Though I’ve been here many times, this was the first time I’ve come to China since COVID. The first thing I noticed was the walkability of all sizes of cities, from the tier 1 to the countryside, everywhere is super walkable. Unlike living in America, I found the ability to walk anywhere for fun or to just pick up things you need very enjoyable. It’s hard to be sad inside the house when you can go have fun at any moment.

Average working class salary to cost is doable but not as livable as the recent xiaohongshu trend depicted. For instance a family member’s monthly salary is 5000 RMB but going out to dinner for hot pot might be close to 500. A weeks worth of groceries is also around 4-500. Of course these prices are awesome to westerners but make things tight for the average person. Though the salary is 1/3 or less the average American many foods and drinks, especially meat, is the same if not more expensive than America. On the other hand, other necessities such as electricity, water, public transportation, and sometimes rent are much more affordable.

It blows my mind though how expensive housing is. In this small town a nice apartment may be around 600-700,000 RMB. How does one ever pay for that? Of course you can find much older and affordable options. In a big city like Chengdu a decent apartment is around 2,800,000 RMB or 400,000 USD. Pretty expensive even by American standards. Good thing is recent 30 year loans only have an interest rate of 3.1.

Every young person I know has yet to purchase their own house and still lives with their parents. The upside is that this is very accepted and potentially more enjoyable than in America. While staying with family, I noticed how hard they work to take care of family members. Chinese parents really do everything to take care of children and grandchildren. It’s hard to not get along with such sweet family. I find that in America family is also kind but have a personal line for what they’re willing to do. Once you’re 18 many adult jobs are now not their problem whereas a Chinese parent sees it as their job forever. It would be hard not to be filial to them.