Retire in China

"Life for retirees in China can be an exciting experience. With so many cultural and historical attractions, opportunities for exploration abound. Chinese culture offers a wide variety of theater and music performances, as well as interesting food and art. The Chinese countryside provides many activities for those looking for recreational activities, such as hiking, biking, fishing and camping. Some cities also offer water-skiing, cycling and golfing opportunities. There is also a vibrant expat community in many cities with activities to enjoy and new friends to meet. For those looking for nightlife, there are many bars, clubs, and lounges to explore, as well as traditional Chinese karaoke bars," said a person in China.

"Yes to all of the above, although at my age i will not be frequenting the night clubs here too often. My wife did attend one very exclusive one with my Chinese step-son and his friends and other family members. Very exciting and much cheaper than most American clubs or ordinary bars for that matter. We spent ab. $80 U.S. on 8 of us and had a great time. very safe with helmeted guards, pat downs and metal detectors. 12 guards inside and out and a very posh setting. Travel is cheap either by bus .15 or taxi ab. .80 depending on how far and if you have a Chinese friend to negotiate price-for taxi that is-bus will be same price for all. TerraCotta Army nearby. One big savings, don't hire a translator as every sign inside is in English and Chinese. Bring your own water and snack as most of the kiosks are overpriced but still cheap by U.S. standards," remarked one retiree in Xi'an.

"If you have favorite items like the 8 packs of lint remover rollers I buy at Costco, buy, but 10 of them. These were such a big hit with my Chinese relatives that I have given all of mine away. They don't have them here and I'll be bring back a resupply when I make a return trip to USA shortly. Stock up on meds if you take any. Stock up on allergy meds and eye washes as Xi'an at least, is windy at times. My wife and I did buy a few packages of babywipes from the 99 cent store and they have been very useful in our travels in cleaning our hands," remarked one retiree in Xi'an.

"Walmart is here but don't think it is like a Walmart in the USA. Yes it sells clothing, food, some furniture and electronics but catering to Chinese. The thing I miss the most is hot dogs, good hamburgers (they have MacDonald's but they were bad in the states and beef patties are rare, their filet of fish is good). Keep in mind Chinese food in America is NOTHING like Chinese food in China. Not even close. Have never seen an egg roll here. Sweet and sour anything doesn't exist. Forget a good steak, doesn't exist. Pizza Hut does serve a good pizza and if you can find a Subway Sandwich shop they are FANTASTIC for an American craving USA food," said a retiree who moved to Nanning, Guangxi Provence, China.

"One of the most challenging aspects of retiring in China is the language barrier, as English is not widely spoken. Additionally, those settling in China after retirement may find it difficult to understand and navigate the paperwork and bureaucracy native to the country. Limited access to healthcare is also a concern for retirees, as some services may be blocked for foreign citizens. Additionally, the restrictions on living and working for expats, as well as property restrictions, can make it difficult for those who wish to stay in the country for an extended period of time. Finally, the cost of living, especially for basic necessities and luxury items, may prove costly to those on a fixed income," said one retiree in China.

"China is more like the USA than a lot of Americans who have never been here would believe. Capitalism is rampant, so is hard work. Crime is very low. The people are very friendly and helpful. The police have helped my several times to find where I want to go, even telling me to follow them and they went out of their way to take me to the place I wanted to go. Rarely been ripped off buying things, but then I do my homework first and figure out what I should spend and I always can just walk away. Taxis are metered. No tipping. Buses are $0.15 if un air-conditioned and $0.30 if air-conditioned and that can take you across Nanning. A medium size city of just about 6 million! When I first came here I rented a four bedroom apartment of about 1,400 sq feet, fully furnished, with Internet hookup, on the top floor of a 6 year old building (18th floor) for 1,900 yuan or about $315USD, add another 600yuan (about $100USD) for utilities," said a person in Nanning, Guangxi Provence.

"One of the most rewarding aspects of retiring in China is the almost endless list of wonderful experiences on offer. From ancient mountains and amazing food to cultural sites and modern cities, there is something for everyone. Another rewarding aspect of retiring in China is the opportunity to connect with the rich history and culture of the nation. Getting to know the local language, customs and traditions is a wonderful way to spend retirement years. Retiring in China also offers the chance to immerse oneself in a diverse and vibrant range of modern lifestyles, with people from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds living side by side. Finally, the cost of living in China is low compared to other countries, which can provide fresh retirees with more funds to enjoy their golden years," remarked one retiree in China.

"It is difficult unless you have someone who speaks English go with you to explain the problem. After that it is easy. I have been three time to the hospital. Once to have a mole removed from my face directly in front of my ear under my side burns (so to speak) and have it biopsied. about 1,200 yuan including anti-biotics. or about $200. Another time was for an eye infection about 200-300 yuan for medicine (office visits are almost free) and to have a new prescription for my eyeglasses which had to be done at the hospital. I paid $0.50 for the exam (not to sure if they meant to charge more, they wanted me to buy the glasses there but they wanted 3,500 yuan about $581 USD (I do need progressive lenses and am very far sighted (+7 to +9 diopter correction I can barely make out the letters at the top of the eyechart!) I said "No way" and left. I later bought them for 1,028 yuan ($170USD). The hospital go out of there way to set me up with doctors that have some English ability and in one case they called in someone like an orderly who had been to America for college and was very good at English and he was i big help. Prescription medication is very expensive. I have diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol for $30USD I got my medicine in the USA for 90 days here it runs about 400 yuan for 30 days or about $66USD," explained a retiree in Nanning, Guangxi Provence.

"Haven't really found any but I know there are expats teaching at Xiangfan University as well as Expats teaching at various English Learning Centers," said one retiree in Xiangfan.

"Expats in China often join language exchange clubs and international schools, which can offer social activities and events for their members. Expats may also join casual meetups focused on hobbies or interests such as travel, yoga, or film. The popular social media app WeChat is also a great way to connect with the expat community and make new friends. Additionally, expats can join online forums such as Internations, attend embassy receptions, or take advantage of the city's nightlife and bar scene," commented one retiree living in China.

"It's a relatively small English-speaking expat community. There are clubs to join, but to meet others all you have to do is go to The Broadway, a Western restaurant in town. Every expat in the city ends up there at some time or another. For lack of another, it is our community center," explained one retiree living in Tianjin.

"Living in China as an expat or digital nomad can be incredibly rewarding and enjoyable. It is a country with a rich culture and countless attractions, has a diverse and vibrant nightlife, and offers opportunities to explore everything from bustling cities to tranquil countryside. While much of Chinese culture may be unfamiliar to foreigners, many expats find that they quickly adapt to the language, cuisine, and lifestyle. The cost of living in many cities is relatively low, and expats may find it relatively easy to find short-term and long-term accommodation. The mobile internet is often reliable, and high-speed internet access is now available in many cities. Additionally, business visas for digital nomads have significantly simplified the process for those wishing to work remotely in the country," remarked one retiree in China.

"From what I have seen people usually eat dinner at small restaurants. It was quite busy the other night when I met up with some of my students (I work at an English Learning Center) for dinner. People usually go for dinner around 7PM. People also seem to socialize a lot in the morning and evenings. I live near People's Square (Renmin GuangChang) and there are people practicing Martial Arts and Dancing in the morning and people dancing in the evening. Big organized dancing, sometimes including elements of Martial Arts. This same activity goes on at smaller parks and squares around town as well," said a retiree who moved to Xiangfan, China.

"Before retiring in China, expats should ensure that they understand applicable visa requirements for long-term residency and have the correct documents in order. It is also important to learn about the language and culture of the country as well as insurance for health and other risks, and the availability of bank accounts and international investments. Additionally, expats should research the local cost of living to determine what expenses are involved in living in China. Furthermore, expats must also be aware of any tax liabilities associated with retiring in the country," said one retiree in living in China.

"Lousy weather - cold, windy winters and very polluted. Hot sticky summers. Little to do aside from eating out and shopping malls. However, there is an airport close by and a train station - and Beijing is 2 hours away," explained a retiree in Tianjin.

"Make friends with the locals. Visit Xiangfan Museum. Make sure your cab driver uses the meter. If you are large sized like me make sure you have enough shoes and clothing as it's very hard to find otherwise. I wear a size 48 here (which is size 13 US ) and most shoes here stop at size 44. I needed some new shirts and had to have them specially made which is very expensive in Chinese RMB. Some of the Restuarants have picture menus so if you don't speak/read Chinese you can point to what you want. I recommend learning at least some Chinese before coming here, as it will be extremely helpful," explained one retiree living in Xiangfan.

"The people are fantastic when they aren't spitting and crowding onto elevators before letting you get off of one. The opportunities for travel and shopping are incredible. And it's about as exotic a place as there is. But it's lonely at times. And other than shopping and getting out of town, there's little else to do," said one member in Tianjin.

"In China, residents enjoy a variety of recreational facilities, such as parks, sports fields, swimming pools, and fitness centers. Parks are a popular destination for people to relax and enjoy the outdoors, while sports fields provide a place for people to play soccer, basketball, and other sports. Swimming pools are also popular, and many cities have public pools that are open to the public. Fitness centers are also available, offering a variety of exercise equipment and classes. Additionally, many cities have movie theaters, shopping malls, and other entertainment venues," said one person who retired in China.

"People living in China typically buy groceries and do other shopping at local markets, supermarkets, convenience stores, and online stores. Many people also shop at specialty stores for items such as fresh produce, meat, and seafood. Additionally, people may visit department stores, shopping malls, and street vendors for a variety of items," explained one retiree living in China.