stand the humidity all year. In summer it feels hotter than it is and in winter it will chill you to the bone though the temp may not be very low.

As most other cities in China (I believe) Qingdao is rather spread out. You'll have a totally different vibe from district to district. Shibei, Shinan, Huangdao, Licang, Chenyang, Laoshan, Jimo.....some of these are pretty far from what I would consider the city. If you don't mind being a bit out of the main city, Huangdao is quiet and clean (in comparison) and the beaches are better. Shinan is the main part of the city I guess where you'll easily find foreign goods and beaches chock full of tourists. Things tend to be on the expensive side here. Shibei is where I live and it's really ideal for me right now. I live in what's called Taidong. Shopping and eating are inexpensive and there is no shortage of either. Night BBQ's are all over the place for all but the coldest months. It's a bit on the crowded (and dirty) side but it's more or less centrally located to everything in the city. Public transportation in and out of taidong is excellent.

Cost of living is...reasonable if you know where to shop. Avoid the touristy areas, shop where the locals do.

Summer brings in tourists by the boatload and it will be often difficult to find taxis or restaurants with an open table. After you spend some time here and know more than the tourists do you'll be fine. They tend to flock to the same places and it's relatively easy to avoid the herds.

As far as culture is concerned...Qingdao has some history and you'll find German architecture in some parts of the city. Pretty easy to spot....they are just about the only buildings more than 40 years old that have not collapsed. Outside of that there is...beer in a bag. Beer really is Qingdao's 'thing'.....that and seafood.

[mw182006]

Welcome. You're going to get a wide range of responses, including a possible troll or two. I am preparing to move to Chengdu myself as a first timer, so I can't offer anything as far as personal experience. If you haven't stumbled on it already, I can point you to chengduliving.com which is a nice little site run by some expats there. Here's an article they put out on pollution specifically, and at one point someone was posting daily pictures of the air quality in the forum.

http://www.chengduliving.com/chengdu-pollution-tips/

I'll be living about 10 minutes outside of the city, so I'm hoping that's going to cut down on my exposure a bit.

[Javelin of Radiance]

[muffintop]

[chinatimes]