Hi, we are considering relocating to Shanghai - my partner has a great job offer however it is proving difficult for me to find work in SH. What's it really like to be an expat wife? What do you do if you have no job or kids? Is it easy to hook up with other expats/expat networks? Have other expat wives/spouses found it difficult to find work when relocating with their partner who has a job already?

You will be known as a "trailing spouse"
If HE has good money, enjoy the experience, and RELAX.
It is shxt cheap here, and, you can search the site, as there are many support groups.available.

Honestly, you can do as much or as little as you like. If you want to work, you can find a job, but it's not so easy and if you are hired here, you almost certainly won't get paid nearly what you would for comparable work 'back home'. (It does, very occasionally, happen that you can land a good job at a good salary. Rare as hen's teeth, though.) If making money is not the object but having a new working environment experience and keeping your CV current is, then you have options. You will need to network to find them. This isn't that hard to do, honestly.

If your partner is making enough money and is on a good enough package that he can support both of you, and is happy to do so, then take some time and think about all the things you may have said to yourself in your life that you might like to do, "if only you had the time". This may be the greatest gift your husband is ever be able to give you. Do you like to draw or paint? Ever thought you might have a novel in you? Have a passion for cooking? Do you make jewelery or have notions about designing clothes? Want to work your way through the Russian classic authors? Ask yourself: if I could to anything, what would I do? Because you very nearly can.

depends on your abilty to make new friends and enjoy doing things not work related. if you like shopping , eating out, meeting new people, drinking... ect then it will be a positive experience.

Thank you everyone, that's great advice! My main concern is staying connected with my career, finish my studies and meet new friends - I very much enjoy shopping, cafe's and a few drinks so should be fine... Thanks again!

he give you money?

There are interesting jobs to be had, but as Klick mentioned, not what you might be expecting in terms of pay. If you find it difficult finding a "real" job at a decent rate, take an interesing job that might not pay much, but give experience and contacts.

Might be good to launch yourself into chinese language if you plan to be here a few years. It does help.
Many many opportunities for networking. it is pretty easy to find friends of you are out there. All expats are in the same boat - new country, new culture, don't know anyone, need to build a circle of friends.

The spammer arrives. Right on cue, and right off topic.

Ha Ha. Deleted. Well done. M.

Yup, Klick is spot on as usual.

One thing I'd like to add is apart from joining the expat groups, women's groups and any hobby groups there is also the Expat Professional Women's Association which is known as EPWS. There are some very entrepreneurial women there who are worth meeting up with.

We have details for most groups on our Shanghai Properties webbsite. You can research more about them before you arrive so you know which one suits. Here are the links to the details:

http://www.shanghaiprops.com/en/shangha ... sites.html
http://www.shanghaiprops.com/en/shangha ... neral.html
http://www.shanghaiprops.com/en/shangha ... roups.html

I also a recall a long post awhile ago about options for things to do for expat wives and what life was like here so maybe use the search function above to find this.

Good luck.

Adrienne

Shanghai Properties - Expat Agents Speak YOUR Language
http://www.shanghaiprops.com

You might also want to see if you can get your hands on the book Thrive: http://www.publishedbygrace.com/thrive/about-thrive

Live a full life. Work as a KTV girl and write a book on it afterwards.

Or rather than sitting on your bum drinking and becoming a socialite, why not volunteer in something (well, or get paid) where you get to travel around China?

Klick wrote:If you want to work, you can find a job, but it's not so easy and if you are hired here, you almost certainly won't get paid nearly what you would for comparable work 'back home'..

SIMPLY NOT TRUE

I just changed jobs (not even working for a major corporation) and I'm still earning like I was back home (which was a nice salary) which means I'm earning WAAAAAAY more than a local. I know many other people in the same situation as me, changing jobs while in China and STILL earning MORE than well. I also know several 'trailing spouses' who got GOOD jobs after arriving to China (meaning good not only in quality but also in salary). If you are qualified and you move your 'arse' you can get a good job very well paid in this town but yes you need to put some 'effort' like anything worth it in this life. You don't need to be a genius (trust me, I'm not).

In addition if you choose to do 'nothing' with your life, Shanghai is fantastic for that as well

Welcome to Shanghai and best to you !!!!!

Klick wrote:This may be the greatest gift your husband is ever be able to give you. Do you like to draw or paint? Ever thought you might have a novel in you? Have a passion for cooking? Do you make jewelery or have notions about designing clothes? Want to work your way through the Russian classic authors? Ask yourself: if I could to anything, what would I do? Because you very nearly can.

Great advice from Klick. Wish I had this outlook when I moved here.

Keep an open mind, there will be good days and bad days in this new adventure. If your career is your biggest 'interest', it's possible to land a job with comparable pay. Don't give up.

Good luck with your move!

Great, thanks for the advice everyone!!

Hi,
my dilemma is slightly different. Been working here almost a year, travelling daily to Wuxi, whilst wife work is based in Shanghai. We both work in the same company and the 2 year assignment is through my wifes role. Back in the UK we have no mortgage, we are living pretty comfortably here on the package the company provides so all our salary is basically saved. When I return to the UK I would pick up my previous role. I am pondering whether to ask for my secondment to be terminated as the travelling is becoming an issue, and the terms of the assignment basically mean the accompanying spouse (i.e. me) would be paid a small amount of compensation/month (ca 5000rmb). So basically considering taking 8-12months off. What would you do?

I am an expat wife and have been offered a job recently. My question is: do I have to apply any working visa? Am I allowed to work?

I have been in Shanghai for almost 6 months now.

Thanks.

Hi Everyone. I'm an expat wife and I'm just new here (forum and shanghai). Me and my baby (6 weeks old) just arrived in shanghai last sat (July 2). I'm a Filipino but worked in Singapore for 5yrs as Cost Engineer in a construction industry before our move here. I want to keep myself "sane" during our stay here.. Appreciate your advise on the following:

1) With a 6weeks old baby around (with no Ayi), what are the things I can do in Shanghai.
2) Language is tough, I have zero knowledge on Chinese. I want to learn. Is there anyone you can recommend to tutor me (at home)? And how much would it cost me?
3) I would like to know any group where I can join (to keep me busy and have a social life)
4) Is it worth getting an Ayi for my baby (I just don't trust stranger taking care of my baby), and find a job.
5) Any jobs I can get that doesn't require me to speak English?

Thanks a lot!
Vets

IanH wrote:Hi,
my dilemma is slightly different. Been working here almost a year, travelling daily to Wuxi, whilst wife work is based in Shanghai. We both work in the same company and the 2 year assignment is through my wifes role. Back in the UK we have no mortgage, we are living pretty comfortably here on the package the company provides so all our salary is basically saved. When I return to the UK I would pick up my previous role. I am pondering whether to ask for my secondment to be terminated as the travelling is becoming an issue, and the terms of the assignment basically mean the accompanying spouse (i.e. me) would be paid a small amount of compensation/month (ca 5000rmb). So basically considering taking 8-12months off. What would you do?

If you can financially speaking, why not?, you can always try to negotiate with your company to travel less often or change your role with them instead not working at all.

But hey taking this sabbatical can be the opportunity of a lifetime, so why not?

SHJen wrote:Hi, we are considering relocating to Shanghai - my partner has a great job offer however it is proving difficult for me to find work in SH. What's it really like to be an expat wife? What do you do if you have no job or kids? Is it easy to hook up with other expats/expat networks? Have other expat wives/spouses found it difficult to find work when relocating with their partner who has a job already?

Just be prepared to watch him like a hawk to prevent him from partaking in some of the many pleasures Shanghai has to offer.

GhettoJoe wrote:Just be prepared to watch him like a hawk to prevent him from partaking in some of the many pleasures Shanghai has to offer.

No woman can respect a man she has to 'watch like a hawk'; that will surely destroy a relationship faster than any Shanghainese strumpet. Yes there are the many tales of men who get their heads turned here, but what one never hears about are the thousands who don't. For sure this place can put strain on a marriage and if there are already issues, they can be magnified under the pressure, but without a doubt there are a tonne of rock solid partnerships here who have a grand time together on this adventure, but their stories are not salacious, so we will not hear them. As it should be.

I should've joined this forum earlier and this is the exact topic which I am looking into. My husband got a job offer in SH a year ago but the package is not as attractive as it may seemed to be to most people. However I know this is an opportunity that he had been waited for so long and I'm supportive to his decision. The tough part is that I don't really enjoy my life in SH and to me it's a total torture, I miss my hometown everyday everysecond....after all the frustration, depression that i'd went through, i finally accepted the fact and try to be part of SH society by looking for a job, it wasn't easy at all.....

Hi amyphant! I hope u r feeling better. Where about do u live? R there many expat wives or foreign friends around your area? I've been here for 6 months now. There are ups n downs but so far I like it here. My advice is just keep urself busy ( learn chinese or go to the gym or find a friend to explore different restaurant each week). Up until now I havent got any local friends, still work in progress...anyway, looking for a job is a good move! I hope u find one soon!

I'm not an expat wife, but for me what brought me through and is bringing me through the homesickness and initial lack of friends and community here are sports. I play badminton and table tennis and even though I am quite tired after a day at work (intern), I try to go out and play.

I play badminton 3 times a week now and table tennis at least once a week. I've also tried things like indoor rock climbing, and am thinking about picking up tennis.

I guess what I'm saying is, what did you find great in your hometown (or wanted to do before)? Do you have any activities or hobbies that could become a highlight of your day, of your week? - If you can, follow that activity, and you will be able to not only meet more and more people and indirectly lead you out of depression, but also immediately make you happy and give you something to look forward to.

GhettoJoe wrote:

SHJen wrote:Just be prepared to watch him like a hawk to prevent him from partaking in some of the many pleasures Shanghai has to offer.

For those who are looking into cheating (men or women), they will be always opportunities ALWAYS. Shanghai may offer MORE opportunities (to men) but at the end of the day is a choice you make based on how much or how little you care for the other person.

You can't watch like a hawk somebody 24/7, if they want they will cheat on you no matter what you do.

vevelyntan wrote:2) Language is tough, I have zero knowledge on Chinese. I want to learn. Is there anyone you can recommend to tutor me (at home)? And how much would it cost me?

5) Any jobs I can get that doesn't require me to speak English?

Thanks a lot!
Vets

Hm...What sort of job are you looking for? Do you speak any other "international" language? I see a lot of job postings for "communications specialist" that require fluency in Spanish, Japanese, and German. I think those may be call center jobs.

Anyway, with a new born baby, you might want to consider staying at home for a while to take care of your child...unless your hubby's job doesn't provide enough for your family. When your baby gets a little bigger, then maybe you can take up some work. There are some work-at-home options that you can find online.