re: Moving to Asia after I graduate

I lived in Beijing for 3 years. I look back on that experience in my life very fondly. It expanded my mind, I got to meet people from all over the world, had experiences almost no one I know back home had, and it made me simultaneously happier to be an American, but also made me realized on some things we could improve on.

I would definitely encourage it. Plus it looks good on a resume if you work abroad and gets people interested in talking to you just because they're curious about your story. And definitely backpack around Asia while you're there. That was an amazing experience that I'll never forget.

Shanghai is cool, but (save for Hong Kong) is also by far the most expensive city in China. It does feel a lot like NYC. It's also a very young city with not much history outside of past hundred years. Here's a before and after pic in just a 20 year timespan:

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Move to Taipei. Taiwanese love Americans and it's a freedom loving democracy.

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Taipei is a cool place. Was only there for a few days when I was renewing my work visa, but I enjoyed it.

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Especially if I'm on a tight budget.

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Then you need to consider another Asian city besides Shanghai. Beijing is much more affordable.

If you thought Switzerland was expensive, Shanghai will make you bleed from the anus daily.

You cant afford shanghai or Beijing or any major chinese city that hires foreigners for that matter.

You need company subsidized housing


Source: I worked in shanghai for 2 years

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I you must go. Definitely move to Singapore where they speak English. That will get you adapted into Asian culture.

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He said he wants to move to Shanghai. Thats like the most western city not in the west lol. They speak shite tons of English. You can go into a bar where its hard to find people who speak Mandarin.

If you plan on getting a job, don't go to China at all as a recent graduate. New Chinese policies state they will not even issue you a work visa if you do not have at least two years of post-graduate work experience. Shanghai especially, they have gotten really strict there about issuing work visas (I live just down the coast in Shenzhen).

So, unless you want to roll the dice with English teaching over there illegally, avoid China for the next couple of years.

If you want an underrated destination in Southeast Asia for business and tourism, go to Kuala Lumpur. Beautiful city with lots of opportunities for foreigners. Singapore is awesome too, but you better get an awesome job because living there will tap you out in a heartbeat.

plenty of expats in thailand.

low cost of living, worth a shot.

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You cant afford shanghai or Beijing or any major chinese city that hires foreigners for that matter.

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He can afford Wudaokou in Beijing. I had an decent apartment there for 15 bucks a day. The beer and food is cheap. Subway is even cheaper. Nothing but college kids and recent grads living there. It's the electronics and cars that are expensive.

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This wouldn't be for the rest of my life but rather a year-like excursion.

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Go for it if you have the means to do so.