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Posts: 2531

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Q: If you could go back and choose another destination than China, would you?

Personally, I wouldn't because I have learned and built up so much from my time in China. 

 

As I mentioned commonly, yes... China itself can be an extreme test on the patience BUT at least it does give us

a decent amount of free time and pretty much removes all financial worries so that you have enough time to figure yourself out. 

 

If I didn't go to China, I think I would have tried Thailand, South Korea or Taiwan. 

 

 

9 years 34 weeks ago in  Lifestyle - China

 
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Posts: 916

Shifu

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I would have gone to Australia back then but times were different and I wasn't ready to let go what I had back home. When I decided to stay on in China it was because I had nothing else to lose back home. Basically there wasn't anything back home to stay on so, China it was and I haven't looked back since. Perhaps I fit in here easier than most people because I am of Chinese decent and I speak the language plus a few of their dialects. You are right that it gives me more time and financial independence. Maybe deep in my heart I should've taken this route earlier. There were times I felt like going back but each time I remembered that there isn't anything worthwhile for me to go back to. I like the lifestyle here, the chaos, etc. Guess I'll be here for a while. 

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9 years 34 weeks ago
 
Posts: 702

Shifu

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its a very complicated situation...

If you are getting a lot of troubles but also a lot of money...I dont think any sensible person will go to another place where he is trouble free and also money free...

I would like to stay in China if I am satisfied financially. But hell...they need native speakers

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9 years 34 weeks ago
 
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It was Nanjing or the mountains of Afghanistan. As much as I loved running around with a machine gun, I'm oretty sure I made the right decision..

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9 years 34 weeks ago
 
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Taiwan for sure. 

 

When I first came to asia and was searching for a job.  It was between a place in taipei, and wuhan.  I had never been to asia before other than the beaches of thailand. So it didnt really make any difference to me.  

 

Man, I couldnt have fucked up a 50/50 pick any worse if I was in Vegas. 

 

Oh well, it led me to here and now, so I guess I am happy with it. But I did go to taipei last year and holy hell did I pick wrong.  

 

Still time, still time

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9 years 34 weeks ago
 
Posts: 156

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Yes very much so. I have travelled extensively 42 countries. 7 years in China is way to long. However I'm not too old to start a new, I still have my home in York UK and a 2nd in Perigueux France  only reason being is my other half refuses to relocate.  Far better more relaxing countries than China, for the foreigner there is little to offer, too much bureaucracy, to many restrictions, paper pushing and filthy air, beside China is not a cheap place to reside. In China you are always a foreigner.

Robk:

Very true. You can never really make China a home. 

 

Great stop-over point... and it has its positive aspects but it can never really feel like home. Not for foreigners that appear different. 

9 years 34 weeks ago
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9 years 34 weeks ago
 
Posts: 112

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Figuring yourself out doesn't only require time.  It also requires health, peace, and a mind.  Can China give you all that?

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9 years 34 weeks ago
 
Posts: 458

Shifu

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Absolutely. I would have done JETS in Japan. I kick myself for choosing China whenever I think about it. I am planning my escape next year, but I feel that even the last two years that I have spent in this shot hole country have trapped me in so many ways. Even with the language-I've invested so much time and effort into learning it, and I feel that would be wasted if I did not continue to do so. Still, what would I so with those skills? I never want to live on china again, and I definitely so not want to so business with them!.

Robk:

Yeah, I invested a lot into the language as well. I think up to the point of general conversation is enough. No point going any further like up to a business/technical level why? 

 

Because it doesn't matter. Chinese never mean what they say and are always vague anyway... even if you can speak it at that level they try to confuse you on purpose anyway lol.

 

Learn Chinese enough to help you with life in China but don't invest too much into it unless you love it. English is here to stay and will only continue to grow. 

9 years 34 weeks ago
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9 years 34 weeks ago
 
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'Go back' = I'm OK, but I'm looking at Russia now.

However, their laws are similar to Japan, Taiwan, S. Korea and others, where only Native English passport holder can get legal teaching job, what makes me 'illegal' with my book.

Probably, I'll try Spain, Portugal or Italy as next. 

Robk:

I think I would give Russia a miss until the conflict thing blows over.

9 years 34 weeks ago
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icnif77:

Not Ukraine, Russia! I got overexited last August, when following US ability to 'stop' the world to get hands on 'Up-yours'.

9 years 34 weeks ago
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9 years 34 weeks ago
 
Posts: 4495

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yes.  I left a good life in Isan to come here, which was dumb, but perhaps unavoidable (leave me alone about the 'wheel'). If I had it to do over again I would have gone to Myanmar or Laos, perhaps Cambodia.

 

In my experience chiner is boring/dry compared to SE Asia.

Robk:

I agree that the "mystery" of China dries up after a year or so and other SE countries are far more interesting. 

 

They still have their culture and they are MUCH happier to have tourists and foreigners visiting their country. That's why I will be investing in the Philippines for a second residence. It just felt much nicer to walk around and not be gawked at, whispered about and people were very polite. 

 

Yes, sir. Yes, ma'am... not kan kan, shi yi ge wai guo ren! LAO WAI! 

9 years 34 weeks ago
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diverdude1:

ah.... good ol' Phil.   My gal and I dream of owning a small Hostel/Cafe somewhere on Palawan (even though she says Bohol sometimes). 

9 years 34 weeks ago
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9 years 34 weeks ago
 
Posts: 82

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Yes, I would choose another country for sure. Some place like Thailand would be cool from a night life point of view. This country is far too conservative, and just plain boring.

TedDBayer:

The curfews over but Thailand may still have problems to come. You haven't learned where to have fun in China, to be honest I'd like to try rural next time tho.

9 years 34 weeks ago
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timjames:

Don't try the country Ted, the stupidity here is so thick, it's horrible. Do what you want, but I just wanted to warn you, it's lame,boring, and frustrating. You have been warned.

9 years 18 weeks ago
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9 years 34 weeks ago
 
Posts: 2381

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Yes, we were torn between China, Japan and Korea. Should have stuck it out a little longer where we were and held out for Japan (which was the most expensive option upfront). MrA would have coped much better in Japan. 

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9 years 34 weeks ago
 
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I'm still trying to figure out if there is a better place, despite some negatives I was always very happy in China. I didn't see enough of Thailand, don't see it as a place to be right now, Philippines has better weather, most people are nice, more English spoken, women can be so much nicer than Chinese women, but the slums, have to live in a gated community, pick pockets are gross especially with kids. I compared notes with someone here, we both got robbed big time. Maybe the grass seems better some place else. Aren't we all looking for a paradise that costs next to nothing to live in, you get what you pay for. 

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9 years 34 weeks ago
 
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Answer of the DayMORE >>
A:  "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "S
A: "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "Shenzhen agent can connect you with an employer, who's authorized to hire waigouren ... and can sponsor Z visa." It's not like every 10th person you meet in Shenzhen's hood can sponsor work visa ...  The only way to change from student to labourer visa is just a regular way by: 1. Finding an employer, who'll apply for an Invitation letter; 2. Exit China and apply for Z visa in your home country's Chinese embassy; 3. Enter China in 30-days after Z visa was stamped into your travelling instrument ...As I am aware, you won't be able to switch to Working permit by remaining in China....,so make ready for a return to your home .... -- icnif77