Living in China - Recent Posts

Foreigners working in China, how did you find jobs there, and what do you do?

Pelling Andrew — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 04:16:15 +0000

I've been to China three times already and am considering moving there to live with my girlfriend. I'm just wondering how difficult it is to find a job there, and if you know any tips or tricks that could help?

I prefer living in China over living in the US

GotoNatalie — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 21:48:14 +0000

Disclaimer: I’m an American citizen who has lived in the US my entire life. I’ve never been to China, but if I had the opportunity to move there tomorrow, I would do it without hesitation. Here are the main reasons why I currently feel this way.

Abortion rights: In China, women retain control over their reproductive choices. In the US, with Roe v. Wade overturned, abortion access is rapidly disappearing across many states and is likely to be entirely banned in several of them by 2025.

Separation of church and state: China enforces a strict separation between religion and government. In contrast, the US has increasingly blurred that boundary, with religious ideology playing an ever-larger role in political decision-making.

Health care: China has universal health care; the US does not. Additionally, during the pandemic, China’s response—though extremely strict—prevented mass casualties. I’d personally prefer harsh lockdowns over losing the equivalent of five million people, which is the proportional number of Americans who died from COVID.

Gun violence: In the US, there is always a background fear of gun violence. Every time I leave my house, I know there’s a non-zero chance of encountering a mass shooting. China’s strict gun laws mean that daily life doesn’t involve that constant risk.

Human rights: I’m aware of China’s treatment of Uyghurs and fully condemn it. However, I also believe the US is committing its own human rights violations—specifically against LGBTQ youth through policies like “Don’t Say Gay,” book bans, and attempts to erase LGBTQ identities from public life.

National image: When I travel abroad, I almost never say I’m American; I say I’m from the Boston area. That’s partly because Americans are often stereotyped overseas as overweight, violent, or ignorant. Whether or not that’s fair, it’s uncomfortable. From what I can tell, China’s leadership—despite their many flaws—isn’t viewed globally with the same mix of ridicule and embarrassment that US politics often generates, especially when Republicans dominate the conversation.

Final note: China isn’t the only country I’d prefer over the US. I would love to live in places like Australia or the UK. But if my choices were narrowed down to only the US or China, based on the current trajectory of US politics and society, I’d choose China.

RE: What do you enjoy most about living in China?

JenkinsD — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 22:50:49 +0000

I love the food, the beautiful scenery—especially out west—and the milder winters down south. The high-speed rail and public transport in the big cities are fantastic.
What I can’t stand, though, is the noise. People shout way more than necessary, and the drivers are so impatient—they can’t even wait three seconds before honking their horns.

RE: Is it possible to live in China without speaking Chinese?

KayLewis — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 22:48:07 +0000

I’ve been living in Shanghai for almost five years, and my Mandarin is basically just “ni hao,” “xie xie,” and “zai jian” (not even sure how to write it properly). Yet, I’ve had absolutely no problems. Baidu Translate, screenshots, and Alipay have been my best friends here.

RE: What do you enjoy most about living in China?

DavidTirone — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 22:45:44 +0000

As a UK citizen living in China, here’s what stands out to me: the affordable cost of living and accommodation, feeling safe walking the streets at night, being able to eat out regularly without hassle, and the excellent public transportation system. The food is fantastic, and many private sector services are fast and convenient. China is also an amazing country to explore—though travel can sometimes be challenging—and it’s been great for saving money.

Is Hangzhou the best city to live in China?

DavidTirone — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 22:45:13 +0000

Here is my thought :

When it comes to natural beauty, it’s definitely a decent choice. The weather could be better though — there’s quite a bit of rain and humidity. Public transport is good, and even though the city is large, it somehow feels quite compact. None of my friends live so far away that it’s inconvenient to meet up in their neighborhood. It has many of the conveniences you’d find in a place like Shanghai but without the overwhelming crowds, noise, and hectic pace.
As for nightlife, honestly, it’s pretty boring.
I’ve heard people say that locals here aren’t as friendly or open-minded as in some other cities, but I don’t think I’ve experienced enough to really say. Personally, I’m not convinced the culture varies that much from city to city — at least not among the mainstream Han-majority cities.

RE: Is it possible to live in China without speaking Chinese?

BrumerPaul — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 22:36:43 +0000

Not speaking Chinese can definitely be a bit challenging and frustrating at times, but you’ll be totally fine without it. Just use a good translation app — it goes a long way.
That said, I’d still recommend learning a few basics now and picking up more while you’re there. But if you don’t, that’s okay too — you’ll manage!

What do you enjoy most about living in China?

BrumerPaul — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 22:36:05 +0000

Sometimes I find myself forgetting why I enjoy living here — especially over the past year or so. But at the end of the day, I must still like it, otherwise I wouldn’t still be here.
This sub isn’t exactly overflowing with positivity, so I figured it might be nice for us to remind each other of the good things. For me, it’s the food, the tea shops, the language, the little neighborhood markets. There’s always something going on, and the daily conveniences still surprise me sometimes. Public transport is great, I’ve seen some truly beautiful places, and honestly, I really do love my job.
How about you? What makes living here worth it for you?

Is it possible to live in China without speaking Chinese?

KloppenborgJohn — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 21:52:23 +0000

Hi everyone, I’m getting ready to move to China for 10 months to teach English! I have a degree in International Studies and I’m a Black woman who’s always wanted to give it a shot and see how life goes abroad. I don’t speak Chinese at all, which makes me a bit nervous—do you need to know Chinese to live comfortably in China? I’m both excited and anxious, and would really appreciate any advice, tips, or encouragement from those who’ve been there!

RE: Which cities are more foreigner-friendly in China: Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou?

Abhishek — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 23:35:52 +0000

Good question! Honestly, all three cities—Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou—are pretty foreigner-friendly, but in slightly different ways.
Beijing has tons of history and government offices, so you’ll find lots of English signs and expats, especially around the embassy areas. The vibe is a bit more traditional but still very international in parts.
Shanghai feels the most modern and cosmopolitan—it’s super international with plenty of foreigners working and living there. English is more widely spoken in restaurants and shops, and the nightlife is great if you’re into that.
Guangzhou is a bit more relaxed and less touristy compared to the other two. It’s a big trade hub, so you’ll find many business travelers and expats too, but English might be less common outside main areas. The food scene there is amazing, especially if you like Cantonese cuisine.
So, if you want a super cosmopolitan city, Shanghai’s your best bet. For culture and history, Beijing is great. And if you want a more laid-back vibe with fantastic food, check out Guangzhou.