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Life in New York is Tough for Me Why compare steak, a western food in China? Of course that's going to run you big bucks. Because you are paying the bulk for a western lifestyle. How much would it cost to have a two dishes (meat or vegetable) of Chinese food in New York Chinatown? $10 - $15, and factor in TIPS and Taxes, that's about $20. Can one get two Chinese dishes for RMB20 in Shanghai? By the way, meat or vegetable cost about the same in New York. |
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Car Numbers Explode in Shanghai Shanghai is very similar to New York City with their overreaching public transportation systems. Although many people who reside in New York indeed do not need a car for work or shopping, they do use one for weekend excursions. With the huge populations in both places, I see a car more like a personal freedom ticket to get away, zipping to a place without the crowds. And save the city for the tourists. As for the people in Shanghai, sure, having your neighbor see you in a shiny BMW, or any other car in China for that matter, can win you a lot of credos. But do so only if your income warrants that expense. Aside from gassing up, maintenace charges and upkeeping, there's a lot of "social" costs, such as your seldom talked to aunt-in-law requests a ride to the airport. And who's going to pay the bridge tolls? Multiply this by the many relatives and friends that you have. Perhaps Shangahi should experiment with a concept like "ZIP" rental car. Patrons can use and pay for a vehicle when they need it, and the charges are a factor of time used and location served. This can cut down the all the costs associated with owning your own vehicle. |
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Life in New York is Tough for Me Did anyone factor in the taxes (Federal, State, and City taxes and Social Security) in New York City when doing the cost comparison? What about the 8.65 sales tax? Is there sales tax in Shanghai? No way that a two bedroom apartment costs 300-400K in New York. either the poster is quoting a statistics that's twenty years old or he/she is citing apartment values in the Bronx (SLUM). For any decent housing, it's about $1000 per square feet. Two bedroom is about average $900K-1.2 M in an average location! And what about those $$$$ maintenance charges in those apartments after you have bought it? Oh, forgot to state the property taxes (State and County). Also, let's not forget the tipping cost (15%) for a meal in New York. Do not ever forget TIPS in New York! What about the security cost? Do women feel safe taking the $2 subway late at night in New York? And if not, what do they take? Taxi, which is about average $8 - $12 per trip, plus tip. So, please factor these costs in your analysis |