Hangzhou: Just HOW Bad Is It?! My Unfiltered Take.

[Andrea Hand]

Alright, dear friends who plan to pursue career opportunities or travel in Hangzhou, feel free to ask any questions, and I'll try my best to answer them.

First, let me share my story:
I’m an Inner Mongolian girl who has been working hard in Hangzhou for the last two years. "Inner Mongolian" refers to Inner Mongolia, a large autonomous region located in northern China with its magnificent grasslands and swift horse riding. People often joke about whether I had ridden horses all the way through school, but that's just part of our culture! As for the term "female toughie," it describes the straightforward and not spoilt nature of a woman. By the way, many women from Inner Mongolia can wrestle and shoot bows proficiently; so don't easily pick a fight with us (just kidding!).

Why Hangzhou?
Well, before coming here, I hesitated for quite some time. On one hand, it would involve leaving home and building a life in an unfamiliar city; on the other hand, I was sent here with a company project, yet there was still much concern over the company's stability.
Yet, I’ve always dreamed of a platform where my skills could be applied. Considering that Hangzhou is renowned for being a hub of e-commerce (well-known companies like Alibaba have their headquarters here), and is also a new major city in constant rapid development (this means it doesn’t carry the long history of Beijing and Shanghai but is rapidly evolving into a significant bustling metropolis), eventually I made up my mind to give Hangzhou a try. Now I call myself a ‘Hangzhou drift’ (a term used to describe people moving to Hangzhou from other parts of China to pursue career opportunities).

Now, based on my two-year experience in this city, I’d like to share my real-life impressions with you:

Environment:
Pros: both air quality and climate are particularly comfortable, with a high humidity. My skin, which was previously sensitive and prone to acne, has become noticeably healthier after living in Hangzhou due to how nourishing the environment is. The whole city is filled with natural scenery and greenery, making bike rides around the city after work incredibly soothing and uplifting.
Cons: It feels like more than half of the year experiences prolonged cloudy weather, particularly fine drizzles that may dampen plans to go out. However, I've slowly grown accustomed to it as time passed.

️ Food experience:
Pros: Hangzhou cuisine is generally light-flavoured. Local specialities include soft, chewy desserts, world-renowned Longjing tea, and traditional soy-sauce-cured ducks.
Cons: With a preference for greasy, spicy and robust dishes, the taste profiles often available in Hangzhou restaurants, especially Northern-style ones that've adapted to local preferences, might end up being rather bland. My biggest challenge is finding satisfactory Northern-style foods here. Are there any culinary lists available? Please recommend something in the comments below!

Cost of living:
Pros: Compared to Beijing, housing standards in Hangzhou are pretty decent. With approximately RMB 2,000 per month (US$ 300), you can secure a clean single room with an independent bathroom. Daily expenditures are a tad cheaper, too, with snacks sold at street stalls everywhere, which definitely adds to the fun!
Cons: If your budget is tight, avoid considering staying in the Binjiang District or the Shangcheng District. The consumption level in these two regions tends to be slightly higher compared to others, but population density is lower. Nightlife feels empty and quiet, leading me to question if Hangzhou is really a megacity despite the rapid growth.

Job Opportunities:
Pros: Hangzhou teems with young professionals, giving it an energetic atmosphere. Job opportunities are abundant, especially in e-commerce and internet-related industries. Work environments generally foster an atmosphere conducive to career progression and networking. High-speed urban development and adaptation to new information help bolster job growth.
Cons: Start-up companies are pervasive, although, they may come with unregulated operations and management. Salaries commonly operate on a performance-based pay scale, rendering base rates lower. Overtime is commonplace, but much of this appears unnecessary (“ineffective overtime”). Job competition exists, of course.

Anyway, the above represent my personal views and may not be universally reflective. Whether choosing to drift in big cities like Hangzhou and Beijing or opting for rural life back at home, each choice comes with advantages and challenges. Just make sure you never end up regretting your decision!