Shanghai or Mexico City? (fit in, live, moving)

[AliveandWell]

No actually most people in China don't speak much English. Their English level is generally abysmal to non-existent. China is expected to be the world's next economic power and their residents can't even speak basic English!

I did not expect China to be like Holland, but I also did not expect their English skills to be this bad. English is the language of the world and in order to be successful in business and international trade, English knowledge is important. China is not really an educated country, although their residents work hard, that's it.

[Ounce]

^But the Chinese are learning English.

China made English compulsory in primary schools from Grade 3 in 2001, while big cities such as Beijing and Shanghai have already introduced English at Grade 1. According to Graddol's research, an estimated 176.7 million Chinese were studying English in 2005 within the formal education sector.

And about 20 million Chinese a year are speaking english.

Got above quote from this story titled: "Native English is losing its power" -
Asia Times Online :: South Asia news - 'Native English' is losing its power

[Big Dirty]

Mexico City is awesome. Great museums, historical sights, stip clubs, etc. As far as crime, it feels safer than say Detroit, DC, Memphis, or even Houston. Mexicans are WAYYYYYY more accepting of a foreigner than the Chinese are.

[jaytr]

A lot will depend on your cultural preference and openness. Both Shanghai and Mexico City have huge populations, with waves of people moving in for better opportunities (read: money, jobs).

Language: Mandarin is very tonal. If you're really good with picking up foreign languages, you can at least learn conversational Mandarin and some very basic reading/writing, which are absurdly complicated. Spanish is extremely easy to learn, in comparison.

If you're adventurous, go with a short-term job plan in place (a job offer before going) and be flexible enough to seize any new opportunities that arise.

[ji603]

Shanghai for sure.

[dougie86]

Here's an excerpt taken from Jim Roger's book, page 7, last para.
Hope it's useful.

[AliveandWell]

Originally Posted by Big Dirty

Mexico City is awesome. Great museums, historical sights, stip clubs, etc. As far as crime, it feels safer than say Detroit, DC, Memphis, or even Houston. Mexicans are WAYYYYYY more accepting of a foreigner than the Chinese are.

I have never been to Mexico City before but I have heard both good and bad things about it. It is a real shame that whenever the US media talks about Mexico, they only report the bad things. There is a reason why lots of US and Canadian citizens move to Mexico. It is due to the fact that they enjoy the weather as well as the quality of life. Shanghai is affordable but the air is super dirty and it has the worst summer weather I have ever experienced. I think the Chinese can be friendly but there is rudeness there in China. Trust me I have seen it. Mexicans seem to me to be more polite.

Do you hear about a lot of US or Canadian citizens moving to China? No way. Having said that, China is an interesting and fascinating country to visit. I would think that Mexicans are more open minded than the Chinese are. I had a job interview up in China last month for a job at Microsoft but did not get hired. It might have been due to the fact that the Chinese would prefer to hire a native Chinese person over a foreigner. I am not sure why I was not hired but that may have been the reason. Again as I said before, if I was given the chance to choose where to live between Mexico City and Shanghai, I'd go to Mexico City.

[dougie86]

Originally Posted by AliveandWell

I have never been to Mexico City before but I have heard both good and bad things about it. It is a real shame that whenever the US media talks about Mexico, they only report the bad things. There is a reason why lots of US and Canadian citizens move to Mexico. It is due to the fact that they enjoy the weather as well as the quality of life. Shanghai is affordable but the air is super dirty and it has the worst summer weather I have ever experienced. I think the Chinese can be friendly but there is rudeness there in China. Trust me I have seen it. Mexicans seem to me to be more polite.

Do you hear about a lot of US or Canadian citizens moving to China? No way. Having said that, China is an interesting and fascinating country to visit. I would think that Mexicans are more open minded than the Chinese are. I had a job interview up in China last month for a job at Microsoft but did not get hired. It might have been due to the fact that the Chinese would prefer to hire a native Chinese person over a foreigner. I am not sure why I was not hired but that may have been the reason. Again as I said before, if I was given the chance to choose where to live between Mexico City and Shanghai, I'd go to Mexico City.

"It might have been due to the fact that the Chinese would prefer to hire a native Chinese person over a foreigner. "
A Chinese Canadian with IBM was relocated to Quangzhou for a couple of years, but when his term was up his job no longer exists in Canada and he has to take an assignment in Singapore.
If what you said is correct then it is their lost not yours. But I highly doubt it, it could be a combination of chemistry, favoritism, buddyism (which occurs everywhere in North America as well).

Microsoft has an office in Vancouver BC that hire up to 800 - 1000. Matrikon in Alberta is still busy. Disney PIXAR is also hiring.

"Again as I said before, if I was given the chance to choose where to live between Mexico City and Shanghai, I'd go to Mexico City."
If money is not an issue, everyone should go live where they want. Alas, if only life is as simple as that.

[Tiger Beer]

Shanghai...China is about as capitalistic as a country can get, if you are looking for that...

[AliveandWell]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

Shanghai...China is about as capitalistic as a country can get, if you are looking for that...

Your response doesn't surprise me since you live in Asia now. But on a practical and basic level, statistics show that people in Mexico live longer than in China with the exception of Macau(life expectancy is 84 years) and Hong Kong. Also, people in Mexico have a more relaxed lifestyle. Is it any wonder why so many US and Canadian citizens go to live there? No surprise to me.

I'd like to mention that I'd also consider Mexico City as an option because it is far closer to home for me than Shanghai. Traveling back and forth between China and CA to visit family would be long and I'd have to always deal with jet lag. From Los Angeles(my current location) to Mexico City the flight is only 3.5 hours by plane. That's far shorter than the 14 hours I had to sit through just to GO to Shanghai in July. I also speak Spanish. Mexican beer and wine is VERY good too Don't get me wrong, I think China is interesting and fascinating and I would not rule out spending more time there. But I have a hunch that I'd lean towards living in Mexico City. It is a tough call