Why I Stayed in China for 16 Years (And Why I’m Leaving)

Summary

After 16 years in China, John reflects on his journey from a young, adventurous foreigner to a more mature, frustrated expat. While he once thrived in China's opportunities, recent annoyances like littering and reckless behavior have made him reconsider his future. Despite loving the culture, he feels the excitement has worn off. John plans to leave China in 2026, move to the Philippines, and explore new adventures across Asia. His story is a reminder that personal growth often involves embracing change, even when it means stepping into the unknown.

Takeaways

• 😀 John has been living in China for 16 years, after unsuccessful attempts in the Philippines.
• 😀 Initially, John had no education or skills but managed to self-fund his education through the money he earned in China.
• 😀 Over the years, John worked in various roles, including a teacher, principal, business owner, and in the fitness industry.
• 😀 The cost of living in China was low, making it affordable for John to start businesses and save money.
• 😀 John gradually learned Chinese and embraced the culture, which made his experience in China more interesting and exciting.
• 😀 After the COVID-19 pandemic, both China and John himself started to change rapidly, leading to frustrations with some aspects of life in China.
• 😀 John has become increasingly bothered by behaviors like littering, public spitting, and poor traffic etiquette, which he hadn't noticed as much before.
• 😀 While some of these behaviors are common in many places, John feels that after living in China for so long, they have started to annoy him.
• 😀 John plans to leave China and move to the Philippines in early 2026, seeking a change and a new start after many years of living abroad.
• 😀 He is planning to establish a home base in the Philippines, ideally near a major airport, to travel around Asia while staying connected to his kids.
• 😀 Despite prior failures in the Philippines, John is determined to give it another try, recognizing that the need for change is universal, whether in China or elsewhere.

Q & A

Why did John move to China in the first place?

John moved to China after unsuccessful attempts to live in the Philippines. He faced financial difficulties during his stays there, leading him to return home. He made a third attempt to live abroad, this time in China, and has been there for 16 years.

How has John’s experience in China shaped his personal growth?

John's experience in China helped him mature from a wild, immature young man into an adult. He describes China as a place where he grew professionally and personally, learning the language and culture over time.

What kind of jobs did John do when he first arrived in China?

When John first arrived in China, he had no formal education and did manual labor jobs. He later moved into education, working in various positions such as kindergarten teacher, director, and eventually principal.

What made John stay in China for so long?

John stayed in China for so long due to the opportunities it provided, particularly in terms of affordable living costs, cheap business start-up costs, and the ability to save money while working in various jobs, including starting his own businesses.

How did John’s perspective on China change over time?

Over time, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, John became increasingly frustrated with small aspects of Chinese society, such as littering, spitting, and reckless behavior on the roads. These things, which once didn’t bother him, became increasingly annoying as he lived in China longer.

What does John find frustrating about Chinese society now?

John is frustrated by the frequent littering, spitting in public places, and reckless behavior, like people riding e-bikes in the wrong direction or ignoring traffic lights. He used to overlook these behaviors, but now they seem to be a source of irritation.

Is John blaming China for his frustrations?

No, John doesn’t see it as a China-specific problem. He acknowledges that such issues may be present in many countries and believes that his frustration is more about his personal changes and the monotony of living in one place for so long.

Why does John feel the need to leave China?

John feels that after living in China for 16 years, the excitement and novelty have worn off. He has become bored with the daily routine and is looking for new experiences. Additionally, his frustrations with the culture and society have contributed to his decision to leave.

Where does John plan to go after leaving China?

John plans to move to the Philippines, where he has family and children. He intends to spend time there while also exploring other places in Asia like Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan, and Korea, before returning to the Philippines to establish a base.

What is John’s biggest concern about leaving China and moving to the Philippines?

John's biggest concern is whether his third attempt at living in the Philippines will be successful. He had failed twice before, and he is uncertain whether this time will be different. However, he feels ready to try again despite his previous failures.