Job Discussion Forums

[wiggy]

comrades, have been offered a (non-teaching) job in shanghai. pay is 10,000 yuan per month, no tax, free accomodation, free health care and 5 free meals per week. can i save money or at least live comfortably on this package, as i hear shanghai is expensive? (ps - i rarely go out to expensive expat bars or restaurants).

also, any comments on the city most welcome - the good and the bad. i've lived in HK for 2 years, and thought that was ok, so i presume shanghai would be ok? thanking you.

[struelle]

With that pay and benefits, you'll manage just fine - saving shouldn't be a problem. The city can be expensive but it's more or less what you make of it. If you like nightlife, fine dining, and other expat perks, you can spend a lot. The basics like food, transport, and clothes are quite low, similar to other places in China.

With more than 20 million people, Shanghai is crowded, but it's relatively easy to get around and get things done. You don't need to speak Chinese here, but it comes in very handy if you do. The city is noisy, depending on which district you live in, but that's managable. There is a lot of variety and things to do, it's hard to be bored here.

Steve