I Left The U.S. For China — Here's How Much It Costs

Summary

Elise Lightyear, a 35-year-old former reality TV producer from New York, shares her life-changing move to China in 2019. Living in Chengdu after spending time in Beijing, Elise describes her improved lifestyle, low living costs, and work-life balance as a university teacher. Despite initial fears, she's embraced the challenges of being an expat, enjoying an affordable, comfortable life and making lasting connections with locals and other expats. Elise reflects on how her self-confidence has soared and the personal growth she's experienced while navigating cultural differences, aspiring to buy a home in Mexico with her savings.

Takeaways

• 😀 Elise Lightyear, a 35-year-old American, moved to China in 2019 for a better life and career change.
• 😀 Elise lived in New York City for 10 years, working in reality TV production but felt exhausted and unfulfilled.
• 😀 In China, Elise's lifestyle quality is better than her life in the US, with lower prices and a more comfortable environment.
• 😀 The cost of living in China is much cheaper than in the US, with a Michelin-recommended meal costing under $4.
• 😀 Elise currently lives in Chengdu, a city of over 20 million, and works as a university teacher, teaching English to freshman students.
• 😀 Her rent in Chengdu is only $278 per month after her job subsidizes half of the cost, and she enjoys a spacious three-bedroom apartment with modern amenities.
• 😀 Elise's monthly grocery expenses are as low as $75, and she spends about $150 a month eating out, with local meals costing only $2.
• 😀 Despite being paid a salary of $30,000 a year, Elise enjoys an upper-middle-class lifestyle in China, which would be considered poverty in the US.
• 😀 Elise feels completely safe in China as a woman of color, noting that the overall crime rate is low and her experience has been positive.
• 😀 Some challenges Elise faces in China include homesickness and being a foreigner in a homogenous society, which sometimes leads to feeling like an outsider.
• 😀 Elise plans to use her savings from living in China to buy a house, potentially a small home in Mexico, and pay off student loans, as the cost of living in the US is prohibitive for her.

Q & A

What motivated Elise Lightyear to leave New York City and move to China?

Elise felt exhausted after working 70-hour weeks in reality TV production, living paycheck to paycheck. She wanted a different life, and after a realization one day, she decided to leave New York and move to China for a change in lifestyle and career.

How has Elise's lifestyle in China compared to her life in the United States?

Elise describes her lifestyle in China as significantly better, with a higher quality of life and lower living costs. She enjoys modern cities, affordable meals, and an overall more comfortable life compared to her time in the U.S.

What kind of job does Elise have in China, and how does it compare to her previous job in New York?

Elise works as a university teacher in China, teaching freshman students English and essay writing. She works 18 hours a week, far less than her previous 70-hour workweeks in New York's reality TV production, providing her with a much better work-life balance.

What is Elise's experience with the cost of living in Chengdu, China?

Elise finds the cost of living in Chengdu very affordable. Her three-bedroom apartment downtown costs $556 per month, but her job covers half of that. Additionally, her subway rides cost around 28 cents, and groceries are inexpensive, with a typical monthly spending of $75.

What are some of the benefits Elise receives as an international teacher in China?

As an international teacher, Elise enjoys several benefits, including free healthcare, a subway fare allowance of $15 per month, and an annual flight allowance of $1,200. She also enjoys the support of her job in covering some of her living expenses.

How much does Elise save each month, and what does she do with the money?

Elise saves up to $1,000 per month, which she uses for various purposes, including paying down student loans and planning to buy a house in Mexico, as she cannot afford one in the U.S. yet.

What challenges does Elise face in China, especially as a foreigner?

Elise faces challenges related to being different in a homogenous society, often drawing attention for being a foreigner or a person of color. She also experiences homesickness and struggles with adjusting to the cultural and practical differences in daily life.

How does Elise describe the safety and general atmosphere in China, especially as a woman of color?

Elise feels very safe in China, stating that the country has low crime rates. She feels at ease as a woman of color, which contrasts with potential concerns she might have had before moving.

What has Elise learned about herself during her time living in China?

Living in China has greatly boosted Elise's self-confidence. She reflects on how her experiences have shaped her personal growth, making her more confident in handling challenges.

How does Elise's view of 'making it' compare to the famous New York saying?

Elise jokes that the famous saying 'If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere' should be re-applied to China, as she feels that overcoming the challenges of living and working in China has taught her resilience and confidence.