rainbowrider
12/7/2009 14:12 EST
For instance, my wife is Chinese but she has been in U.S. for 8 years and has heard of higher prices on everything from her family and not really sure what I might miss when we move and wish I had brought more of to China. Like electronics; cameras, laptops and toothpaste, socks, Levis, shoes. My brother-in- law says shoes are very expensive so should I buy 2-3 pairs to take with me rather than buy there? ALSO, how much cash should I carry or is allowed into China for each person? What places do I stay out of in Xi'An? What should I be aware of in protecting myself ag. pickpockets? My wife's family is warning us about how prevalent of a problem this is in Xi'An. Any and all info. no matter what the subject from respondents is appreciated. I'm sure I have overlooked some important subjects. thank you
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EloMaxxelli
12/8/2009 01:37 EST
Hi,
Most of the things you mention will actually be cheaper in China, especially electronics! (though you have to make sure that English is available on the device) Food is also cheap, but imported products are definitely not! Besides, don't forget that it is hard to find an oven in China... For clothing, branded goods are more expensive than in the US... but you can find Chinese products of average/good quality that are a lot cheaper! If you want to have the same lifestyle as in the US you will spend more, but if you adapt a bit you can really enjoy the life in China as an expatriate!
I don't think there is any regulation about carrying money. I live in Chengdu and I usually have between 50RMB and 200RMB. To protect yourself against pickpockets, just don't carry your wallet in a easily accessible pocket but rather in a closed bag.
Hope it helps.
PS: If you need further information about living in China, you can also have a look on my blog (http://www.maxxelli-blog.com). Even if I don't write about Xi'An, some of the articles deal with everyday life in China as well.
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rainbowrider
12/8/2009 12:08 EST
Thanks for the reply. As far as carrying money, I meant what is the limit on the amount of U.S.$ do I have to declare when entering CHina?
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EloMaxxelli
12/8/2009 22:12 EST
Hi,
I think you can bring up to 5000 US$ when you enter to China. If you need further info, I suggest you go the Chinese embassy. They can surely give you some brochures with all those details.
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RealEstateBrenda
12/15/2009 18:34 EST
In many ways I agree with rainbowrider: adapt as much as possible in regards to food and some small items. You will not likely find cotton socks, much less socks large enough for an average American man. I had great luck finding womens clothes cheaply (I'm 5'0" & <120 lbs), but my husband is average size and he had NO LUCK at all finding clothes to fit. Remember, too, all quality items they make for export to the US is not available to the locals (that will be you). Also, China does not have the same rules for manufacturing when it comes to other stuff. Remember that label you last saw on a new pillow, blanket, etc. that says "All new materials"? When we lived in China 2 yrs ago, we learned the value of that little label when we purchased pillows and a foam mattress cover for our new "Hard As Board" mattress. Once unwrapped, washed & placed on our bed, they reeked of gasoline! The outer coverings were of new materials, but the stuffing was made of scraps from who knows where! Chinese toothpaste is suspect, too. Simply Google "Chinese toothpaste".
I don't mean to scare you, I only encourage you to use good common sense. Best of luck!
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rainbowrider
12/16/2009 23:58 EST
Thanks Brenda, very helpful information, especially about toothpaste and clothes. My wife thought it would be cheaper to have clothes made there as far as suits and I'm real concerned about keeping my teeth so I'll look into bulk toothpaste packing in my luggage. My wife's family has said that food has really gotten expensive. Can you comment on that? Anyone?
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Aussieoverseas
12/17/2009 07:32 EST
Hey - I am just coming in on this conversation. I currently live in Nanjing and have good friends who were in Xian till June. I do not agree with the previous post. We have Colgate toothpaste, all the other Western goodies you will want. My friends from Xian have told me they also had all they needed to access and more. We arrived with 2 suitcases and have kitted out a great apartment. Food and clothing is cheap. My husband is 6'4" and has had a suit and a cashmere coat made here for a third of the price we would have paid in US, England or Australia. Food is CHEAP. Eating out is a real treat. The Chinese will fall over backwards to try and help you. The only thing I would warn about is local tap water and make sure your insurance cover for medical is watertight and ensures you can access a doctor of your choice. Other than that embrace the move - it is fascinating, wonderful, eye opening. Forget living in the usual expat compunds and get out and live in the community with the Chinese, still in a secure environment but not with a whole lot of other foreigners. Immerse yourself in it all - it is fabulous. One of the oldest civilisations on earth - rich in culture, generous to a fault and just a wonderful experience. You don't need to bring anything with you other than your clothing and personal effects - it is another country - not another planet!
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Aussieoverseas
12/17/2009 07:36 EST
PS - Your wife's family may be inclined to exaggerate their povery - or they may in fact be very poor. There is so much poverty in China. You will need to use your judgement when you see how they are living. Most people in China will not be living at the same standard you would expect in the west. You may need to establish your own boudaries on this.
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jackX
12/17/2009 11:26 EST
I note the comments some have posted about clothing, shoes, stockings and toothpaste in China.
Even if you don't wish to shop in Chinese markets both Carrefour, the French hypermarket and WalMart, the US hypermarket have branches in Xian.
Bespoke clothes in China? Not laughably cheap but 30 to 40% of US prices.
Generic IT hardware is a bit cheaper, US branded IT hardware is more expensive. Bootleg software doesn't work. Music CDs very cheap.
best ...
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rainbowrider
12/17/2009 13:22 EST
Thanks for your input, but I don't think they are exagerating their poverty. They are older and living on fixed incomes yes. They also own their own apartment/condo in one of the newer buildings in Xi'An, as does my wife, so they are not destitute and I don't see a need to establish boundaries I guess you mean with them. I think they are only experiencing the rising costs of food and goods that other Chinese friends of ours are relating to us that their families are experiencing too. One thing I have been warned about is the two price system in China. The price Chinese pay vs. the price foreigners pay. If you're not with a Chinese friend expect to pay more than a Chinese person even in department stores, maybe Wal-mart and other major stores excluded.
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jimcn
3/3/2010 16:10 EST
there is a great site here, it is an e-mag in xian that is amazing and helped me a lot when moving here last year. they make lots of interesting movie reports about xian too. check it out:
http://newdynasty.com.cn/
there is another site which is more community oriented about xian expats:
http://www.xiancommunity.com
hope it helps
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