Quote: (04-13-2010 06:54 AM)gringoed Wrote:
Alpha,
Thanks for the solid info on China. I plan on making my way there around Sept of this year to possibly live for a few months. I hear you on the major city recommendation. I'd like to check out 2-3 cities for potential livability in China. Mind you, I speak no Chinese right now so it's necessary to have some english-speakers or expats.
Here's what I'm looking for: *=priority
1. Clean, not too polluted
*2. Nice temperate weather, not cold.
*3. Hot chicks who love Americans.
*4. Relatively inexpensive.
5. Really nice apartments to live.
What cities would you recommend checking out?
If you are looking for live-ability you will need to narrow it down. China has almost a broad range of climates as the US does. As well as cultures.
Good ones to hit to see the different kinds of life style will be:
Beijing: Everyone should see Beijing, its massive, has a huge expat population, and probably the highest English speaking saturation. Most people can understand basic English phrases. The city is massive with a very good bus and subway system. But man it is crowded. Here you can find all different kinds of food and entertainment, and is quite "westernized," very little culture shock here. A bit cold and will see much snow. Summer is nice tho. Cost of living here is the highest of course, and Beijing smog is the poster child of pollution, but its getting better.
Harbin: One of the most northern parts of china in the east. Cold, most of the year, with temps hitting -20 to -40 C in the winter time. As bad as it sounds, its easily cope able, as only buildings north of the i think the yellow river have indoor heating (usually run by exposed hot water "radiators") and taxis are just a phone call away (not too many places in china have telephoned taxis). People here tend to be taller, with dumplings and "baijiu" (a kind of Chinese rice wine, but very strong, usually at least 40%, the higher qualities get upwards of 60% and is drunk straight) and noodles are the staples. People tend to be less traditional here, and less "all china all the time" in their ideals. Plus the girls here tend to conform more to the average western's ideal of a nice figure, plus they dress better. Its about a two hour flight from Beijing, but English is not as prevalent, and the expat population here is usually limited to foreigner teachers and students, as there isn't nearly as much international business going on here. Very very clean.
Xiamen: This is where i am based, in southern china, but i had my reasons. Xiamen is probably the least developed and westernized of the Special Economic Zones in china. English is nearly non existent outside of the expat community and the Chinese people who do business with foreigners. But there are quite a few of those. Cost of living is quite low, and it is definitely an adventure here. I came to Xiamen three years ago after i got tired of a corporate American management position, and it has advanced a lot in that short time. People here tend to be more traditional, and many of them speak a local dialect exclusive to fujian and taiwan. (min lan hua) which i don't speak my self, but sounds terrible. The saving grace here is just how friendly the people are. I can go practically anywhere and ill meet someone with a story to tell, or to build "guangxi" which is pretty much Chinese business networking. Sadly there isn't too much to do on this island other then going to the local KTVs (private room karaoke singing) or bars. But this is a great east meets west kinda feeling. Girls in southern china tend to be more tanned, a bit shorter, and a bit more heavy then northern girls, and there are VERY strong traditional overtones here. A lot of the giggling at the word penis and such. A good place to visit to get a feel for real Chinese culture, without taking out the food, drinks and most of the things you are used to at home. Weather is very temperate here, hottish in the summer, and never getting below 10 or so C in the mid of winter. It is a bit windy here tho, and the occasional typhoon in the summer. Farly clean.
and lastly Shenzhen or Guangzhuo
Both of these are in the Guangzhou province, which is right next to hong kong, and have a very westernized feel to them. Shenzhen is undergoing rapid development and is touted as being the next Hong Kong. Guangzhou is older and more steeped in culture. Both of these southern china cities are about an hour away by train, and you can definitely feel the difference between them.
These are good places to live, but there is one city you must visit as a tourist at least at one time, and that is Hangzhou. Home of the famous XiHu (west lake) it is one of the most amazing natural sites you will see.
Please note i left sichuan and hunan out since those are the spicy food capitals of china, and most western palates could not accept that. But the girls there are AMAZINGLY hot. I think Ms China from the last 5 Ms Universe comps has come from one of these two places.
Apartments everywhere you can find, but its in your best interest to only go hunting with a Chinese people, since Foreigner tax is standard on almost everything, from taxis to any corner shop without marked prices. You can find girls who love foreigners anywhere, they will usually hang out near English training centers (good place to work if you've got a college degree and need work fast) or expat bars/events. I would advise taking the time to learn some basic Chinese phrases as it goes a long way to making it easier. Then again, I've known people who have lived here just as long as i have in china (going on 9 years) who still only know how to say "get me a beer" so it is totally possible to live without knowing Chinese, just not as easy.
Also, keep in mind, these cities i recommend are all in north south or east china, i know nothing about western china, but word on the street is its dirty, not nearly developed, and possibly downright dangerous for foreigners, with the exception of kunming, which sounds alot like a chinese florida.