Millhouse

Just got back... awesome place - I am jealous of you guys living there. (although was a bit chilly)

Does anyone have a sense of salaries & cost of living vs. UAE? Big ticket items in the UAE are schooling & housing. Currently, in Dubai we pay around 12k USD / annum for schooling and 45k USD/annum for a 3500sqft. villa with shared access to a pool.

I assume that cars are expensive in Beijing.

How would this compare to Beijing?

Cheers, Millhouse

Jim Smith

Like you I am here in Dxb, but for a bit longer, 26 years! However my wife comes from Tianjin and I have to say I enjoy China very much!! We have a home in the TEDA area (The Jebel Ali area of Tianjin), and I enjoy living there. As for working there and being involved in schooling etc I am not familiar with the costs. We own a 3 bed flat which is big by Dxb standards. But day to day living is pretty reasonable and our area is pretty Westernisied where you perhaps need it from time to time! Good pubs, and you can get western food easily if you so wish! This doesn't bother me but for sure if the need arises it can be vanquished easily! Certainly if I were younger I would like to give it a go work wise!
As for cars etc, I have found the local transport systems very good, especially the CRH (Fast) trains and would probably pass on owning a car. Also the driving is a little erratic to say the least!. In Sept we visited Harbin, flew there and came back by CRH. It took 9 hours but was very comfortable and gave a great view of the countryside! Farming all the way! Hospital facilites very good and cheap also!

Millhouse

Thanks Jim. Pity the only response so far is from a Dubai resident. I guess all the Beijingers are too busy having fun to sod around with a forum.

Jim Smith

I haven't seen too many Beijing posters here!

uk_vette

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Hi Jim, local Beijing transport is probably the best in the world bar none.
If your going to live in Beijing, then you really don't want a car.

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We have been to Harbin many times, some times on the CRH, some times on the overnight soft sleeper.
I would really suggest train travel over air travel.
Just take soft sleeper, and enjoy.

Did you go by any chance to the Ice and Snow festival in Harbin, or perhaps to the Harbin Tiger park?

'vette

Jim Smith

No, we were there in Sept. One night down to Zero C but otherwise fine. Yes we went to the Tiger setup, quite impressive, but bit of a stir when a few live chickens were puchased (not by me!) and thrown in!

Yes agree about transport/having a car! The same goes for TEDA/Tianjin where we have a home. It just doesnt seem worth having a car when local transport is so regular and cheap. Plus there are about 10 pubs within comfortable walking distance!

PriMarina

Hi there!
I am too often in Beijing, but even for me, living in Russia, this place seemed pretty dirty ... It's good to visit it for a while, but not live ...

uk_vette

Hi Jim,

Did you get some pic's like these?


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Vette

bakedbean

Good pics Vette

Jim Smith

We got some good pics also, but they seemed more keen on sleeping than moving around much!