°µÍø½ûÇø

hi Paul,
I'm living in Shanghai for 4 years now , And the cost of the life become more and more expensive. I am working for a real estate agency and I can tell you that to find a very simple flat downtown it's min 4000 rmb- but in the suburbs: Gubei ( west)- North people square- Zhongshan Park (w-nw) or xujiahui, you can find some flat between 2500 and 4000 rmb very decent one for western people. You have to check with the local agencies in every district.  And to have a better idea about the life cost: A chinese noddle soup is around 6 rmb- a big beer in a convenient store it's 3 rmb- a beer in a nice pub it's 60 rmb and a cocktail in the bar rouge it's 60 rmb too- a western restaurant + wine: min 200 rmb... a metro ticket 3 rmb and a bicycle is 150 rmb first price. a good massage: 300 rmb -( dragonfly price)! welcome in Shanghai!

Well, I used to work as a teacher and made 4000 RMB a month plus board. Compared to the average Chinese I kind of felt like I lived like a king. Especially when I looked out the window and saw construction workers eating and sleeping at their work sites, migrants from some village. I ate out almost every night because I often found that the cost of food at an average restaurant was almost the same price as buying groceries and cooking at home. My salary of course didn't support many nights boozing at the expensive °µÍø½ûÇø bars. So compared to °µÍø½ûÇøs working for foreign companies I was living like, well, like a teacher. But the gap between me and alot of Chinese was often staggering.

Shanghai has the whole spectrum of lifestyles, from the poorest being squeezed further and further to the outskirts, to high-rise inhabitants with a Manhattan-like lifestyle. Anyway, I had a great time and walked out of there with a about 4000 USD in my pocket. The experience, of course, is priceless.

Good luck.

Hello Paul,

I worked in Shanghai for a summer and loved it. On that salary you will do fine; I would recommend this site if you want to travel at all- be aware that the hotel photos are not always accurate.



I lived and worked on the PuXi side of town (East). The shopping was fantastic, although my body took about 2 weeks to adjust to the food.

Hope that helps. If you want recommendations on where to travel to/shop/party/eat, let me know.

Yep,I completely agreed Jack's point of views.

As it's nearly two years passed, I'm sure that, Paul,you've already found out the answer for your question- salary 11,000 RMB is enough or not? LOL

Good luck.

Hi Paul,

We just moved in few months ago, cost of living is high but it depends on location. If the company pays your house rent and health insurance I think that is ok.

Hey Paul,

I am currently in Shanghai now and the cost of living is definitely really low. However, I think that it somewhat fluctuates. For example, I get very homesick for certain amenities and those are pricier over here, so budgeting is a necessity.

Real estate is really good, I have a large 3-bedroom apartment and we are paying 8000RMB a month with washing machines, heat, AC, maid service, on-site repair men, doormen, parking, and wireless internet included.

As for the cost of food, there are cheap vendors on the street, cheap Chinese restaurants, then more pricey Western restaurants.

I would recommend smarthshanghai.com/ , accidental°µÍø½ûÇø.com/ and shanghai°µÍø½ûÇø.com/ for more helpful blogs and information.


Good luck with your decision,
Christina

The biggest expense is always accommodation. If your company is renting a place for you, then you will be good with 11000RMB. I work in an real estate company, most of our clients are °µÍø½ûÇø, let me know if I can be helpful for u.
Welcome to Shanghai!

11,000RMB is quite less for the foreigners , it will be better if the accmmodation is paid by the company .

11,000 RMB is fair.

ENOUGH!

11,000 is more than enough for you to live on, if thats all you want to do.  You wont end up saving very much, but you will definitely enjoy your life to the fullest while here in China.

Hi Pauline

I find your input very insightful but it's dated 2007. I am planning to move to Shanghai soon. Do you mind to give us another update on the living expenses in Shanghai?

pauline wrote:

hi Paul,
I'm living in Shanghai for 4 years now , And the cost of the life become more and more expensive. I am working for a real estate agency and I can tell you that to find a very simple flat downtown it's min 4000 rmb- but in the suburbs: Gubei ( west)- North people square- Zhongshan Park (w-nw) or xujiahui, you can find some flat between 2500 and 4000 rmb very decent one for western people. You have to check with the local agencies in every district.  And to have a better idea about the life cost: A chinese noddle soup is around 6 rmb- a big beer in a convenient store it's 3 rmb- a beer in a nice pub it's 60 rmb and a cocktail in the bar rouge it's 60 rmb too- a western restaurant + wine: min 200 rmb... a metro ticket 3 rmb and a bicycle is 150 rmb first price. a good massage: 300 rmb -( dragonfly price)! welcome in Shanghai!