Qingdao, China
Pros and Cons of Living in Qingdao
Last updated on Feb 15, 2023
Summary: The pros of living in Qingdao, China include its beautiful coastal scenery, its vibrant culture, and its convenient transportation system. Additionally, Qingdao is home to a variety of international businesses, making it an attractive destination for expats. On the other hand, the cons of living in Qingdao include its high cost of living, its air pollution, and its language barrier. Additionally, the city can be quite crowded, making it difficult to find a quiet place to relax.
What are the pros and cons of living in Qingdao?
Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Qingdao responded:
"Expats and digital nomads living in Qingdao appreciate the city's stunning coastal scenery, vibrant nightlife, and delicious seafood. They also enjoy the city's low cost of living, which makes it an attractive destination for those looking to stretch their budget. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads find the language barrier and lack of English-speaking locals to be a challenge. Additionally, the city's air pollution can be a source of frustration for some," wrote one expat in Qingdao.
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What do expats in Qingdao appreciate most about the local culture?
"Expats in Qingdao appreciate the friendly and welcoming locals. They also appreciate the diversity of the city, with people from various backgrounds living together in harmony. The vast selection of restaurants featuring a variety of ethnic cuisines is also a draw for foreigners, who can find enjoyment in exploring different dishes from around the world. The beautiful scenery of Qingdao's seaside also offers a great escape for expats looking for a tranquil getaway. The city's vibrant nightlife, festivals and events are also a major appeal, allowing expats an opportunity to explore a different culture and experience something new," said one person in Qingdao, China.
"The people are friendly, the variety of cultural experiences is widely varied. Travel is cheap and the exchange rate makes my Social Security go about 5 times farther than it would in the US. I have easy access to Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Mongolia, Nepal, and with a bit of visa effort, Tibet and Vladivostok are accessible. I'm currently in a seafood based cuisine here but I love the access to multiple dining experiences," remarked one expat in Qingdao.
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What do expats find most challenging?
"Expats in Qingdao may find the language barrier to be one of the most challenging aspects of the local culture. Communication can also be difficult due to cultural differences, such as people’s attitudes towards hierarchical relationships, being direct and making eye contact. Another challenge is navigating the differences between Chinese and western dining etiquette, including the lack of knives and forks. Additionally, as Qingdao is a predominantly conservative city, modest dress and behavior is generally expected in public areas," remarked one expat in Qingdao, China.
"I would have to say language is high on the list but a translating program is available for download on smart phones, tablets, and computers,.. and that can help when necessary. maintenance of visas takes some effort but as I approach the end of my current visa in September, I'm hoping the newly relaxed visa requirements between the US and China will make renewing my visa easier. I am constantly recruited to teach English but currently am not on a work visa. I am not sure if these are challenges or simply items to which I have focused too little effort," explained one expat living in Qingdao.
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.
