Korean Job Discussion Forums

[whatever]

I've become aware of some apparently good salaries available in Shanghai. I'd been strongly leaning towards remaining in Korea, albeit a different place (likely Daegu), or perhaps moving on to Hong Kong in a few months time.

The salaries are in the range of RMB 11,000-12,000. I do think that it would be interesting to check out another country. I've previously lived in Japan...great but too expensive...and Mexico...lovely but too shady. I do need to save money. I'm trying to figure out if that's possible in China without living like a pauper. Korea certainly has the upper hand in terms of gross salary...

Have you had experience that enables you to compare the two as far as cost of living, particularly in a large city? Ideally, I'd like to save at minimum the equivalent of W500,000/month and be able to spend freely besides that need.

Thanks for your imput!

[pest2]

Lived in Shanghai. You can save 500,000w (about 4000 rmb) per month.

Figure it this way:

Decent apartment; nicer than any places you've ever seen in Korea. Probably nicer than where ever you lived back in the west. Includes muliple rooms, bath tub/shower enclosed with shower curtain, seperate kitchen, fully furnished, seperate single bedroom--

3000 rmb per month.

Food, shopping at Lotus, Carrefour, or some other major chain with loads of international food you cant buy in Korea --

2-3000 rmb per month.

Transportation on subways, buses, or taxis --

500 rmb at most...

Eating out regularly, shopping for frill items--

1000 rmb

So, that leaves you with 5000 rmb, which is about 600$...

Chinese people in SH typically live comfortably at 3-4000 rmb per month. As an English teacher, you are very rich in SH compared to avg residents whereas in Korea as an English teacher, you're not.

Keep in mind that you cant travel or do anything extra on that budget, though, if you want to save that much.

I found that while its possible to save in SH, its not likely because there's simply too much fun/too much to do there that costs extra money. Living in Korea is so damn boring, I always save 1000$ a month here. In SH, it was gone....

Also, English schools in SH, with a few exceptions, wont pay your airticket home, give you 1 months severance pay, and have national pension. There's no doubt: Korea is the savings place but SH is the fun place.

If you have a TEFL degree, I'd recommend Web English, Kai En, or some other adult teaching place. Dont teach kids anywhere in SH unless you really really love it. (the best teaching jobs there are adult positions.).

[whatever]

That was incredibly helpful...thank you! Shanghai, from most of what I've heard from you and information I've gathered, does indeed seem like the place to be.

[pest2]

[lowpo]

[pugwall]

Also doing private work isnt illegal in China or if it is its not enforced so you can make a lot of extra cash that way.

[pest2]

[Ginormousaurus]

[whatever]

[pugwall]

[polonius]

I absolutely loved Shanghai. Perhaps it was easier for me, as I had a previous professor of mine living there, and was able to show me around. It was one of the best vacations I have ever had.

I can't speak about working there as an ESL teacher, although I am sure there is quite a demand for it.

Cost of living is slighty cheaper than in Seoul, and even cheaper if you move out into smaller cities, much like it is in Korea.

I would suggest taking a trip to Shanghai to see if it is condusive to yout needs and desires. It is not all that expensive to fly there. I am going in August, and I think my airfare will be around 300,000 won.

Also, the city is booming, and investments into the city continue to grow.

[pest2]

[ChinaBoy]

I always found accomodations in China to be awful. Worse than any place I've ever seen in Seoul... hmm... guess it's where you've been, eh?

and real estate prices have gone through the roof the past year, Chinese people are complaining to the govt about it

[pest2]