City with low-cost of living for 6 months of university study

[Dawei3]

The niece of an Indonesian friend wants to study for 6 months in China as part of her university studies (i.e., a 6-month abroad program).  Her niece is studying Chinese literature.  Her family has little money and she needs to study in a low cost of living place in China.  The quality of the university is not that important; she’s more interested in living in China to improve her Chinese ability.  

 

She asked if Harbin is low cost.  Any sense of how it compares to ?  Any other suggestions of cities she might consider?  (I realize this is fairly broad question.  I told this forum has people with amazing knowledge of China).

[abcdefg]

She should probably develop a mental check list of some other considerations in addition to cost of living. Being Indonesian, she might not appreciate Harbin winters. 

 

That being said, she might want to consider Kunming. Quite a bit less expensive than Beijing and Shanghai. I enjoyed living there and found costs very reasonable. But it is, after all, a provincial capital city, and as such has amenities that make it cost more than smaller cities. 

[Flickserve]

On 1/13/2025 at 10:47 AM, abcdefg said:

might not appreciate Harbin winters. 

True. If the trip is for six months, that could avoid the depths of winter. 

[abcdefg]

I spent 2 very pleasant months in Harbin one summer. It was not very expensive, to the best of my recollection. Anecdotal first-hand information, such as mine, has a definite expiration date, however, and has very limited usefulness today. The year I was there was 2008. 

[Dawei3]

Thanks for the comments!  I understand what you mean about the cold.  Another Indonesian friend is coming to Chicago at the beginning of March and she has NO warm clothing.  Chicago can be very very cold.....  

 

I'll mention to my friend Kunming and also the costs of getting warm clothes (I'm originally from New England, so I understand cold winters).  

[Dawei3]

On 1/12/2025 at 9:47 PM, abcdefg said:

consider Kunming.

Does Kunming get government central heat in the winter?  Or do people use air conditioners for heating?  

[suMMit]

I don't know, maybe they want to experience a different climate. 

[abcdefg]

On 1/13/2025 at 10:59 PM, Dawei3 said:

Does Kunming get government central heat in the winter?  Or do people use air conditioners for heating?

 

No government heating and usually no central heating or air conditioning of any kind (in private homes.) The climate is mild and usually pleasant, so for the few weeks of cold January winter and the few weeks of hot August summer you just make do with temporary measures. It's not uncommon to wear a heavy sweater or jacket inside the house during winter. I always had one or two small floor-standing space heaters that I would move around from room to room, depending on where I was sitting. 

[becky82]

I moved here (Weihai) for the low cost of living.  Weihai has Shandong University which has a Chinese language program.  People here are generally far more laid back than in Beijing (where I used to live), and up for a chit chat.  And there's a beach.  It's cold in the winter (i.e., now), but it's not so bad outside of the winter.