Working in China

Working in China is perhaps a nicely hidden secret many expats are happy to share.  The work hours are usualy pretty short, low stress work environment, very good pay and everything is cheap it's actually hard to spend more than $500 per month without trying or making majore purposes.

The people in China
Overall the people in China are quite friendly and curious to meet with foreigners.  Bear in mind that because foreign teachers make two to five times the salaries of the locals, foreigners sort of have a celebrity status.  Remember to be courteous to the locals and observe the laws of the land. 

Red envelopes :)
RED ENVELOPES are great if you've never encountered them.  It is cultural for the school to give red envelopes for special days, teacher's day, birthday's, etc.  So what is a RED ENVELOPE?  It's just that, a red envelope filled with...Cash.  Enjoy that custom when you get the chance!

Public Schools
Typical work hours in public schools are only 20 hours per week with no office hours.
So Basicaly it's a half time job with pay at about 75% of the full time jobs and also have free accomodations.
Pay for rookie teachers starts around $1,500 (10,000 RMB) and tops out around $2,250 (15,000 RMB per month).  Most rookie teachers start their first contract around 10-12K RMB per month until they have a year or two experience and then move to higher paying jobs..15,000+ RMB per month.

Private schools
Private institutions will have a 30-40 hour work week and obviously pay more than the public schools.
Private school pay normally start around the same range of $1,500-$1,800 per month for rookie teachers.
For teachers with at least two years experience and a TEFL or CELTA, Pay range starts about $1,800-$2,500.
Those with more experience, government teaching licenses and degrees in education, a Master's degree obviously command higher salaries.

Travel in China
Travel is extremely cheap in China and to neighboring countries.  Typical round trip airfares are about $100-$200 dollars.  Trains and buses are even cheaper.  And China is huge filled with beautiful nature and simultaneously densely populated cities.

Shopping 
China has a great merchandising culture and usually everything is on sale.  Hong Kong is also a shopping mecca that is a short flight away and you find English speaking culture everywhere.

Food
Western cuisine is very popular in China and many Western restaraunt chains are in China, both fast food, casual and fine dining.

Housing
Apartments are in China are wonderfully...large.  In major cities a two bedroom apartment costs only about $250 a month in the case you choose a housing allowance instead of school provided accomodations.  Electric and water bills are usually less than $50 per month.  If you do choose to rent your own apartment, remember rent is paid in three month increments plus a one month deposit, so be prepared to pay 4X rent when you move in.  Some landlords will be willing to let you move in for less though.

Medical
Medical coverage is provided by employers.  Medicine itself is, like everything else in China, very cheap.
Medical check once you arrive at your school is very basic check for drug/alcohol abuse, tuberculosis, hearing, eye sight. Very basic one hour medical exam.

Traffic
Be careful to look both ways not just when crossing the street.  Vehicle and electric bike ownership are still a bit new to the locals and their driving practices have room to improve.  The little Ebikes are almost silent so remember to be careful crossing the streets and on the sidewalks.