Hangzhou Exodus? The No-BS Reasons People Are Bailing.
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Alright, I'll lay this out for you so that you can understand clearly what's going on!
I recently heard that some friends in Hangzhou are "fleeing," and I found out that there's a reason behind it – it's not too hard to comprehend, really. It's much like when we climb a mountain; after reaching the summit, we might need to take a break, or explore a different trail just to enjoy the scenery. Hangzhou has developed rapidly over the years, so it's quite reasonable that it needs to cool off a bit.
I've been listening to opinions from many "Hangzhou drifters" (those who work and live in Hangzhou but aren't locals), and here are several reasons I have heard:
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Too many people! Everywhere crowded!
- Imagine, Hangzhou is already a famous tourist destination with popular sites such as West Lake and Lingyin Temple, where tourists swarm year-round. Add to that the locals who already reside here, and you feel like you're constantly being crowded.
- The roads are congested, and the subway is packed like sardines, while tourist attractions are filled to the brim. It is said that Hangzhou's population density isn't small, and compared to cities of similar size (like its neighbor Nanjing, another ancient capital), it has a few million more residents!
- More people lead to high demand for everyday necessities. Although Hangzhou has a lot of delicious food options, most ingredients must be transported from elsewhere, which makes dining quite expensive. Inflation-wise, prices are approaching those in Shanghai, making our wallets shake!
️ Travel tip / Warning:
- Avoiding crowds: If you're planning to visit Hangzhou, try to avoid Chinese statutory holidays such as National Day and Labor Day. For popular sites, aim for earlier mornings or weekdays.
- Transportation tips: Even though the metro can be crowded, it is punctual. For shorter distances, bikesharing is also a good choice and lets you experience street views.
- Budget preparation: Be mentally prepared that costs in Hangzhou are not low. Pre-order meals, hotels, etc., online in advance to compare prices.
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Money gone, heart worn out!
- While this may not greatly impact visitors, it is indeed the sentiment felt by many "Hangzhou drifters." Although job opportunities in Hangzhou are plentiful, competition is equally fierce, and overtime work is the norm, colloquially referred to as "internal competition" – an extremely intense form of rivalry that leads everyone to feel exhausted.
- Hard work does not necessarily lead to better salaries, as wages in Hangzhou may not differ significantly from those in Nanjing and Suzhou (also renowned prosperous cities nearby). However, housing prices and living costs in Hangzhou are notably higher.
- If after putting in all that effort, one realizes that not much money has been saved up, switching places to develop seems plausible.
- ️ Travel tip / Warning:
- Although this mainly reflects the hardships faced by local office workers (employed individuals), it indirectly demonstrates that spending here is truly costly. When eating or purchasing items in scenic areas, compare prices at different stores or seek recommendations from locals to avoid being scammed.
Of course, these are merely opinions that I've heard. Hangzhou is still beautiful and has its unique charm. Feel free to share your thoughts if you have any other perspectives!
#HangzhouImpressions #TouristGuide #CityObservations
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Even as a Hangzhou local, I'm thinking of leaving this city.
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I'm just trying to find out where there aren't as many people from Henan and Anhui.
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LOL, Hangzhou is practically a second home for people from Henan.
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It's not just you guys. My family has been here for three generations, and even we're thinking about leaving Hangzhou now.
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Didn't hit the jackpot with a demolition payout, huh?
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The cost of living here is so high, even I, a local, can't stand staying in Hangzhou.
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I don't want to stay in Hangzhou either.
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I clocked 189 hours last month, and I'm still working shifts at this time of night. There's absolutely no joy in this.
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Worked 237 hours, and my take-home pay was only 4700.
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This commenter makes a pretty fair point.
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More like middle class chasing a slightly more upscale, trendy lifestyle.
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I visited Shanghai for a few days recently, and honestly, prices there were lower than in Hangzhou, and the food was better too. I'm talking about everyday, affordable meals for regular folks.
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I was in the Jing'an area last week, and even cigarettes were about 3 yuan cheaper there than in Hangzhou.
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The value for money here isn't great. Just yesterday, I was on a job app and saw companies that used to offer two-day weekends now switching to alternating one or two days off. Even worse, some companies that already had alternating weekends are now penalizing employees with only one day off a week for the whole next month if monthly targets aren't met. It's ridiculous!
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The beauty and hairdressing industry seems to be the most lucrative business in Hangzhou.
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As a local, I'd say Hangzhou isn't ideal for working-class people. The pay doesn't match the expenses, and you could easily spend more than half your salary just on rent.
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What you earn in Hangzhou, stays in Hangzhou. Don't expect to save a penny to take home.
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Everything's getting more expensive, but wages are dropping. What choice do we have but to leave?