Cost of Living in China?

[Chaos]

I'm going to Shanghai for 6 months.

Considering accomodation is paid up, how much do you recommend you need money wise for food and other expenses?

Also which is the cheapest way to get your money out there, without being ripped off by travelex (and other companies) crappy exchange rate?

[Discopants]

Cant advise of cost of living in Shanghai

But they cheapest way to get cash (seeing as your a Brit)
I would reccomend getting a Nationwide building society current account.
They charge nothing for getting cash out of ATM machines abroad which means you get the actual exchange rate for the currrency as opposed to the tourist rates (typically saving yourself around 4%)

[akabridget]

I found Shanghai the most expensive place in china to visit and as a result only spent 3 days there. China is on a whole really cheap once you know what you are doing and where to go. Shanghai being a major city charged more everything it was definitely more expensive to go out drinking and eat out. Plus there isn't a lot of tourist things to do and what is there tends to be pricey and really chessey. At all costs avoid the touist tunnel. its a very modern and comtempary city and i felt that it has lost a lot of its hertiage.

I imagine if you are there for 6 months surely you must be working and have kitchen facilities so, budget wouldn't be as much of a problem. Depends what you want to do. if accommodation is covered a tenner a day would cover it as long a you didnt go mad.

[Wraithe]

Hi, China is no longer as cheap as it once was and it's getting rapidly more expensive (comparatively), my advice is to learn how to cook or go to University campus restaurants if you want to keep costs down. Shanghai is mind-numbingly expensive compared to the rest of China, quickly become a local, find out local people restaurants and things start to become on more of a par with the rest of China (as long as you're not near the Embassy district). Become 'friends' with DVD dealers, street food vendors and market stall owners and prices will also come down quickly.

In the end going out is the best way to experience a normal Chinese life (which can be fun, honestly) and learn Chinese, Doing most things in China is still very much cheaper than many other first world countries, eating out can be a regular occasion unlike in the West just don't be swayed into thinking your finances won't be hurt by eating at 30 kuai/$4 a meal restaurants and copious buying of DVD's.

Just one other thing, Carrefour, Walmart and Vanguard = expensive.
UBC coffee and Starbucks, McDonald's, Pizza Hut and KFC also very expensive.

RESIST THE URGE!!! and good luck.

[becca8125]

learn to love your little local food shops! it can be very affordable if you avoid the nice sit-down places in favor of little (though perhaps less than clean) places. drink tea instead of soda and remember to boil your water or drink bottled!

[helloworldbea]

As with the above advice, several restaurants in China can put a major dent in your travel budget. Are you going with someone? Splitting costs always helps, though prices are still pretty steep.