Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The time when everything was cheap in China has passed, and if you intend to continue
enjoying the same quality of products or lifestyle that you have had in your home country,
then most likely you'll be paying similar prices here. While public transport and utilities are
amazingly cheap, rent and Western-style items can take hefty chunks out of the bank ac-
count. In Beijing, it really is up to you. If you want to save money and are willing to make
a few sacrifices by living more like a local, it's quite possible for an individual to get by on
the equivalent of about US$600 per month. If you want a European lifestyle with a driver
and live-in nanny, it's here. It will just be much easier if you're on a company package or
in a senior management position.
This said, issues relating to finance in Beijing can trigger anxiety attacks, even outright
tantrums and hours of ranting and railing. The key to reducing stress here is to understand
how to manage your money. That doesn't just mean knowing how to save it, but also about
how to spend it. Using banks in Beijing can be one of the most exasperating experiences
in Beijing, the kind of thing that makes you want to pack up your bags and go home. But
there are ladders, tunnels, and other paths by which to cross the many obstacles you may
perceive as a foreigner; you just have to put in a little effort to knowing what they are and
how to cross them.
