A Life-Changing Move to China
A young woman who made the decision to leave the UK and live in China has shared how this move has drastically changed her financial situation and lifestyle. Emily Severn, a 24-year-old from Nottingham, now resides in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, where she teaches English in both kindergarten and junior high schools. She works just 13 hours a week, earning £20 per hour, which allows her to save a significant amount of money each month.
Emily moved to China in June 2024, traveling over 5,000 miles from her home in the UK. The cost of living in China is significantly lower than in the UK, and she has noticed a major difference in her expenses. For instance, her weekly food shop costs only £10, compared to £20 in the UK. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the UK was £850 per month, while in China, it’s about £323. Additionally, her utility bills are much cheaper in China, with electricity costing around £10.15 per month compared to £37 in the UK.
Financial Savings and Lifestyle Changes
Emily highlights that her overall monthly savings amount to £694. This includes reduced costs for rent, utilities, food, and social activities. In the UK, she spent around £850 a month on living expenses, but in China, she spends just £336. She also mentions that there is a better work-life balance in China, as she only works 13 hours a week, compared to the average 40-hour workweek in the UK.
In addition to financial benefits, Emily enjoys a more active lifestyle in China. She often walks through large parks, such as a wetland park near her home, which is massive and takes around three hours to explore. She averages over 10,000 steps daily, a stark contrast to her previous routine in the UK, where she rarely exceeded 7,000 steps.
Cultural and Social Experiences
Living in Suzhou has given Emily a unique cultural experience. She enjoys the vibrant social life, including light shows and concerts in the parks during the summer. The city offers a variety of free attractions, such as water towns like Mudu, Nanxun, and Zhouzhuang, where entry fees are as low as £1. She spends much of her time exploring these areas and enjoying the local culture.
Emily also values the strong sense of family in Chinese society. She notes that people place a high importance on family, which has influenced her perspective on relationships and personal connections.
Future Plans and Reflections
Despite loving life in Suzhou, Emily acknowledges that she might return to the UK in the future. She mentions that the desire to be close to family is a significant factor in her decision. She met her boyfriend, Wei, while studying for her master's degree in Journalism, and they both moved to China together after securing jobs in the area.
Emily’s experience highlights the benefits of living in a country with a lower cost of living and a different cultural environment. She believes that moving to China has been a life-changing decision, offering her financial freedom, a more active lifestyle, and new opportunities for personal growth.
Summary of Monthly Expenses
Here is a breakdown of the monthly expenses in the UK compared to China:
- Rent for one-bed apartment:
- UK: £850
-
China: £323
-
Bills:
- UK: £112
-
China: £13
-
Weekly food shop:
- UK: £20
-
China: £10
-
Eating out:
- UK: £60
-
China: £32
-
Socialising:
- UK: £0
-
China: £10
-
Monthly savings: £694
Emily’s story demonstrates how relocating to a different country can offer not only financial benefits but also a richer, more fulfilling lifestyle.
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