Job Discussion Forums

MickyB · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 5:21 pm Post subject: Changsha,Hunan Province

I am currently teaching oral English in a small city in Hubei Province...so far the school has been very good to me as far as living conditons in general. The only problem in the isolation and the lack of any real form of social life.
However I am looking at the posibilties of moving to a larger city. Not until September 05 as i am finishing this contract first and doing some research into possible place that might make living in China, just little more exciting.
Would anyone on this BBS have any useful information on this city

Changsha, Hunan Province.

In regards to number of middle schools, conditions of living/price of living.
Currently earning 4100 RMB/mth and I am happy with that. Original contract offer was 3500RMB/mth. So the extra money was nice little bonus!

Thanks in advance for any information!

Jolly · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 202

MickyB · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 11:57 pm Post subject:

Thankyou Jolly for you thoughts and opinions. As I said I am looking for infomation at this point.
ATM it would look like a step up from the city I am currently in. It is still early days, once again thanks for your feedback!

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I too don't think Changsha is a regular westerner's cup of tea. I only passed through it several times en route to other destinations, and I was hosted most graciously by CHinese students; yet the town didn't inspire me with much to boast about.
I would say, in the same part of China you would feel much better in Wuhan. That is a city with a lively expat scene, judging by its size, the businesses it has attracted (a European university, Peugeot, a lot of mutlinationals). Besides, I am rather partial on Hubei people: I don't know any other Chinese provincial populace as welcoming as they are.

NewWest · Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 13

I think Jolly provides some good insights into life in Changsha.

It depends what your looking for. As Jolly says, if its a dynamic environment that you crave, then Changsha is not the ticket. However, if you want to be part of typical Chinese life (in the suburban sense) then Chansha offers some insights. It is improving - but by no means the ideal spot for FTs.

Having lived there I'd say go for it!

MickyB · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 4:17 am Post subject:

Well thanks guys for ya feedback!
What i am looking for is a place say 30% western---70% Eastern....with maybe the chance to have a bit of a social life but not too much western influence.....don't mind a bit but not too much!
Having a little bit of a choice in say.....grabbing a burgar or a western beer from time to time in a city that I might see a western person from time to time!
ATM there is no other western people here at all. However I did speak to a mate from home and he seems keen to come over and have a look around china and I did tell him that the school is keen to have another FT so that might make thing a bit better. I mean is only 3-4 hours bus/train to Changsha so that might be another idea!

Pro's....
got a job already
like the school
pays ok...might push for a rise next year!
kids are great!
Having a good mate from home come would be great!

Con's well what I have already said.

Just thinking out load.....what do you guys think?

Green Lantern · Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 10:32 am Post subject: Changsha...

Hi,

well I'm working in Changsha, and yes, the weather does have "mood swings". Nearing December, it was freezing cold one day and warm the next day.

I am negative about the pollution, the roadwork being done in my neighborhood (it's a developing city) and the like, but if you want a place that has few foreigners, then come here. Central heating is a concept this place could borrow from the North.

The pay sounds low, but IMHO, I'm getting a similar amount from the college I'm working at. It helps to shop around as there are many colleges and schools here. And without wanting to delve into the debate on which schools are good or not, there is also English First located here.

Changsha isn't all far off from western creature comforts. It does have developed shopping districts and western style department stores, restaurants, and other such places. Some friends I've made in other cities have complained they have no access to western groceries - which isn't a problem here.

Changsha is not a bad starting point to travel North, East, South, or West as it's kinda central in China. It's not a "big" city but it isn't a "small" town.

randyj · Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 6:15 pm Post subject:

Try to locate on the west side of the Xiang River for some pollution relief. Hunan University and Hunan Normal University are situated there, as well as Yuelushan, a large park.