mond5004
American expat in China
Forum posts
16
About me
American
Lives in Shanghai, Shanghai Shi
Speaks English (fluent) Norwegian (read/conversational)
Registration: 26 June 2017
Activity
FORMER FRENCH CONCESSION? by Dan77
Hi everyone! As I should probably move to shanghai in October, and I was wondering if to live in the FFC is the best area for single expat like me... (don't need to have a school....) I checked already and seen that Metro Line 1 will bring me ...
For groceries, YiHaoDian (YHD) has an English app for expats. There is also the slightly more expensive Epermarket. But seriously, learn the numbers in Chinese and make friends with your local butcher, egg lady, fruit and veg lady at a wet market ... Read More
What are the dos and don'ts of finding a job in China? by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Where is the best place to start when looking for a job in China? Is it better to job-hunt by directly contacting the company of your interest, or should job-seekers rely on a recruitment agency, for example? Are there any ...
I have worked several jobs in China. The first was just an offer that came out of the blue, bit the rest are ones I specifically hunted for. In the education industry, training schools are the easiest to get into. They have high turnover rates and ... Read More
FORMER FRENCH CONCESSION? by Dan77
Hi everyone! As I should probably move to shanghai in October, and I was wondering if to live in the FFC is the best area for single expat like me... (don't need to have a school....) I checked already and seen that Metro Line 1 will bring me ...
Basic mandarin phrases are easy. And they will really help. I found that my coworkers want to improve their English skills at the same time, so we trade phrases back and forth. Read More
"EXTRA HOUSING COSTS" by Dan77
Hello! I am considering in this moment an offer in Shanghai and I have few questions about the""EXTRA HOUSING COSTS" What I'd like to know is how much these costs (electricity/water/gas/internet provider...) I will have on top ...
Indeed. Electricity and water are heavily subsidised by the government. That keeps costs low. Read More
FORMER FRENCH CONCESSION? by Dan77
Hi everyone! As I should probably move to shanghai in October, and I was wondering if to live in the FFC is the best area for single expat like me... (don't need to have a school....) I checked already and seen that Metro Line 1 will bring me ...
I hate to be the one to say this, but if you're going to live in China, you should learn some basic mandarin to make your life easier (your address, numbers, food, and greetings are a good start). As for accessibility, this is Shanghai. It has ... Read More
Costs of cellphone plans in Shanghai by renemndz
Hello, Which is the best mobile company and what are the average costs (and what includes) of mobile plans in Shanghai ?
For accessibility nation wide, China Mobile has the best network coverage. It will work on 3g or 4g in villages, small towns and big cities. However, the network can become congested and data can slow down. If you're not planning on traveling ... Read More
FORMER FRENCH CONCESSION? by Dan77
Hi everyone! As I should probably move to shanghai in October, and I was wondering if to live in the FFC is the best area for single expat like me... (don't need to have a school....) I checked already and seen that Metro Line 1 will bring me ...
FFC is one of the most expensive areas to live in Shanghai. A lane house studio flat will run about 5500-6500RMB in rent. Expect that to double if you want a larger place with separate bedrooms. Jing'an, Changning, West Nanjing road, and ... Read More
"EXTRA HOUSING COSTS" by Dan77
Hello! I am considering in this moment an offer in Shanghai and I have few questions about the""EXTRA HOUSING COSTS" What I'd like to know is how much these costs (electricity/water/gas/internet provider...) I will have on top ...
Exactly. The cost for a one year subscription is cheaper in the long run and you can use it as much as you need to. As for VPN service, I use a digital VPN (VPN app) rather than a VPN router. It works just as well. Mine is ExpressVPN, but there ... Read More
"CHINESE CONTRACT RULES" by Dan77
Hi fellow members! I am considering in this moment an offer in Shanghai and I have few questions about "CHINESE CONTRACT RULES". Is it true that in all Chinese contracts, the employer can interrupt the employee's relationship at any ...
Correct. You can't remove the Chinese words from the contract. In the event of a legal dispute, the Chinese version takes precedence over the English version. Like I said, the majority of Chinese companies will treat you very well. They ... Read More
"EXTRA HOUSING COSTS" by Dan77
Hello! I am considering in this moment an offer in Shanghai and I have few questions about the""EXTRA HOUSING COSTS" What I'd like to know is how much these costs (electricity/water/gas/internet provider...) I will have on top ...
Everyone has a Wi-Fi router. If you have the Wi-Fi router password,you can get on the internet. 50mbps is the data speed. I chose to pay for a 1year package and just renew it every 12 months. It is easier than remembering to pay monthly ... Read More
"CHINESE CONTRACT RULES" by Dan77
Hi fellow members! I am considering in this moment an offer in Shanghai and I have few questions about "CHINESE CONTRACT RULES". Is it true that in all Chinese contracts, the employer can interrupt the employee's relationship at any ...
To answer your question about 30 days notice, yes. They can cancel your contact without warning. Most reputable businesses will not do this unless you did something against the rules. To protect yourself, make sure the Chinese version of the ... Read More
"EXTRA HOUSING COSTS" by Dan77
Hello! I am considering in this moment an offer in Shanghai and I have few questions about the""EXTRA HOUSING COSTS" What I'd like to know is how much these costs (electricity/water/gas/internet provider...) I will have on top ...
My bills for a 100sq. meter flat are this: Summer: Electric--150-200/month (maybe 300 if it's VERY warm) Water--60-100/ 3 months Gas--60/month Winter: Electric--600/month (in very cold months) Water--60-100/ 3 months Gas--60/month I pay ... Read More
"HEALTH INSURANCE?" by Dan77
Hello! I am considering in this moment an offer in Shanghai and I have few questions about "health insurance" Unfortunately it's something that the company will not take in charge... ( it's part of the negotiation of a full ...
Most employers in China offer health care coverage as part of the employment package. Most industries are actually required to offer at least basic medical insurance. However, if your job is not offering health care coverage, you can shop around. ... Read More
Recommended Residential Districts for English speaking expats please by robert_james
Hi, I'm hoping to move to Shanghai soon and am interested to know about and understand the different residential districts within the city. I hope to be working around Nanjing Road area Jing'an. What residential districts are recommended for ...
Well, rent in the jing'an, Changning, and People's Square areas is a bit steep. Expect a loft 40m^2 and within 5 minutes of a metro station to be above 6000 RMB/ month. You can find cheap places, but they are rare. My place is near West ... Read More
Festivals in China by Priscilla
Hello everyone, What are the main festivals in China? Are there art, food, music, film, or other festivals expats can attend and participate in? When do the festivals take place? How long does each festival usually last? What activities go ...
There are two major holiday weeks in China. They are colloquially known as "golden weeks." One is the week surrounding the October 3rd National Day holiday. The other is the Lunar New Year holiday (start of the new lunar calendar). These ... Read More