It has been my idea when I moved to China, to spend the rest of my life here.  That was about 20 months ago, and I still feel that way.  Of course, finding a lovable, truly exceptional Chinese Lady has reinforced my determination to be here.
But it is not only that.  At least where I live, everyone is very nice to me, and do look out for me.  At the bank, grocery store, local market, people already know me, and they are very kind to me.  Since I always go to the same vendor, they already know what I want, and no scalping or overcharging is done becsuse I am a steady customer, not a one time one.

As for the reasons to come here, my decision was based on many years of frequent visits.  Culture, traditions, way of life attracted me enough to consider it.  Cot of living, and business opportunities, sealed the deal, and after arrival, meeting my current GF completed the package.

Also, China is a very large country, many places of interest to visit.  And I am also doing so, when  my GF's daughter is on school vacation.  They never traveled outside Guangxi Province, and are quite thrill with the domestic trips we have taken so far, and looking forward to more in the near future, and so am I.

I couldn't do it. Most of the time, I like it here, and I could go off on the reasons. But I just can't stand the rock star treatment. I hate it more than anything, and I get more and more bitter about it with every passing month. I'll be quite happy to just be a normal person again.

Thanks for your response Happy expat. I am engaged to a Chinese girl, we both live in Australia but her parents still remain in China. Having frequently travelled to Asia and China more specifically, I have a penchant for Asian culture, and the general lifestyle. I have not yet lived there, but plan to move to Kunming in Yunnan Province in May.

We intend to stay for a year where I will study Chinese full time and will make a fair assesment after that.

If we are both happy there I will look at any feasible business opportunities. I am leaving my own company behind for this move, on the basis that I dont feel fulfilled with my life here in Australia and feel the need to reignite a sense of passion and adventure.

I highly value life experience and can no longer fathom driving down the same street for the rest of my life, not having given this a try.

I don't expect it be like back home and nor do I expect the move to be without challenges.

Her parents are very welcoming and have offered to treat me like a son, which is very encouraging, nor are they traditional strict parents since their daughter (my fiance' has) moved to Australia since she was 16 and has been very independent ever since. I think it's fair to assume I won't encounter the standard parental tyranny whilst there.

I truly believe I could re-invent myself anywhere, and despite blogs on here that talk about the idiosyncracies of China, I'm certain there are lots of things I would love too.

Anyway , thanks for sharing and I am looking forward to the randomness and challenges that will come with this move.

Yes and no.

Similar to yourself, David (sans gf, though I had one here and thought about it... sort of).

The main reason why not is precisely what you described - not fathoming driving down the same street for the rest of my life. Sure, China is a huge place, and there's lots of places one could visit, or move to.

But, to live exclusively in China, and only visit the rest of the world... nah, I don't think so!

I could make here for a couple of more years, but not for the rest of my life...

I know quite a few people who have made the big move. One of them even owns two homes, one city apartment and one house in the suburbs of Chongqing. Those who stay (in my experience) are here long-term due to their other half being Chinese. Best of luck to them!

Personally, this wouldn't be for me. The political system really gets to me, as does the racism and casual powers of the police. There are some great aspects about living in China day-to-day, but for me they are secondary to the overall feeling of disenfranchisement.

We moved here from the UK in May last year with no intention to return permanently to the UK.  We had been flitting backwards and forwards for the last five years. I do go back for two six week trips each year which is for work and whenever I am there I just look forward to coming home. I never expected China to be perfect, nowhere is. I did want somewhere where I could live what I consider to be a good life. To put that in context, we own our apartment so no mortgage or rent to worry about, we eat out whenever we want to, we go to the cinema quite frequently, we travel whenever we want to, we have made more friends here than we had back in the UK and I enjoy the summer weather here despite the humidity. Back in England things like restaurants and travel were things that financially we had to consider carefully before doing. 

I have a wife who I would not change for the world and a mother in law who treats me like her own son.  I have an extended family through my sister in law and her son together with my brother in law and his family, and we socialise regularly with them all. Am I happy here? Yes I am because for the first time in my life I am able to live the life I want, rather thatn the life that is dictated by circumstances. Even if long term things did not work out here I would not go back to the UK, I would look to another Asian country.

There are things that could drive me nuts if I let them, but I don't. I just let it flow. Life here is very different and has opened my eyes to both waht the UK is missing and also to the things that are better there. All in all though I do have a better life here.

I am in China for the long haul.  I have my wife and kids here and rarely think about moving back to my home country.

The opportunities here far outweigh the annoyances.  But as Tom said, if long term plans do not work out, I would not go back to the US.  I would just pick another Asian country to move to.

The opportunities and freedom here just make going back to the US seem not very worthwhile.

I'm already here a year longer than I wanted. I'm only staying cause suddenly I'm making the same wage I made back home, only here it's like making twice what I made back home. I had planned to go home when my contract is up in six months, and my wife is working on immigration. But, we both think maybe another year is good. I know it's impolite to talk money. But, we can save about $40,000 US a year here without really trying. I don't know many who can do that back home on a combined income of $70,000 a year (net). Back home we'd have a combined income of about $80,000 or a little more (depending on what she finds for work) and I bet we'd only be able to put away $25,000. A mortgage for a not so great place in Vancouver would be more than $2,000 a month. Plus probably $500 for phones, gas and power. Then add groceries and stuff....oye! Probable $4,000 a month just to live. Here, our combined expenses a month (before fun money) are about $2,000 CAD. As a young, married couple. It makes sense to grin and bear it four a couple more years. 

Do I think I could live here long term? Probably not. I mean, it's cool to be here as a young single girl, having the money and getting to travel in China and other countries. I always wanted to travel in Asia. I can only think of one situation where I'd be willing to stay: I'd marry a Chinese guy, and together we'd make enough money to have a comfortable lifestyle and still be able to go back to the US at least once a year to visit my family. However, what I'd like most in the future is when I have kids, I'd like to live in the US so my mom can see my children. I think it would break her heart if she couldn't. That time is a long way off though, so I might change my mind.