cost of living in chengduI am moving to chengdu in January of 2008 to study traditinal chinese medicine. I was wondering if anyone could fill me in on how much it will cost me per month to live. How much for a decent apartment, food etc. I plan on living a fairly simple yet comfortable lifestyle. Thanks for any info. Oren. |
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Comments
Chengdu!
Chengdu is a fantastic and cheap city! You're a lucky bloke indeed!
Teachers out there usually get paid 3500RMB and live like kings (with free housing). So I would say for about 5000 you should be having a great time. If you're conservative with your money you could spend a lot less than that.
The Geezer
About Right
Geezer is right! Chengdu is great. You'll be a little cold in January: the weather isn't too bad, but the indoor heating is terrible. Bring long underwear!
for 600 US a month you should be more than fine. You could get by on 400. It all depends on your tastes and needs.
Traditional Chinese Medicine?
That's nuts! How'd you end up getting into traditional Chinese medicine?
I thought about doing acupuncture but then I got worried about the cleanliness of the needles. Someone told me that you can buy your own to make sure they're clean. Is that the kind of stuff you'll be doing? How the hell did you end up studying Chinese medicine in Chengdu. That's pretty cool!
Chengdu
Thanks for all the info. I was told I could live pretty comfortably out there for around $300 US a month. I guess the people I spoke with haven't been out there for a while. I guess I will need to save up a bit more mullah than I thought before heading out. By the way, what is the possibility of teaching part time privately over there. I will be in school, but should have some free time to teach.
Thanks,
Oren.
chinese medicine
yeah I will be studying acupuncture at Chengu Traditional Chinese Medicine University. I was actually really sick for a while and was healed through acupuncture. I studied over here in new york for a year and just recently decided I would get a much better education and cooler experience if I was to go to the source. After doing research I found Chengdu to be the place to study. I have a Mandarin language program that starts next March in Sichuan university and will go for a year and a half. Afterwards I will enter into Chengdu TCM university. I think its going to be a pretty crazy adventure.
Oren.
Chengdu
jynce,
what type of living standards will I get for 400 dollars a month? I will be studying alot so my main concerns are living accomodation, food, and a little spending money.
Oren
you lived there already?
So you already know the Chuan Da area a bit? I love Grandma's kitchen. What a great way to spend a Sunday morning!
400 dollars is probably a bit low, but if you don't mind chinese-style accommodation then you can do that for about 120 US a month. Food can be really cheap--30 yuan a day should be fine on your own, maybe 60 for a meal if you want to really treat yourself (of course there are always more expensive options). Going to western style bars can be pricey, but otherwise you should be okay for the most part. Your apartment should be mostly furnished.
If you're short on money you can always teach a few hours a week for about 100 yuan an hour.
You're really planning ahead huh?
Jynce
First time in China
This will be my first time in China. I am going to study traditional chinese medicine. I will need to do a year and a half language program at Sichuan University and then I can go into the medical university. I am looking at a good 6-7 years and am trying to save up enough to not really work too much while I'm out there. It really helps to get info from people at the source. Well, thanks alot, this has given me some perspective. I am ready for quite an adventure.
Thanks,
Oren.
costs
I should put a few additions onto what I said before:
1. If you're going to be here 6-7 years, you should keep in mind that there is a good chance the RMB will at least partially float. I would budget for a bit more if you are looking at several years. maybe 700 a month.
2. You can always find part time work if you need money, so if you don't mind teaching or something like that, you should be fine. It's technically illegal on a student visa but no one cares.
Apartments in Chengdu
Just wondering how much it would cost for a western style one bedroom apartment. Could you get one for $200 a month?
Depends
You asked a tricky and loaded question. "western" flat can mean anything. For a "real" western flat it will cost a lot, but those are pretty luxurious. In the end you'll probably have to get a decent "Chinese" apartment. For example, in a lot of Chinese flats the shower does not have a door and water goes everywhere. This is not pleasant. However, the amazing thing about Chinese landlords is that they'll provide more than you would expect if you ask. I found a flat I liked but there was no shower stall so to speak. So I told the landlady, and to my surprise she told me it would be installed before I moved in (and it was). She even gave me a second tv for my bedroom without me really asking.
So in short, for 200 you should be able to find something, especially in the area around the medical university. However, near Chuan Da (ie- Sichuan Universty) it may cost a little more, though I cannot pin down an exact price. For 1500 RMB you should be able to find something to your liking, it is just what standard you want and how persistent you are.
The Geezer
Apartments in Chengdu
In chengdu are several real estate companies who can help you by finding a place. Chinese but foreign as well. Most of them offer a lot of extra services, like internet or satelite tv. I found mine apartment true Maxxelli (www.maxxelli.net).
Marc
Location/price
Not to be too Chinese and ask about pricing, but how much was your apartment and what location and amenities do you have, just for reference?
I know it's a bit nosy, but hopefully you're not offended :-0
I"ll help you find an apartment in chengdu with Eglish service
I am Chinese who is fluent in speaking English. If you plan to visit chengdu and looking for an apartment, write to me and tell me your preference. I can help you to find the best offer. Definitely it will be more affordable than hotel and you will be able to experience the daily life in our friendly city. If you have any enquire please email me
email : chengduapartment@hotmail.com
phone number :13541195734
Chengdu expat community
How many expats live in Chengdu these days? It must be a bunch I guess.
Number of Foreign Residents in Chengdu
At last count, there were about 3,000 foreign residents registered
in Chengdu. Consulates representing various countries include:
France
Germany
Korea
Pakistan
Singapore
Thailand
USA
Canada & the UK consulates are in Chong Qing.
However, both have Chambers of Commerce or
similar business associations in Chengdu. Other
Chambers include AmCham (USA) & the EUCC
(Europe).
The Australian Trade Commission has an office
in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, but unless you have
a registered company downunder, don't bother.
www.woccamedia.info
business areas
Is there a lot of business out there, internationally speaking? I know there are a lot of companies with rep offices but I don't have a good sense of whether there is significant business out there or it's just for show...
a month in Chengdu
HI, I may be in Chengdu for a month in November (work!!) I was in Chengdu in 2004, but passing through, so didnt really get a feel for fun stuff to do. I am going to be staying out of Chengdu during the week, but will be coming in on the weekend. Can you suggest some nice breakfast places? some good markets? I am really interested in textiles, and while I am there, I would like to stock up on some decent (quality)clothes and some accessories. Basically, as I will be quite isolated during the week, I would also like to go out to some friendly bars.....cheers, from Melbourne
stuff in chengdu
Grandma's kitchen is your best bet for good breakfast brunch food over by Sichuan University. There are a few good bars along the river near the Jiaotong Hotel if I remember correctly. For shopping there's a market across the street from Du Fu's cottage slightly to the east. That's mostly Chinese nick nacks...
one more thing
Just wondering if somebody can point me in the direction of quality dvds and music in Chengdu? I will be working out of chengdu, and on the weekend I arrive I will be rushing through, and would like to stock up at Carrefour on the essentials, and some dvds. Hope to hear your advice
DvDs
well ther are many places to get DvDs the "Tech Towers" are the easiest on Ren Ming Nan Lu, they are two giant computer buildings the top floors have DvD places. Also near Sichuan University there is a Trust-Mart and it has good DvD shops above it.
massage
Hi anybody in Chengdu.
Can you point me in the right direction for a good Chinese massage? centrally located preferably!!
Cheers
Willing to work in Chengdu
Hello Folks!
My name is Carlos Rubens and I am a Brazilian national. Recently, I was invited to teach English and Spanish at Shuangliu Experimental Middle School.
I've lived in Taiwan for two years, where I got my Master's degree in International Affairs. However, I am afraid my Chinese is yet, not good enough. In addition to that, I aware there are considerable differences regarding the accent.
Do you believe, Chengdu would represent a good opportunity/experience to expand my cultural & professional horizon in mainland China?
Warmest Regards from Brazil
Medicine
I am a Student at my local Dental School but i dream of going in china to study traditional medicine
As for language: Chengdu
As for language:
Chengdu dialect is quite different from standard Mandarin. The difference is roughly the same as that between low German and Standard German. What's more, standard Mandarin is rarely used in Chengdu, because people think their language is "easy to understand". When they try to speak putonghua, their accent is terrible.
Therefore even you speak 'OK' putonghua, don't expect to understand even 50% of what local people say. However, if you stay there for a couple of years, you'll get by. It's not as different as another language.
With family in Chengdu
Hi!
We are a Finnish family. And now it seems that my wife has expanded her bussiness so that we will be landing in Chengdu sometime at october for a few months (even half a year). We have made plans so that I will be the one to take care of the family and home while she will be starting the office there. Our children are two lovely girls of 6 and 10 years.
So how should we plan to live. I might do some oddjobs at the office and so we may need a nanny. And the school for so short a while. Do the international schools take child for shorter while than whole season.
There was some discussion about the apartments. What should i expect the rent would be for a 2 bedroom 80 sq m apartment. It should be quite centrally located. And cosy.
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