How to Choose the Perfect Chinese City to Live In

So, you’ve made the decision to teach English in China! Now, where in China do you want to go? You’ve probably considered Beijing or Shanghai, but have you thought about Guangzhou? What about Xi’an? Tianjin? Ningbo? Hohhot? Nanjing?

Moving to Beijing or Shanghai is like moving to New York in the USA, London in the UK, or Sydney in Australia. They are world cities, and while they suit some people perfectly, China offers many other options! Here are some factors to consider when deciding where you want to live and work.

The tier system in China is a unique practice that can be a little confusing or unusual for foreigners. In short, cities are grouped according to population size, economy, and other factors. The higher the tier, the larger the city. Knowing the tier of the cities you’re interested in can give you a quick idea of how they compare across several different aspects. For example, high-tier cities are likely to have a larger foreign population than lower-tier cities, as well as a generally higher education level. It’s not a definitive rating, but it’s a good place to start.

China is a vast country, which means it has a wide variety of climates. The Qin Mountains and Huai River are used to divide the country based on whether homes should have central heating. South of this line may still experience cold snaps in winter (and can be quite chilly indoors), but summers tend to be very hot. North of the line is much colder in winter (though at least there is indoor heating!), but summers are milder. Precipitation can also vary significantly depending on the location, partly due to the mountain ranges scattered across China.

On top of the weather, no Chinese city is completely pollution-free all year round, but some locations are better — or worse — than others. There are precautions you can take in any city, and China is working hard to reduce pollution. However, if you have asthma or other health concerns, it’s worth researching the air quality before you settle.

Salaries tend to be lower in smaller cities, but so are the costs of living — and since these cities still compete with larger ones for teachers, the pay difference might not be as significant as you’d expect, which could mean greater savings. If one of your goals for teaching in China is to save money or spend on activities like travelling, living in a smaller city may help your finances grow more quickly.

Generally speaking, the larger the city, the bigger the expat and/or English-speaking community. Of course, it’s easier to make friends with people who share your language, but it’s also important to consider the wider implications. If the foreign community isn’t large enough to support businesses catering to them, you may struggle to find imported groceries, international restaurants, or Western-style bars.

If this concerns you, be sure to choose a city with a large and diverse foreign population. Conversely, smaller cities offer more opportunities to learn and use Chinese, though, of course, you will still need to take the initiative.