Job Discussion Forums

[CNexpatesl]

I'm wondering how it is to live and work for a low salary in a second or third tier city. Lots of people seem to complain about a lack of things to do, and their low salary leaving them unable to save extra money.

Is this generally true?

On the positive side of working in a smaller city, I guess one would be more in demand and have the ability to choose his employer more freely, and maybe even pick up privates easier. But then it seems like there are few schools and training centers in these 'smaller' second tier cities, even in large ones like Chengdu or Chongqing.

How is it working in a place like Chengdu, or up in the North like Shenyang, Dalian, or one of those cities?

[Non Sequitur]

I've worked in both Dalian and Qingdao which are both the 2nd cities in their respective provinces (Liaoning and Shandong).
I think you are applying a scale that doesn't exist in China.
Both Dalian and Qingdao are substantial places, with international airports.
My impression is that 2nd cities don't have the blocks and blocks of city buildings that the capitals have but any number of upscale restaurants - if you can afford them on an FT whack.

[hdeth]

[CNexpatesl]

I've been to Chengdu and Chongqing, and yes, they are quite massive. Not a lot of foreigners there. But from what I saw, training centers and schools were pretty limited there. I think I spotted one Web International in CQ. Salaries seemed pretty low, but then again I know the cost of living is also low (though steadily rising).

However, I know one can save money easily in a city like Shanghai and make over 20,000 RMB a month with two part-time jobs, teaching subjects, or taking on privates on the side. I'm guessing you won't ever come close to that in any second or third tier cities.

[3701 W.119th]

You can save money anywhere here, really. Even Shanghai/Beijing/Shenzhen.

Not a lot of foreigners in Chengdu and CQ? Really? They're as cosmopolitan as you get in west China. They are full of private English centres, and universities.

[wangdaning]

[hdeth]

I've not heard much about xenophobia anywhere in China. People are always curious...more-so someplace like Qingdao because there's a lot of tourists who have rarely, if ever, seen a lao wai.

There are gigs that pay quite well in Qingdao, but you have to look for them more and/or have good negotiation skills. I remember I saw one that paid 12k + housing for 7 teaching hours at a high school...top that off with a few privates and you could do very well.

[Markness]

[wangdaning]

This might be partly due to the fact that Chongqing is not actually a city. It is a huge section of Sichuan that was cut off. It is like taking south of Los Angeles as Los Angeles.

It might be better to see it as a miniature province, with the varying degrees you see in others. Like a micro example of how the provinces react to things (I can only wonder who decided to do this ).

I found people in Chongqing to be fairly nice, but the hills are a ..... Also, they pull the shaokao off the skewer, dump it in a bowl/pot, big turn off for me.

One of my friends and former colleagues married a girl from rural Chongqing. She was (and I am sure still is) a wonderful person. From what I have heard, from those who went to the wedding, the family was just as nice.

Chengdu, outside of the 2nd ring road can get you into all kinds of things. I have never really had anyone hostile, just can't understand. There is a guy cleaning where we work, I always say hi (in Chinese) and have saw him far from our office; noticing and recognizing him. He seems quite happy about that, but I really struggle to understand what he says. The other day at lunch, I ate my lunch in a classroom to isolate myself and get some work done, he called me over and said he didn't know how the circuit breaker worked. He needed to turn off some and leave others on, it was in English and Chinese to do so. I set it right myself, then while eating realized he didn't know how to read. Sure enough, after he cleaned he called me over again. I got the gist of the problem at that point and explained, you can turn off these two, but do not turn off the others. It will cause problems. He had no issue asking me for help, or receiving the help, and I do think the fact I said hi whenever I saw him made a difference.

Point, no hatred or nationalism or xenophobia, but, any other person could be an ass and drop the breaker any time they want. He actually cared, and I wonder if being nice as a non-Chinese made any kind of difference. If I had not have been in the classroom that lunch would he continue, would he ask a Chinese person, too many would he haves.

Sorry OP if I drifted from what you asked.

[bharrell]

Chongqing is the land of the 3 hots: hot food, summers and women. A lack of foreigners means a lack of competion for ladies who like foreigners and Chongqing is rightly reputed to have the best looking girls in China. It's not boring at all and has everything Beijing and Shanghai have but sometimes it's harder to find. The winters are foggy and it doesn't freeze. Low housing costs and low costs in general. It was easy to save money. I really enjoyed my time there.

[CNexpatesl]

[hdeth]

[CNexpatesl]

Chengdu's air quality seemed fairly good when I went there. I remember clear, blue skies.

Chongqing had smog so dense you couldn't see buildings across the street. Very bleak and grey city, but an interesting place for sure.

[Markness]

[wangdaning]

Are you all really that stupid? There are plenty of non-"good lookers" and plenty of "good lookers" all over. Every girl in Chongqing is a Chongqing girl and every girl in Chengdu is a Chengdu girl? Sounds like you are all talking about whores or something. People move, Chongqing is massive and Chengdu is large, how can you evaluate a beauty level between two places that have historically been intermingling?

Sorry, but this slope has gotten ridiculous at this point.