Living in China

People move to China for a variety of reasons – to experience a new culture, to learn the language, or to find work and save money. Moving to the other side of the world isn’t an easy decision, nor is finding an apartment, adjusting to the culture shock, or picking up some Chinese. Through this section of the site, we aim to provide insight and advice on making the big move to China – from getting a job and visa, to securing accommodation, to daily life, the goal is to help people get ready for and adjust to life in China.

We lived in China for 5 years. This is one of our engagement photos 😀

We know how difficult it is to move to a faraway land where you can’t speak or read the language, the culture is incredibly different, and your family and friends are far away. Living abroad is not always easy, but for us it’s been the experience of a lifetime and one that we think everyone should try at least once. If you’re considering moving to China, this guide is for you!

Moving to China is no easy decision – trust us, we’ve made it! If you’re considering relocating to the Middle Kingdom, read this and answer the questions to find out if it’s really the right move for you.

Teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) is probably the most popular job for expats in China. With 5+ years experience working with students of all levels and ages, we know a thing or two about teaching English in China. Check out this guide for information on the types of jobs available, typical salaries, and much more.

Finding the right place to live in China can be a frustrating experience, to say the least. To make things easier for you, we’ve put together a guide on the types of accommodation available in China. We also show you what to expect from Chinese apartments, and even how to find the right one.

Where do I buy groceries? What kind of phone and Internet plan can I get? How do I make friends? We answer these questions and many more in this rough guide to daily life in China.

A bit of culture shock is inevitable when moving to China, no matter where you’re from. Are you ready to eat chicken feet with chopsticks? Think you can handle Chinese rocket fuel, AKA “bai jiu“? Do you have what it takes to fight the crowd to board the subway? We do our best to prepare you by going over many aspects of culture shock in China.

Despite the great work of English teachers such as ourselves, it’s still rare to find people who speak it in China. Knowing even a little bit of Chinese will make your life so much easier and more enjoyable. We go over some ways to learn Chinese here, including some you can do from the comfort of your living room.