New to Suzhou..can I survive

Post new topic

Member since 14 January 2012

musicman1471Member14 January 2012 06:39:43

Hello All...
First post on here.
I am currently living and working in Switzerland as a music teacher and I have been offered a job in Suzhou with the following package. I start August 1st...scary!!! All prices are in RMB
I was wondering will it be enough to live comfortably and enjoy travelling through China on holidays, rent a one possibly two bed apartment but eat local food etc. I would love to have internet and I enjoy going to the the gym so membership to a gym would be great too. I am a single male with now wife or kids. Thanks for your help.

Annual gross salary is 288448 per year,
Domestic bills allowance is 36000 per year including 10000 relocation allowance,
Airfare allowance is up to 12420,
Housing allowance is 66000
Shipping allowance is up to 12420,
Health insurance covered by school.
All prices are in RMB

I am looking forward to the challenge as I am very comfortable where I am working but I love to shake things up a bit Very excited about the future and meeting some interesting people.

worldsoftheartedgirl Member

Member since 27 October 2011

worldsoftheartedgirlMember14 January 2012 09:36:37

yes you can definitely survive with that salary.

foreign teachers' monthly salaries after taxes range from 5000~2000RMB usually.

you can rent a 2 bedroom apartment for 2400~4000RMB depending on the community.

It's enough to live comfortably and enjoy travelling through China on holidays, rent a one possibly two bed apartment and eat local food etc

zzchan Member

Member since 05 January 2010

zzchanMember15 January 2012 10:01:10

Pretty good,especially with no family ..yes you will enjoy your time here with your salary , so good luck..

musicman1471 Member

Member since 14 January 2012

musicman1471Member15 January 2012 20:13:59

Thanks so much. I am very thankful to be given this job. I know it will be a very different challenge and new area from where I am at but soooooooooooo excited. thanks for the advice

PH_Sharma New member

Member since 03 February 2012

PH_SharmaNew member03 February 2012 01:11:44

Monsieur, c'est pas "survivre"; c'est "savourer"
What makes u scary?
Yes, some Chinese may eat strange things, but definitely not ppl~~
et shhhshhh...dont show ur salary...kidnapping!!!haha
just keep the excitement...ppl r just ppl everywhere, if u treat them nicely, they treat u back

akintraveler Member

Member since 02 February 2012

akintravelerMember03 February 2012 09:22:09

Oh, Yes
You will be quiet Happy, There will be many Girls chasing you all over China, There cost are much less then your salary. You should be able to live life to its fullest and save a bundle. Just remember when renting an appartment, You can always get the price down, There are many homes for rent now and many news being built everyday. So if they ask 6k per month, then you can get it for 5k or even lower, Never except the frist price in china.

take care

PH_Sharma New member

Member since 03 February 2012

PH_SharmaNew member03 February 2012 09:35:11

even with a price tag???
n girls all over china chasing u???china must be really small in ur eyes...or should i say...some Americans r lack of geo knowledge anyway?

akintraveler wrote:
Oh, Yes
You will be quiet Happy, There will be many Girls chasing you all over China, There cost are much less then your salary. You should be able to live life to its fullest and save a bundle. Just remember when renting an appartment, You can always get the price down, There are many homes for rent now and many news being built everyday. So if they ask 6k per month, then you can get it for 5k or even lower, Never except the frist price in china.

take care

Echo Liao New member

Member since 03 March 2012

Echo LiaoNew member03 March 2012 04:54:07

With ur Housing allowance 66000 u can have a nice apartment in Landmark skylight/Four seaons park/orchard manors in SIP, suzhou.With monthly rental 5,000 Rmb.
I do think u can survive, dont worry.MOst chinese r nice.
totally agree with Sharma .if u treat them nicely, they treat u back.

Articles to help you in your expat project in Suzhou

Accommodation in Suzhou
Located in China's Jiangsu province, Suzhou is home to over six million people. The city is often called the ...
Finding work in Suzhou
Located in Jiangsu province, Suzhou is an important Chinese city. It is just about 100 kilometers away from ...
Accommodation in Dalian
Dalian is the biggest city in Liaoning province. The city is home to over six million people, many of which are ...
Accommodation in Tianjin
Tianjin is a first-tier coastal city in northern China and a busy and crowded metropolis with over 15 million ...
Accommodation in Xiamen
Xiamen, located in Fujian Province in China, is one of southern China's most picturesque coastal cities and ...
Accommodation in Chongqing
Chongqing is an important city in southwest China. It is home to over 30 million people and is considered to be ...
Finding work in Shanghai
Shanghai frequently tops the list of the most desirable destinations for expats in China — in no small part ...
Buying property in Shanghai
Shanghai has continually appeared close to the top of the list of cities with the most expensive real estate in ...