[JB UK]

Hi people,

I hope you can help. Advise from westerners in my positiona and local people would be great.

I have been offered a chance to move to Shenzhen from the UK to work at my organisations global HQ. Its a big move as i dont know anyone, never been to china and dont know what its like to live out there.

I know more about the moon than Shenzhen but for my career it could be a good move. How are english people treated over there, whats the culture like and is it any good for a young single male.

Questions questions questions. dont know where to start so can anyone advise if they can help me understand what its like to live there.

Thanks

[jayinhongkong]

your money is gonna go a long, long way in shenzhen. might be worthwhile to start taking mandarin classes, too....it'll be a big change. i suggest you come check it out before considering a move.

[discobay]

Check out the thread links at the bottom of this page.

[cerberus]

heh heh, hope you like beggars and such. SZ's not that different from HK tho, same climate, topography etc. of course, it's composed of internal migrants from all over the mainland, so very diverse, and not as cosmopolitan as HK.

however, i digress: if you've lived in the fragrant harbor, you already know a lot about SZ. tell me you're relocating to Dalian or Shenyang and then i'll say watch out coz the diff will be significant.

yo disco and jay, whatup?

[maddogmerrick]

I think you would like Shenzhen if you were to come out here. Get yourself an apartment in Shekou and you will fit in in no time. Shekou has many bars and western restaurants.

It was a shock for me when I 1st arrived in Shenzhen from the UK but you soon get used to it and after a while it begins to feel normal.

A short course in Mandarin at Shenzhen University will be helpful to you. Takes a lot of effort and a hell of a lot of patience to learn Mandarin but well worth it. Learning Mandarin is much easier than learning French or German though I think. Chinese grammar is simple.

English people in Shenzhen and the rest of China are treated very well. Sometimes a bit too nice though as the locals tend to be quite curious. China is a safe place (compared to the UK) and the people there are nice and friendly.

As a young single male from the UK I am sure you will receive more female attention than you can deal with.

It really depends on your personality whether you will like it out here and how much of an effort you are prepared to make to meet new friends and speak mandarin etc.

[surang]

I've been in Shenzhen for almost 4 years, but I am still not used to it and never feel good about the place. Maybe because I don't live in Shekou area. I just took a Mandarin class in Shenzhen University 3 years ago, that mgiht help...

[hongkongtong]

youd be a fool to move to SHEN ZHEN from UK. and no money does not go along way, all the cheap stuff adds up quick. girls will like u if your white, but thats only cuz they think u got money, or wana be seen with a white guy. azn people that see u will try to hustle you. choice is urs.

[Shiprex]

I have been offered a post at a Shenzhen college and was wondering how good the city is in regard to facilities for Westerners (entertainment sport, gym etc) and availability of used cars or motor cycles.

Also regarding transportation what are the requirements for a foreigner to be allowed to drive/ride a motor vehicle in China/Hong Kong?
I would also like to know also how difficult it would be to obtain a permit to cross the border between HK and Mainland for a vehicle.

I visited it in April though only for a day and found it to be quite clean and pleasant though that was probably because of the new experience and rose tinted glasses I was wearing. What are the main pitfalls of living there compared to Hong Kong since I may get a job offer to work there too?

Thanks

[jimmymakss]

Originally Posted by Shiprex

I have been offered a post at a Shenzhen college and was wondering how good the city is in regard to facilities for Westerners (entertainment sport, gym etc) and availability of used cars or motor cycles.

Also regarding transportation what are the requirements for a foreigner to be allowed to drive/ride a motor vehicle in China/Hong Kong?
I would also like to know also how difficult it would be to obtain a permit to cross the border between HK and Mainland for a vehicle.

I visited it in April though only for a day and found it to be quite clean and pleasant though that was probably because of the new experience and rose tinted glasses I was wearing. What are the main pitfalls of living there compared to Hong Kong since I may get a job offer to work there too?

Thanks

As far as I know, if you are a holder of HK driving lic and you are allowed to take a simple written test and apply for a China driving lic without too much hassles.

In SZ, it is no pleasure and fun to drive coz of the heavily traffic jam everywhere...taking subway would be a better idea tho.

It is a drama to apply for a permit to stick on your car and cross the border in between Hk and China, it would be much easier if you r running a company in china as well as in HK. There are tones of limitation and procesure before you get it.

i believe the lifestyle in SZ nowadays is so much better than before, as the only drawback is...there are many crimes in SZ, it does happen every now and then.

[greentea]

No need to feel too happy about receiving a lot of attention from the China female. They will like you if you have got money...