I'm making 5500 a month. I only teach 10 clock hours a week in a senior high, and it isn't much money, but I am comfortable and am enjoying my time here. I don't drink noe smoke, but I eat out in a nice restaurant at least once a week and cook western food for myself (buying cheese and more expensive meat, etc.). As well, I know some people blowing through 9,000 a month. They are out every night, always take taxis instead of the bus, never cook at home...

Liveable is totally different for every person. My city can be as expensive as Shanghai or as cheap as any other 2nd tier city in China. It's up to you. Do you go to bars? Do you eat at western restaurants every day? My city has really nice street food (a fantastic bowl of noodles for 5rmb outside my school) and they have a very upscale area with all the western amenities and prices.

I find salaries here (in teaching) to be a bit low for such a nice, modern city. Nice place to live. LOts of expats with loads of cash locally in the business world.

Most of the teachers I have met so far here are either in relaxed jobs in the public sector on low salaries, or working themselves to death in the private sector for a mediocre salary. Luckily, I have the necessary academic qualifications to work public. I'd never work private as I know I would hate the accompanying stress and long hours. The extra salary wouldn't compensate for the increased stress and loss of free time.