I Left The U.S. For Shenzhen, China – Here's How Much It Costs

Summary

Bradley, an American who grew up in a small Colorado town, enjoys the contrast between Shenzhen’s historic neighborhoods and its fast-growing, futuristic skyline. He moved there to teach English, later returned with his wife and children, and now works as a marketing manager. He says the city’s affordable services, public transit, food, and education make family life appealing, though it also has its frustrations.

Lifestyle and family

Bradley and his wife have two children. Their children hear French from their mother, English from Bradley, and learn Mandarin at school.

He says raising children in Shenzhen is relatively affordable: tuition and food for both children cost about $300 per six-month semester. He also values the sense of safety he feels as a parent, while noting that city life can mean limited personal space.

Bradley warns that scooters are ubiquitous and often ride unpredictably on sidewalks and roads. He says he has been hit by them several times. He also cautions foreigners to follow visa rules, noting that overstaying can lead to deportation.

Costs and practical details

• Income: His base pay as a marketing manager is about $3,500 per month. Income from TikTok and Instagram brings his total to more than $4,500 per month.
• Rent: About $1,000 per month for a three-bedroom apartment in a good part of the city. It has one bathroom, a balcony, and a room used as a playroom.
• Utilities and services: Internet costs about $29 per month, electricity nearly $100, and health coverage for Bradley and his two children about $90 per month.
• Transportation: A subway ride for Bradley and his wife costs around 60 cents, while children ride free. Their total monthly transportation costs are under $50. He also mentions a driverless taxi ride that cost just under $1.
• Groceries: A full cart at Walmart can cost about $100 for the family. Examples include a whole chicken for $5, a crate of eggs for about $2.50, and discounted chicken for $1.

Bradley advises boiling tap water before drinking it.

Convenience and city life

Shenzhen’s subway stations often connect to underground shopping malls. Delivery services can bring items or meals within roughly 15 minutes, and Bradley says a delivery robot can carry orders to his apartment door.

He uses a biometric handprint payment system to buy coconut water without a phone or wallet. He describes Shenzhen as a blend of Silicon Valley and New York City, while pointing out that nearby older areas such as Nanshan Village feel markedly different from the modern city center.

Notable locations, products, and speaker

• Locations: Shenzhen; Nanshan Village; Guangdong province; Hong Kong; Colorado; Tahiti; Walmart.
• Products and services: Shenzhen’s subway, driverless taxis, delivery robots, biometric handprint payments, and school meals.
• Speaker: Bradley, an American living in Shenzhen with his wife and two children. The subtitles render his surname as “Cray,” while the video metadata spells it “Krae.”