My status: Single
Living:
Shanghai: One bedroom and one living room (totally 21 m2), downtown (zhongshan park), family owned property, no rent. 200RMB, in average, every month for electricity, gas, water and managing fees.
Montreal: One bedroom and one living room (totally 48 m2), downtown (Concordia, high-building), 785$, all included.
Food:
The markets in shanghai have more choices than that in montreal but Montreal is better in food’s quality. Usually spend 250$ on food in Montreal. Have never counted the expense on food in shanghai.
Out-going dinner:
Shanghai: 1-2 times per week, 60RMB, in average, for one person each meal.
Montreal: 1-2 times per week, 20$, tips included, in average, for one person each meal.
Clothing:
Shanghai: 1-2 new cloths every month. Usual brands, Jeanswest, H&M, sometimes a few Esprits in Outlets. 300-400rmb per month.
Montreal: 1-2 new cloths every month. Usual brands, Esprits, Mexx, Tommy, CK …. 150$ per month approximately.
Transportation:
Shanghai: 300RMB, approximately. By underground and bus. Very few taxis. (I work in zhangjiang area, so spend 10rmb each working day on subway)
Montreal: 67$, monthly pass for subway and bus.
Mobile phone:
Shanghai: 60RMB per month approximately.
Montreal: 32$ per month (150min in day time, unlimited in nights and weekends. Unlimited talking within rogers and fido nets.)
Internet:
Shanghai: 1560RMB per year. 512k.
Montreal: 28$ per month, Acanac, 1M (Another one-time 50$ for modem-guarantee fee, refundable)
Work:
Shanghai: 10am 6pm, Top 100 company. 2 hours on way home or company every day by underground (round trip)
Montreal: 9am 5pm, Top 600 company. 40 minutes on way home or company every day by bus (round trip)
Salary:
Shanghai: all use up, very little balance.
Montreal: a bit balance
Entertainments:
Shanghai: 4 times cinema per month. (100rmb). Pubs & bars 1-2 time every month. (each time at least 60rmb one drink)
Montreal: 1-2 times cinema per month. (12$ each) gone to pub only once. (10$ 2 beers and some potato chips)
Vacation Cost:
Shanghai: domestic Seabeach vacation, 7 days, non peak time, 3000rmb pone person.
Montreal: domestic Sea beach vacation, 8 days, peak time, 500$ one person.
Natural Environment:
No doubt, montreal is much better.
In summary, Shanghai has more fun but easy to use up the money. Montreal, little good restaurants for Chinese but living cost is relatively lower in regarding the income. If you, yourself, cook well or don’t care much about the taste of dishes, Montreal is much better than Shanghai.
好点的店里买件衬衣都不够
