Site Search:
 
Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Shanghai Savings for the independent apartment dweller

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> China (Job-related Posts Only)
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Atlas



Joined: 09 Jun 2003
Posts: 662
Location: By-the-Sea PRC

PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2003 11:14 pm    Post subject: Shanghai Savings for the independent apartment dweller Reply with quote

Seriously, how much $ can a person put in the bank in Shanghai every month? What can you amass after six months or a year?

How much $ should a person bring to feel safe about settling in? I dont want to live in a hole, but a moderate 1 or 2 bedroom apartment.

I'm new to the ESL field, but experienced in business, group leadership, authoring, french and japanese, Psychology BA. I'm interested in short and longterm projections. Do I have to live like a college student (i.e., dorm or hostel lifestyle)??? Can i afford a modicum of dignity? Save enough for a way out if i need it? Any info is appreciated! I'm about to embark, and me no wanna get stuck in a hole.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Minhang Oz



Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 610
Location: Shanghai,ex Guilin

PostPosted: Thu Jul 10, 2003 3:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you're about to embark, this would indicate you've got a job lined up, but you don't give any kind of information to provide the basis for an answer. What % of your income do you save at home? You'll probably find you can save more here, and have the capacity to increase your earnings at will. Some real workaholics here have made 20000 rmb a month, but thats 40+ hours a week - no fun. A lot of school accomm. here is fine; I've got a western kitchen and bathroom, all appliances are new, aircon throughout. Probably a room in a shared place would be 1200 +, a small apartment 2000 at least, but probably a long way out of the centre, and not near the subway. You'll have to pay at least a month up front as a deposit, and you'll need to support yourself until your first pay.
Maybe a financial planner would be more use to you!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Atlas



Joined: 09 Jun 2003
Posts: 662
Location: By-the-Sea PRC

PostPosted: Thu Jul 10, 2003 6:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the good info. In fact I have not lined something up yet, I prefer to get a look at a school in person. It does seem like a reasonably hard working person can survive just fine, i'm encouraged, thanks!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
struelle



Joined: 16 May 2003
Posts: 2372
Location: Shanghai

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2003 7:41 am    Post subject: Re: Shanghai Savings for the independent apartment dweller Reply with quote

Quote:
Seriously, how much $ can a person put in the bank in Shanghai every month? What can you amass after six months or a year?


It depends on many things, such as the salary, location of housing, and lifestyle. From my experience, saving at least 50% of the salary is doable.

Quote:
How much $ should a person bring to feel safe about settling in? I dont want to live in a hole, but a moderate 1 or 2 bedroom apartment.


Location is everything in Shanghai, and prices can vary considerably depending on where you look for a place. If you find something on the subway lines or in a central neigborhood like JingAn, Nanjing XiLu, XuJiaHui, or the like, expect to pay a fair chunk (I'd guess upwards of 3000RMB).

One thing to try is look for apartments between the inner and outer ring roads. This is the most booming part of real estate in town, and there is likely oversupply to bring the prices down. It may be a little ways from the subways, but the population density is lower and you can get a nicer deal for your money.

If you have local connections, use them. There is no longer an official 'dual pricing system' that I know of, but almost every foreigner I meet in Shanghai gets ripped off on housing rents. If locals can help you rent at the better price, then go for it. Maybe offer English lessons in return or some other service to keep the guanxi going.

I found $US1000 was what I needed to get started in Shanghai before regular payments came in (took a month). It was more than expected, as the rents were a killer. Most landlords want 2 months rent as a deposit, and expect you to pay another month up front.

In general, if you have contacts already in Shanghai to help you or some kind of repatriation service, it makes things so, so so much easier. Trying to wing it, or make the transition on your own is just brutal. I spent about a week helping an American friend get set up in town awhile back, and the amount of stuff we had to take care of was overwhelming.

Having said all that, it's a great place to live and work, and once you get over the shock hurdle, life in Shanghai is great fun.

Steve
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> China (Job-related Posts Only) All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group

Teaching Jobs in China
Teaching Jobs in China