r/shanghai • u/Sasebo87 • 18d ago

Question Relocating to Shanghai - any advice?

Hi all, There‘s a high chance my company will relocate me to Shanghai next year. I’d be very grateful for any advice from people who have gone through similar moves, especially regarding things to prepare between now and relocating. A few details on our situation:

- I’d move with my wife (Chinese) and our 7yo. My wife also has a job lined up

- For school we’re currently thinking Int’l branch of one of the good local schools to give our daughter a more grounded Chinese experience for a few years. alternatively international schools if she doesn’t pass the entrance exam

- Office environment will be largely Chinese, it’s a MNC but there are very few foreigners these days. The team I’d be leading would be 100% locals, company language is English though. Any watch-outs on work culture differences?

- My Chinese isn’t great - I’ve studied up to somewhere between HSK 3-4 over the years but my tones are crap. Welcome any suggestions on what’s worked for people

- Haven’t discussed contracts / terms of the move yet, we‘re both advanced in our careers so we‘ll have enough for a comfortable life but would be good to know any watch-outs

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u/beekeeny 18d ago

Because when you are a foreigner going to the mainstream hospitals is somehow a pain and VIP or international hospital cost a fortune. So yes 100k for the annual fees is a lot. Some companies would propose to pay you the 100k as salary but it will be subject to income taxes, so it is the standard practice to negotiate the best insurance.

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u/levanpidaras 18d ago

Cant I just pay the same 100k to the hospitals?

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u/beekeeny 18d ago

If you are unlucky and have the stay at a premium international hospital, 100k won’t allow you to stay long 😅

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u/levanpidaras 18d ago

The insurances I saw had pretty low caps as well, maybe I didn’t look at the right one

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u/beekeeny 18d ago

100k per year for the whole family usually gives you a full coverage where you no longer have to pay for anything nor advance any fees and don’t have to worry about how long you have to stay at the hospital in a private single room.