Job Discussion Forums

jashworth · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 12

Newbie here. I have researched much on china, but all my knowledge is theoretical. If anyone could help me figure out where I should live and teach, I very much would appreciate it!!!

Where is the coolest/most fun/cultural place to live? Is there a couple places expats talk highly of more than others? Im leaving to China very soon. Achchchhhggghh! I'm slightly nervous. Thanks.

Jonathan.

Also. If there are cities I should stay away from too: Smog, Crime, Polution. etc...

Sonnet · Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 235 Location: South of the river

Guangzhou = Rich, dirty, corrupt, humid and HOT.

Zhejiang = Coastal, pretty hot, fairly rich.

Jiangsu = Humid and either super-rich or super-poor, depending on which side of the Yangtze you're on.

As for "cool" or "traditional" in China, what do you mean? If you want somewhere with straw hats, bamboo forests, kung-fu and tai-chi... well, that's as far from "cool", modern & typical of modern China as you can get.

"Fun"? If your fun lies in socialising, go for Eastern China. If it lies in outdoors pursuits, Western China is a better bet.

Listen to lots of offers, talk to teachers currently working at schools/universities/centres, and find out as much as you can before making your own decision. Advice and information help, but they're no substitute for the groundwork you'll have to put down if you want to make something of your time in China.

eslstudies · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden

wailing_imam · Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 580 Location: Malaya

Guangzhou is an utter pit. Nothing other than food to commend it.

Jiangsu and Zhejiang are both pleasant areas. Jiangsu is a bit flat, and Zhejiang offers more in the way of outdoors activities.

ispeakgoodenglish · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 5:31 pm Post subject:

Guangzhou is not perfect but it is just over an hour from HK by train and has 3 English channels (1 local, 2 from HK). People have a love/hate relationship with here.....

If you have the time, money and patience then go for a trip to each of those places and pick the one you feel comfortable with.

jashworth · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 12

So I think I have narrowed it down to either Zhejiang or Shandong.
If you'd like to tell me what you like best, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again everyone.

J.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Shandong: no typhoon.

Sonnet · Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 235 Location: South of the river

If you want to avoid the worst of the pollution, then I'd reccommend either a coastal city in Shandong, or somewhere in southern Jiangsu.

(The typhoon pretty much missed Jiangsu, in the end. Weather forecasters, eh?)

johnchina · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 816

Qingdao (Shandong) is nice. Pleasant climate, some Western-style restaurants/bars/shops. Relaively large ex-pat community (though mainly Korean). Some nice scenery just inland and it's on the coast.

There's some gossip about a big sailing event there next year, but I don't know ... Wink

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898