Life for a foreigner in Guanzghou..?

Question

Whats it like for a foreigner in Guanzghou??

Are there lots of other friendly foreigners?

Clubs? bars?

How is the salary for teachers here?

What are some good schools to apply for?

Thanks everyone! Im thinking of moving here in a few months...

Answer 1

I've been to Guangzhou a few times. It's OK. Plenty of bars and clubs, but the music in them might not be quite what you expect.

The air isn't so great, but not as bad as Beijing or Shanghai. Good thing is you're close to Shenzhen, Hainan, Dongguan, Hong Kong and Macau. So, if you can manage to negotiate for a 4 day teaching week (it's possible, I've done it) weekends away to those places are possible.  

Answer 2

Its fine but hot hot hot . Nice in winter though. Very nice ! Most school are dodgy. Be careful with hours per week. Have a maximum or they will burn you outt.I have been teaching in Chia three years  but not Guanzhou though have visited.

Answer 3

I'm just 25 minutes away from Guangzhou in Shenzhen.  I have been to GZ numerous times.  Life there is good, plenty of Western things so you don't feel so alone.  Lots of foreigners in GZ, lots of amazing clubs, ktvs and massage joints.  Papa Johns, Pizza Hut, Mc D's, KFC, 7-11's, Starbucks, Blendz, Hormel, Kleenex toilet paper, ice cream, Supermarkets with tons of Western stuff, you really don't miss anything from back home.

Salary depends on how many teaching hours you do, how are your skills/exp and where you teach.  If you got to work for say Wall Street English in downtown F/T, then you will be paid well.  If you got to a public school in one of the factory towns, you will be paid little.  Lots of private language schools in GZ.

Answer 4

I was born in Guangzhou but have lived in the U.S. for most of my life.  I spend a lot of summers there.  The nightlife scene isn't bad and there are quite a few bars and clubs along the Pearl River (zhujiang) that are marketed towards foreigners so I think you'll be in good company.  I don't know exact figures on salary but Guangzhou is one of the more affordable cities in China (definitely cheaper than Beijing where I've also lived).  This is especially the case for rent so you might want to keep that in mind if you're comparing opportunities between cities.