by Magnolia » Fri Oct 21, 2005 9:34 am
The housing allowence should be increased. USD800 is less than should be offered when the salary is USD60,000.
Taxes will have to be paid in China (it is a graduating scale, but at 60,000 you are at the upper end); you are still under the cap for US taxes, but there will be some that have to be paid. I would contact your tax attorney or an accountant who works with expats to find out what the numbers will be.
Daycare allowence? How is that defined? How old is your child? International kindergardens run between USD6000 and USD12000 annually. I just want to make sure that the daycare allowence the company is offering isn't the hiring of a baby ayi to take care of the child.
Most of Shanghai is safe. And you will be able to find an apartment in a good complex for that amount. Shanghai is divided by a river, with the downtown part of the city called Puxi and the newer area across the river, called Pudong. Where will your husbands office be? Both sides of the river have compounds that will work for your needs.
Cost of living in Shanghai is roughly the same as in the US. Local goods are very inexpensive but imported goods are very expensive so it seems to balance out. Of course, one can live for next to nothing here. Transportation costs (taxis) are very inexpensive. General utilities are for the most part less than in the US (although heating and air conditioning can be a bit higher in the ultra hot and cold months... this is really due to the fact that not many apartments have central air, insulation is rare and double-paned windows are a luxury).
Ahhhh... just saw that the USD60,000 was after taxes... ignore all that tax talk above... sorry for missing it. The housing allowence should definately be increased.
Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it. - Mahatma Gandhi
