| I spent 3 years in China before Covid. Happened to be out of the country during initial lockdown and that was that. My experiences are pre Covid so things may be different now, I don’t know. Pros: - very vibrant, never bored even though when I went I didn’t know anyone really - I was paid a Silicon Valley salary so high income compared to the typical local. Can afford a very nice lifestyle - due to demographics and being an “actual” expat, as opposed to English teacher, was respected Cons: - general quality of life. Traffic, pollution, food and water safety etc - can be hard to make deep connection except with other expats. Just different cultures and values. - lack of freedom and censorship. Vpn needed for everything, and even then doesn’t always work. Certain topics are avoided - there is a surface level fakeness that I personally really dislike. It’s a fun place to be for a while when you have the income and status. But for me at least not a place to be long term. |