Job Discussion Forums

[creeper1]

Hello Gang

How much money should you bring to get through your first month? Comfortably.

I want to have enough for the emergency runner if I am unlucky enough to landed with a bad employer.

What currency is best to arrive with? Dollars, Euros, something else?

Is it easy to convert currency to Yuan? Are the money changers open long hours?

How about travelers cheques? My experience in Asia so far has taught me they don't trust/want travelers cheques.

[Shroob]

[askiptochina]

[creeper1]

Sorry. Do you mean I should change the money in my home country?

Yes. There are a lot of one time purchases. Pots, pans, clothes racks etc etc.

The city I am going to is Foshan.

The country I'd run to (only as a last resort) would be the UK.

I am going to be coming on a z-visa not a tourist visa.

Cheers.

[askiptochina]

[Mister Al]

Come with at least USD1000 plus enough for a flight home, all in cash. You can change USD to RMB in the bank very easily almost everywhere and you will get a better rate in China.

[Zimmer]

Dollars are probably the easiest to change here but I'd bring Yuan if you can. Or change a decent chunk at the airport. It's not always easy to change money , especially in a strange country and not speaking the language and you don't want to be without yuan your first few days while you find someone who can help you.

As to how much.. that really depends on your situation. Where will you be living? How furnished is it? What city? what will you need to buy? Will you be taking taxis to work or walking? Can you cook at home or will you be eating outside ?

Bring as much as you can would be my advice.

[Guerciotti]

[Lobster]

Some people here don't understand the difference between premeditation and caution even though they claim to be English teachers. I apologize on their behalf.

RED

[rogerwilco]

One of the things that I have learned is to always have a "plan b" and even a "plan c".
It helps to give me patience and peace of mind, and it also allows me to be prepared for the many surprises that happen in China and elsewhere.

I believe that it is foolish to not plan ahead and try to be prepared for the many challenges and surprises that can happen in life.

[MisterButtkins]

Bring at least 100000$ in cash... no but really, bring enough for a flight ticket plus 3k RMB, I think that should cut it. I mean really, if you do pull a runner you are just going to need enough to buy a ticket and get you on the plane, and if you aren't pulling a runner 3k plus however much a plane ticket costs (at least 5k? so 8k total?) should be more than enough to get you by.

[lemak]

$1,000 for the plane ticket and $500 for the first month's expenses. Change at least $100 into yuan before you get to China just to be on the safe side in case airport banks or money changers are closed.

[xiguagua]

I brought one months salary that I was being paid in China. And that was way too much. My apartment was furnished, I only bought hangers and laundry detergent and a towel. The rest of my money was spent on food, I didn't even buy a cell phone for about 3 months. Granted I was in a small town, but I figure if you can't survive the first month with a months salary, then you might be in trouble the future months.

My roommate at that time only had about 500yuan.......I had to loan him money, which he paid back.

[Mike E]

In your experience, will a credit card be much help, if expenses do build up in the first month?

[7969]