Pros and Cons of Living in China

"The ties to family and friends is much deeper and the reliance on others is far more of a necessity than in the US or anywhere else I have lived," explained one expat.

"Expatriates in China often appreciate the unique cultural heritage this country has to offer. From Chinese architectural wonders such as the Great Wall to appreciated art forms like Chinese calligraphy, expats find a variety of things to appreciate about Chinese culture. They also relish the opportunity to participate in traditional festivals such as Chinese New Year in order to get a more intimate experience with Chinese culture. Furthermore, many expats in China find eateries featuring authentic traditional Chinese cuisine to be an enjoyable part of their experience in the country," said one person in China.

"Expat life in China can be challenging due to differences in culture. Many expats find getting around in a country where Chinese is the only official language difficult. Another challenge is the Chinese notion of 'saving face', which can lead to misunderstandings with locals. Many expats are surprised by the focus on maintaining harmony and avoiding conflicts and by the fact that Chinese people rarely say ‘no’ directly. Additionally, the significantly different dietary customs can be challenging for many expats and the strict censorship of the government on media, internet and television are often shocking for Western expats," explained one expat living in China.

"The difference of knowledge of such things as basic science and understandings of how and why things work the way they do is vast. It can be very trying to the patience and can be a significant problem in any type of emergency situation," said one expat in China.