Is the cost of living in China high?
We asked people how much they someone comfortably live on in China, they wrote...
"It does not take much but unless you marry a Chinese citizen you can only stay here for one year and then you have to leave and get a new visa. In order to get a new visa you have to go back to you home country. And, there is no guarantee China will give you a new visa. No reason they won't either," mentioned another expat when asked about moving to Nanning, Guangxi Provence, China.
"In Xi'An $1,600 a month easy including rent, $500 2brm, 2 ba apt. Hans (Think Heineken flavor) qt. size beer here .35 made by Ting Tao. We have eaten multi-course meals here for 4 people for under $30 with beer or Chinese vodka incl. at nice restaurants. Be aware that prices change dramatically for foreigners. I've gotten in the habit of staying out of sight while my wife shops at little kiosks (they're everywhere). Major dept stores are better, prices are marked. Carry a calculator to do exchange rate bec. no matter how smart you are, one slip or momentary lapse can cost you $. Shop around as prices from one street vendor to another may vary dramatically. And even though it may seem like a good deal by American standard prices, just shop around a lil bit first. And one imp. thing, walking away from a vendor does not mean that they will call after you and lower the price as in some other countries. It does not mean the first price they gave you is the lowest and a good price. That being said, we had someone call after us and lower the pricetowhat we thoguht was a good price only to find the same item later at less than half that price. hence, know your prices," commented one expat who made the move to Xi'an, China.

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Other Questions:
- What do I need to know before moving to China?
- How do I find a place to live in China?
- What is a typical expat home or apartment like in China?
- What is the average cost of housing in China?
- Should I buy or rent a home in China?
- What should I pack when moving to China?
- What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in China?
- Why do people move to China?
- What are healthcare services like in China?
- What are medical services in China like?
- What are typical rents in China?
- What appliances are typically included in a rental?
Is the cost of living in China high?
If you live in China, newcomers to China would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and serves as Co-President of Expat Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.