The decision to move and live in China provides a challenge to newcomers on a variety of levels. When evaluating your options on coming to China, it is important to understand your wage and purchasing power. For those being paid in RMB, the local currency, you may notice that the sum of money appears to be less that what you would make at home. There is a reason for this.

Basic items and the general cost of living in China are remarkably less than in any other western county.

In China, you can live in two worlds. If you want to eat at swank western restaurants, travel by taxi, and frequent international bars and clubs, you can for a fraction of the price of what it would cost you at home. In some instances however, specifically with regards to western food and drink, the prices can be equal or greater than they would be at home. These prices are often equalized when looking at the big picture. If you prefer to eat at local restaurants, take the bus and metro, and socialize at local haunts, you will have more money at your disposal. Many people decide to live a combination of the two; the lifestyle choice is up to you.

Many expatriates living in working in China arrived to teach English in China. These are often the same individuals who question whether they will have enough money to survive, live well, and travel. The answer in the majority of cases is that yes, a good living standard is the norm for teachers. These individuals should be aware of the benefits of finding jobs while still in their home country.

The other half of the expatriate puzzle is those who are transferred over to China from their local office. Many of these individuals are given salary options such as partially being paid in RMB and partially in their home currency. Executives and business professionals can expect to live a higher quality of life in China if their salary is kept the same as at home. Other factors to consider are benefits, the cost of education for children (which can be high for international schools), transportation, and housing allowance.

Regardless of the lifestyle choice, many expatriates living and working in China find themselves living lifestyles which are more filled with luxuries than they would be at home. China presents a wealth of lifestyle choices, and those can vary day by day. As the country continues to surge forward more areas of China are now equipped with western amenities and thus, increasing prices. Even so, it will be a long while before the inflation starts to reverse the trend of quality of life in China for expatriates.

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