Settling (Settled) Down in China?

[sirenbear]

I once read that a foreigner who lives in China longer than five years is likely to stay here forever. Well, I've lived here a total of about six years. I was home in the U.S. last year and have come back for a summer position, which may lead to a year-round position (keep your fingers crossed!) in a job that is pretty much ideal for me. As I am not that young anymore (31) I sort of want to be furthering my career along and living in one place for awhile.

I'm interested in starting a discussion here about long-term China residents. Those of you who plan to be here long-term, or are at least thinking about it. What's your life like? How do you deal with homesickness? How often do you go home? Etc....

Thanks in advance, really interested to hear from you all. (short-termers welcome to join in on the conversation as well).

[anonymoose]

I've been in China for about 4.5 years, though not in one continuous stretch. I had never intended to be in China permanently, and still don't, although the main factor for me is career. I was lucky in that, when I came back to China the second time, I had a job which was very good by Chinese standards, but with limited long-term prospects, so it is good in the short-term, I still don't see myself staying for good.

If you are happy in China, and you don't feel that you are sacrificing too much by being there (for example family, career prospects and so on), then I see no reason why you should leave. In my opinion, though, it is always important to leave the door open to returning home, which means that you should be earning enough that you can go back without being too poor by local standards.

[gougou]

I once read that a foreigner who lives in China longer than five years is likely to stay here forever.

Geez, only 8 days left for me... But even if I do stay longer than these 8 days (which seems likely, given current ticket prices), I doubt that I'll stay here forever. Actually even in those phases were I was most enamored of China, I never could imagine that.

[sirenbear]

I think the "5 years" thing is just something people say...and I'm not even sure I got the saying right. However I do think there is definitely something to the idea that once you live in China past a certain number of years, it starts to become like a second home and it's likely that even if you do return to your "real" home country, you will always feel sort of split between cultures (at least, that's how I feel). I think five years is a good estimation of the time period over which that attachment really starts to form.

[kdavid]

I've been here for four years. I initially got into my current career track as a means to travel and learn languages. I came to China in 2006 not knowing what to expect.

I got really lucky and met someone with fantastic business sense. A great opportunity fell in my lap and I've been here since, and planning on staying for quite some time.

My original objective for traveling and language learning was to pad my resume / grad school application. I'm hoping that my work experience, language skills and the little bit of writing I'm doing on the side will help with that. I'm also planning on starting an MA in history (which I want to study/teach back home in the States) next year. I'll probably move onto a Phd afterwords granted I have enough time.

For me, China provides an excellent opportunity to save money for me and my family's future. I also have tons of free time to study, enjoy life, etc.

While I do see myself in China for possibly 10 years, I do not plan on staying here forever. I can never fulfill my dream of becoming a university professor in China, nor am I keen on always being different, and constantly reminded of it.

The States also offer much better educational opportunities for my children.

I don't get homesick often. I speak with my family all the time via email, Skype, etc. While I'd love to spend time with them, America can't offer me the same opportunities that China can right now. For the future of my family, and myself, I'll need to stick it out here a bit longer.

[Meng Lelan]

All of you are with jobs thus staying in China long term. But I wonder if foreigners have retired from overseas and went to China to stay, and ended up staying long term.

[gougou]

However I do think there is definitely something to the idea that once you live in China past a certain number of years, it starts to become like a second home

I don't think that only goes for China though - every place you spent a significant amount of time in can become a part of you.

But I wonder if foreigners have retired from overseas and went to China to stay, and ended up staying long term.

Definitely! I think the South-East-Asian countries might still be a bit more popular in that respect, but I know of some people that came here and intend to spend the rest of their lives living off their savings.

[Meng Lelan]

Definitely! I think the South-East-Asian countries might still be a bit more popular in that respect, but I know of some people that came here and intend to spend the rest of their lives living off their savings.

Oh, good, I wanna retire in Suzhou in 20 years from now.

[liuzhou]

I've been here since February 14th 1996.

I planned on two years, but...

But I don't think I'm here forever.

[SiMaKe]

... I know of some people that came here and intend to spend the rest of their lives living off their savings.

[\quote]

For those of you who have/will have extended stays, this may become an important aspect of the issue to consider. But while some of you think you are "old" at 31 :rolleyes:, you generally still have long, long time to go before retirement issues start taking center stage.

However, for me, I would be very interested to hear about those who have retired to China and how they have fared. I've heard such anecdotes as "China doesn't really want these type of people", so I wonder 1) is this impression correct and if so 2) how these retirees then actually "retire" there?. And aside from the practical matters like what type of visa would be appropriate, what specific issues do such retirees encounter that are different from what younger working folk encounter?

I hope this still fits in with the topic but let me know if it doesn't and if a separate thread would be more appropriate.

[sirenbear]

I do think people can get attached to any place after a number of years, but I think for Westerners,with more Westernized countries with cultures similar to their home country, the process is different. With China, because it is so different from the West, it takes a number of years to get "attached", but after that time, it becomes harder to become "unattached". Because the way of life is so different.

PS: I don't think 31 is old. ^_^ I just think for me it represents a time when I need to start making actual money to repay all these school loans :rolleyes: .....and also to start thinking about supporting my parents a bit as they get older. Thus, the need to find a more stable job. (I've always been a wanderer and haven't amassed savings at this point

[abcdefg]

I’ve been spending half of each year here since spring, 2007. Visited briefly a bit before that. I’m almost retired from my US job, and have thought of living the rest of my days in China after I sever that connection, probably early this coming year.

Stateside family considerations are minor, since I’m divorced with no kids and my parents are long deceased. Have lined up a part-time job that should generate the appropriate visa. Still not sure whether or not it’s going to be feasible from the standpoint of developing an adequate social network here in China.

In summary, I'm not quite ready to take the plunge but am thinking seriously about it.

[hst19]

I too am thinking about settling in China after going to college there, and starting a medical career. Ah, but that's just a dream at this point...........hope it will come true!

[Jane_PA]

"thinking about supporting my parents a bit as they get older. "

Nice!