Damn Straight I'm Staying in Shenzhen!!!
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Hey, friends, have you ever wondered why so many people who come to Shenzhen seem like they've put down roots, never wanting to leave? What exactly is the charm of this place?
I'll tell you. A couple days ago, I was scrolling through my phone when I came across a post with a catchy title: "F*ck it, I’ll stay in Shenzhen for the rest of my life!!!" (Literal translation for impact)
Haha, I was immediately curious and clicked to take a look. It turned out that there were contrasting opinions under this post, creating an almost "heaven and hell" split:
- Some warned against it, saying urgently, "Leave right away! Don't come to Shenzhen; you'll regret it!"
- Others encouraged, "Absolutely you should venture here! Big cities offer great opportunities. Shenzhen has become my second hometown, and I'll never leave!"
Seriously, all kinds of opinions made me laugh, which also got me thinking: More than a year has passed since I came to Shenzhen. What's Shenzhen given me?
Do you remember when I just arrived in Shenzhen, dragging this big suitcase along with a large crowd, moving about in the magnificent "Shenzhen North Station" (which is a huge station, an important transportation hub too!)? Back then, my heart raced: "Wow, this really is a major city! Isn't even this train station way classier than those in small places from my hometown! I must thrive here and stick around."
- But hold your horses, friends! Let me issue a little Cultural Shock warning here:
- Walking into the famous "urban villages" – these are packed apartment blocks and narrow alleyways where buildings are old – when entering my rented single room, I froze!
- My mind was like frozen cold shower: "This… this is too small! It's nothing like what I imagined!"
- Is this still the "everywhere-dense-in-gold" and "glowing and brilliant everywhere" Shenzhen I had in mind?
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A reminder for those considering coming to Shenzhen:
- Many people opt for living in urban villages to save money after arriving.
- The advantage is that the daily expense is relatively lower and the traffic connection is still quite convenient.
- However, the disadvantage lies in the cramped living conditions and the relatively aged facilities. So don’t idealize Shenzhen as flawless, be mentally prepared for accommodation, especially at first.
Haha, looking back now, I truly was ignorant. Even though I’m not yet a big boss, my life is relatively comfortable overall.
I've already moved out of that small "urban village" single room and am now cohabitating with my girlfriend in an apartment one-bedroom which costs about 2000 RMB monthly, twice wider now. As for my job, doing sales, I feel basically satisfactory. During good sales, I can make ten thousand or more in a month, and even if the conditions are average, I can keep stable around eight to ten thousand yuan every month. I feel that I've somewhat taken foothold in Shenzhen now, and I believe that with efforts, things will only get better, gradually achieving various goals in my mind!
Keep working hard on your path guys! I wish you grow increasingly stronger!
If anyone wants to share the experiences you encountered in Shenzhen from the beginning, such as adapting better now, please feel free to comment below!
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Based in Futian. My salary was 8K/month when I arrived, and it hit 80K by the time I left this year. I've moved to a new place now, with the same income. I just couldn't stand the rat race, the humid weather, and how everyone seemed solely driven by profit. So, I'm out!
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Same here. My 'monthly salary' went from 15,000K in March to 960,000K when I 'left' in May. I've got to get out of this city. I mean, on Xiaohongshu, everyone's supposedly worth over 100 million. I wouldn't dare show my income or tax slips if anyone asked!
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I'm in Nanshan, Shenzhen. I finish work after 10 PM every day. Yep, working for one of those 'shoot for the moon' tech companies, probably feels like I'm the only one there at night. I get back to my rental, blink, and it's time to grind again. Just another highly educated cog in the machine.
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That's some next-level humblebragging, isn't it?
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Ten years ago, I came to Shenzhen with just 1,000 yuan to try and make it. Now, I have pretty much everything. Thank you, Shenzhen! And I only have a vocational college diploma.
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I came to Shenzhen in 2019, single at the time. Now I've got a wife, kids, a house, and a car. Shenzhen is truly a fantastic place! The climate is great, services across all sectors are excellent, and government departments are incredibly efficient. This city is perfect for those without connections, money, or a network – if you work hard and head in the right direction, you can make your fortune relatively quickly.
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As someone who grew up in Shenzhen – a 'second-generation local' – I find the city too frenetic and don't want to stay. Even though my job and income are decent, I just don't feel a sense of belonging.
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A 'second-generation local,' eh? That reminds me of the saying: 'Some are born in Rome, while others don't even know how to spell it.'
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Shenzhen is even more of a pressure cooker than Beijing.
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Haha, totally.
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I've lost my drive. When I first came to Shenzhen, in my first year, everything felt so new and exciting. Now, in my third year, all I feel is exhaustion from work.
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Looking back on these three years, what do you feel you've gained?
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After 18 years, I finally left.
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Oh, I was wondering what was up with you!
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I'm about to graduate and start an internship. Planning to come to Shenzhen to work and do some exploring on the side.
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Go for it! You got this!
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I hate Shenzhen!
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If you hate Shenzhen, then what city do you like?
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It's been ten years since I moved to Shenzhen from Hangzhou. I've bought a house and car, started a company, and opened a shop here. I'll most likely retire in this city.