Teach English in China: Financial Snapshot
ESL teachers will want to consider the cost of renting apartments and buying food in China, as well as the banking system and airfare across the Pacific.
China: At a Glance
China: Living in China
China: Teaching ESL in China
China: Financial Snapshot
Expected Apartment Costs
Banking in China
Food Costs In China
Expected Apartment Costs
In some rare cases an ESL teacher may not have accommodations included with their new job. This may not be a concern for some and it usually means the teacher will make more money than those whom have their housing paid for. The price of housing is very affordable in China and that includes apartments in major Chinese cities. A nice apartment in a central location of a major city will cost roughly $1,000-a-month.
Banking in China
Setting up a bank account in China is a fairly easy process, as most banks will be happy to help out. In order to set up a bank account, bring a valid passport and current contact information. Banking in China is much like North America; there is 24-hour ATM access and many banks offer online banking to their customers. Most bank accounts do include an ATM card, but it is hard to get a credit card attached to a new bank account. In addition to going to the bank to set up an account, a bank is a great place to convert foreign currency into Chinese yuan.
Food Costs in China
Much of the grocery shopping in China for fresh produce and meat happens at the street market. This can be an exciting place for new English teachers in China as it is not uncommon to see an item with no price information on it; this is usually a ticket for some bartering. It is now fairly easy to find supermarkets in larger cities, but beware: although they may be more convenient, these stores can be much more expensive than the market.
Below are some examples of typical Chinese food prices.
1 kg of tomatoes
¥24.50
1 kg of raw chicken wings
¥29.50
1 kg of pork
¥4.00
Quart of strawberries
¥12.00
