Title: Living in Shenzhen: How an American Teacher Found Affordability and Purpose in China
- Bradley Krae, a 36-year-old from North Carolina, left the United States a decade ago to teach English in Shenzhen, China, and has since built a life he describes...
- He now pays $1,000 per month in rent for his family of four and spends only $100 on groceries, allowing him to save a substantial portion of his...
- Krae’s decision to move abroad was driven by a desire to reduce living costs and increase financial stability, a goal he says has been achieved through lower expenses...
Bradley Krae, a 36-year-old from North Carolina, left the United States a decade ago to teach English in Shenzhen, China, and has since built a life he describes as his own version of the American Dream.
He now pays $1,000 per month in rent for his family of four and spends only $100 on groceries, allowing him to save a substantial portion of his income despite working as an English as a Second Language teacher.
Krae’s decision to move abroad was driven by a desire to reduce living costs and increase financial stability, a goal he says has been achieved through lower expenses in housing, food, and daily living in Shenzhen compared to what he experienced in the U.S.
His experience reflects a broader trend among some American educators seeking affordable lifestyles overseas, particularly in cities like Shenzhen where salaries for ESL teachers typically range between 12,000 and 20,000 RMB per month, according to firsthand accounts from teachers in the city.