why I left Beijing + where I'm moving next 🌏 pros & cons of living in Beijing

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In this video, I sit down and chat with you about my real and honest experience living in Beijing, China: the pros and cons of living in Beijing vs Guangzhou, my observations while living and working in both cities, and how I decided to leave Beijing and move to Guangzhou, because at this point in my life Beijing is no longer worth it.
🔖 CHAPTERS
00:00 intro
00:53 why i moved to Beijing
02:00 my personal reasons for leaving Beijing
04:22 diversity of lifestyle in Beijing
06:08 (toxic) hustle culture in Beijing
07:23 Beijing's unique style
09:34 cost of living in Beijing
10:19 rent in Beijing vs Guangzhou
11:05 a big city, but affordable
12:30 Guangzhou is chill
13:55 food heaven of China
14:36 Guangzhou's culture
16:08 the weather
17:28 what's next
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🎵 MUSIC
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🔗 LINKS
beijing diaries: • 🍜BEIJING DIARIES 🍜
how i lost my apartment in beijing: • how i lost my apartmen...
a beijing vlog from @ItsYuyan (to give you an idea of what beijing's like from another lens): • LIFE IN CHINA (for a w...
🙋🏻‍♀️ HELLO
hi i'm Evelyn. thanks for stopping by!
➭ where are you located? Guangzhou, China
➭ what do you do? i'm a full time content creator
➭ really? you can support yourself with 8k subscribers? not really. i'm investing my savings in a future of (hopefully) not having to go back to corporate...
➭ why do you speak English in your videos? because I paid too much tuition to American universities
✨ SUBSCRIBE
...to hop on the journey of a 29 year old who just escaped corporate, is STILL finding herself, and will forever be in denial about turning 30 in...no let's talk about something else!
Edited with Gling AI: bit.ly/46bGeYv & FinalCut Pro

[@jamessmith1652]

I'm shocked how much cheaper Guangzhou is even though it's still a tier 1 city. You did well to leave Beijing after not very long. Many people get "stuck" in capital cities and eventually leave (as do most their friends) but wish they had the courage to do it earlier.

[@joanthechin]

I started watching your videos last year when I was dreaming of moving to Beijing for a year. I'm finally moving to Beijing next month and now I find out you're leaving! Just wanted to let you know your content has been so helpful for me and I can't wait to discover the city I've seen through your videos. Wishing you all the best, Evelyn ❤

[@tapiocapress]

omg all the best on your journey to Beijing! Although I had to leave, all the amazing things and communities and people I loved are still in Beijing. I hope you have a lovely time!!

[@eglegleglegle]

I admire how well spoken you are, the story telling is so great!

[@TheodoroOrtiz]

Hi Evelyn, I discovered your channel when my wife and I set the goal of traveling to China. Every time you share a video, we learn from your experiences and we're thankful for your content. I know that what you have recently gone through has been difficult, and I hope that soon, in your new experiences, you can find something to look back on happily. Greetings from Peru ! :)

[@tapiocapress]

I’m very very grateful to have you and your wife on this little corner of the internet. Thank you for taking time to really listen to the story of a random stranger on the internet. I’ve never been to Peru, and knowing someone there are watching my life’s story is insane. That makes KZbin a magical and meaningful space. I hope you take care:)

[@_luuwlinh_]

I love your vibe! You speak very gently and comfortably. I am 26 years old and also on a journey of personal development.

[@enione]

i always find it funny how much i relate to every video you upload. our circumstances are really different but our struggles are somewhat similar lol. always moving and changing and having to figure ourselves out again and again to me at least you're the realeast youtuber out there! hope you adjust well and keep your motivation :)

[@lilianf73]

Omg I got tons of work to do but I can't stop watching your videos!! 😍

[@mattturner2210]

Wonderful visuals in the video! I visited Guangzhou in 2007 for a poetry festival and was really impressed. Best of luck on your endeavors there.

[@tapiocapress]

thank you🥰 wow I didn't know there'd be poetry festivals in Guangzhou! Would love to go if there still is one...

[@gabrieltan195]

A huge welcome to Guangzhou from Book and Fun! Berry and I are so looking forward to seeing you again. But first of all, enjoy settling down!

[@tapiocapress]

ahhh thank you!!! Hope to see you around soon🥰

[@anaroute]

love your videos' style! bing watching now :)

[@keishypoo9769]

Looking forward to seeing your adventures in your new city.

[@tapiocapress]

Thank you!!🥰

[@QueenXKnit]

Thank you for sharing your life journey with so much honesty ❤❤❤❤

[@gp4141]

I visited Beijing for a month this summer. I enjoyed the convenience of traveling about the city by subway, bike rental, or just walking. Compared to my bicycle journeys in Europe, I felt more safe riding (and safe in general) in Beijing. Also compared to riding in the states, the traffic felt more considerate and mindful. And I was particularly moved at how traffic quietly deferred to grandmas walking their grandchild across the street-it was beautiful.

[@Jazba-lifestyle]

Loved listening to your ramblings and the facts your shared and your experience , Beijing sounds quite snobbish and the guangdong sounds like a nice neighbourhood feels .

[@solusange]

This is very late from when you posted but ahhh just discovered your channel through this vid and I love your content! I was born in the states but my family is originally from Guangzhou so thanks for sharing all of the amazing qualities about it 💛

[@Wintersglow]

Oooh my home town! I'm excited to see your guangzhou vlogs❤

[@tapiocapress]

Can't wait to see more of Guangzhou!

[@bethany8906]

happy for you :) thanks for sharing !

[@tapiocapress]

🥰🥰🥰

[@xiaomainmelbourne4453]

Very good explanation video, please keep up the good work 👍👍

[@MissKriekentaart]

I had never heard of Guangzhou (except from your video), but I am excited to get to know the city through your channel!❤

[@tapiocapress]

I'm excited to explore the city too🥰

[@scotttan6377]

For what it's worth , always enjoy hearing your perspectives and self-reflection . Exploring the different life experiences like now living in Guangzhou , I hope it will help narrow and define what you are looking for . Regarding this YT platform , wonder if you've considered creating two channels to drive subscribers - the current one where you talk about yourself and a second channel that's more "theme" driven be it a foodie channel or expoloring tourists sites and showcasing what they have to offer in terms of sites, prices, places to eat , logistics getting there, places to stay for foriegners , etc. Looking forward towards the next episode about living in Guangzhou. Might need to update your 'About' page . ;-)

[@tapiocapress]

Oh haha thanks for the tip, it's time to make some updates isn't it🙈 I'm still trying to figure out a balance on making content that are true to my heart vs ones that have popular appeal. Thanks for offering your perspective:)

[@jjhollenkoppell2975]

I really enjoyed this wealth of tidbits vid you shared with us. I am moving to China soon to teach, and i am trying to decide what is the best city to move to that i will be comfortable and that provides ambient environment. thank you i will continue to follow you

[@charlescunningham2097]

Such great content. I agree with so much you talked about. I can't believe what a difference in rent prices. I am sure you could get even a little cheaper in Shenyang. Great view from the roof top there! The bug flying at you was funny, it made me laugh. I kept replaying it. Lol. I didn't realize you grew up in Shenyang...so interesting.

[@nurulmutmainnah4201]

Sad that you left beijing. I’ve been subscribing and watching your videos since I decided to move Beijing early this year. Enjoy and inspire me how to live alone here. Totally agree with some of things you mentioned about Beijing, here is hella expensive especially for accommodation. Hope you have a better and wonderful life in Guangzhou 😄

[@tapiocapress]

All the best in Beijing:)

[@mariusmatei2946]

Watching your video, which I thoroughly enjoyed, was an affirmation/confirmation to me that, perhaps, due to their status as some of the most prominent cities in the World, living in Tokyo, Shanghai, and/or Beijing can be, both, a privilege, and an oppressive experience. While cities like Tianjin, Osaka, and/or Nagoya are, usually, thought of as "secondary cities", in their respective countries, the life in these cities has a far lower stifling feeling to it, than it does in Tokyo, Shanghai, Beijing. @tapiocapress

[@navesh]

Welcome to Guangdong! Do visit Zhuhai if you get a chance. A very laid back coastal city with a decent variety of cafes, restaurants and niche bars. Our beach in the city is not the best, but with a 40 - 50 minutes ferry you can access a variety of the outer islands of Zhuhai.

[@tapiocapress]

Wow! I've never been to zhuhai and would love to check it out!

[@ritcchy]

Also walk across the border to Macao 😊

[@tapiocapress]

@@ritcchy Never been to Macau, would love to go!

[@dxelson]

@@tapiocapress wohoo! from Macau!

[@sarah_109]

my boyfriend is from 饶平 but his family lives in 番禺, 广州 now. we went to visit them in april and we had a great time 🥰 I wish you all the best in Guangzhou and am curious for your next videos 😊

[@tapiocapress]

wow I've been to 番禺 a couple of times, need to go again soon!

[@purepleasure9771]

nice video good luck with your bussines I'll be watching

[@tapiocapress]

Thank you!

[@brianwaite3155]

Guangzhou is amazing! Absolutely enjoy every time i visit there

[@tapiocapress]

There's so much to explore here...can't wait to see more of the city!

[@RoadDestination]

Been there, but haven't seen too much, had some logistical issues and a distracted mind. The few hours exploring left me with a first impression of chaotic :)

[@tapiocapress]

Beijing is still pretty chaotic😂 but worth visiting again!

[@RoadDestination]

@@tapiocapress Haha, I was referring to Guangzhou. I love Beijing, easy to navigate lots of things to see and do and for Chinese standards foreigner friendly. That is some English spoken and 'easy' Chinese accent. Only in some Tibetan parts of Sichuan I found 'easier' to understand Chinese, like we were learning Chinese from the same textbook🤣🤣

[@michaelupham6331]

Everything you say about the toxic culture of Beijing is sooo true! Crossing roads in BJ is an Olympic sport. And I hope you enjoy Babel, it's soooooo good

[@tapiocapress]

haha I love beijing so much but...it's not easy to cross the roads there without a heart attack😂 Can't wait to read Babel!!

[@beatricewan9958]

Sooner or later, you will also find Guangzhou toxic, with your kind of mindset!

[@jiffyangel]

I appreciate you making amazing content. I wish I could meet you and try your cookies. I live in Fuzhou City right now, and I feel like it's hard to find good cookies here 😅

[@tapiocapress]

Thank youuu❤️ Ahh I miss Fuzhou! Wish I could go back!

[@SomethingNick]

So interested in your channel, I'm in the UK on a visa and really want to quit my job and try my own thing but deportation 👀 tempted to move home so I'm not tied down with visa requirements like you!

[@jeffrey5602]

I think Chengdu would suit you well, its the perfect combo of big city vibes and laid back people and the weather should be more ur thing. And the food 😍😍😍

[@tapiocapress]

I really liked chengdu when I visited as a tourist!!

[@VitaminSea08]

Hey! I had a similar experience. Due to the pandemic, I returned home from Australia, where I was studying and working. I first came back to Beijing since it's close to my hometown in the northern part of China. However, I found that the lack of freedom, especially the 户口 system, was a significant issue. While I had some concerns about it, talking to my colleagues made me realize how much this concerned many people. I began to feel like I was becoming someone I didn't want to be in a place with limited freedom, regardless of how much money I earned. So, I decided to go a similar path to yours and moved to Shenzhen, a city known for its greater freedom and relatively easier access to 户口😂. So far, it's been a positive change. I found a different job in a different industry and enjoy a more liberated lifestyle. I hope you'll also find the same freedom and, by the way, the food in Guangzhou is excellent - i put on 10kg during hotel quarantine while flying back to china amidst the pandemic.

[@themrturtletech]

Contrary to what you said, in my experience there is some unlicensed street food in Beijing. In my neighborhood they sell it late at night or on the weekend. The police will only enforce the rules during part of the day lol.

[@themrturtletech]

(Fengtai district)

[@brybryBillions]

Food from all the provinces in Beijing is incredible. But I love Guangzhou for the lifestyle. And Dim Sum!

[@tapiocapress]

Yess! I’m still yet to have dim sum this year. Must be done soon😍

[@LS-zt3xz]

You should definitely come to Europe next! I have a feeling you would enjoy living in a city like Berlin.

[@tapiocapress]

Berlin is actually very high on my list of cities to potentially move to!

[@tims4777]

Your English is so perfect, I used to wonder "Where did she learn Chinese?" Enjoyed the video.

[@tapiocapress]

Ah haha thank you. Glad you liked the video!

[@szpaqus]

I'd love if you could do a book review when you're done with Babel ;)

[@tapiocapress]

Ahhh I can't wait to get into it! definitely making content to share the experience of reading babel in guangzhou...so excited!

[@thejujufish]

welcome to 大廣東! if you ever wanna visit Dongguan, hit me up!!

[@tapiocapress]

Thank youuu🥰

[@duaneowens7777]

Hi whoch counyry are you from. Great video

[@Adrian-bv5xn]

Come to Frankfurt am Main :) the most Chinese city in Germany

[@innerconflictqueen]

I’ve seen so many of your videos and literally thought you were American before watching this 🤯

[@LECityLECLEC]

Wow u sold me on guangzhou lol!

[@edamametan2025]

广州住民路过。。。东莞来的。超爱广州

[@HelmetVanga]

You speak English well, what was your major in US university?

[@RalphDratman]

You mentioned that you grew up in China... may I ask in what part? Because I studied some Mandarin at UC Berkeley a long time ago, I would enjoy hearing you speak at least a few words of Chinese from time to time. Thanks!

[@dxelson]

Where did you grow up? Did you live abroad after being born in Shenyang? You look and talk very much like a foreigner (someone that has never been to China) :o

[@user-pe5ow5ox9v]

广州也很贵吧，感觉没比北京便宜太多啊……

[@qake2021]

👏👏👏😃😃😃😃😃👍👍👍

[@iilcw6195]

The 2 easy way to stay in EU : Spouse visa or PGWP

[@tapiocapress]

visas scare me so much🙈

[@iilcw6195]

Spouse visa is much better. Long distance relationship is not a good idea .

[@yeboluo]

Third option (especially if you're serious about moving to Berlin): student visa. It's free to study in Germany (yes, every type of degree, yes, every type of person - both local and overseas). You can only work a certain amount of hours per week on the side but I think if you can split living expenses with a partner who has a FT income it might be doable!

[@tapiocapress]

@@yeboluo omg that's so helpful. I had no idea all degrees were free in Germany AND you can work on the side. Definitely looking into it. Thanks a ton!

[@faizfadillah5774]

Beijing 🇨🇳🌏❤

[@pranavsimha9160]

Why would you wanna leave China?

[@ryanzhang701]

不知道，她应该是会说中文的吧？目标群体明显不是华人群体。

[@user-ru1ll2nw5c]

香港开放了优才计划，可以去香港试试，广州已经快沦为二线城市了，高端岗位明显不如上海北京深圳，城市破破烂烂的，没意思

[@botzlittle]

Agreed… I’m from Beijing but increasingly I find Beijing to be more depressing to live in. The vibrant and diverse culture in Beijing during the 2008 Olympics period is most gone. They also “fixed” a lot of the hutongs so the downto earth vibe is gone. There’s nothing much left for you to live there so I truly support your decision to move somewhere else. Summer is hot everywhere this year.

[@tapiocapress]

I moved to Beijing in 2021 and have heard so much about the "olden days" when the hutong shops were not destroyed. Wish I could be there earlier. 2022 was a tough year to be in Beijing too. I still love Beijing but it's really just not worth it anymore:(

[@botzlittle]

@@tapiocapress Yeah, of all the places they "fixed", Sanlitun is by far the most disappointing. There used to be a very old street behind Taiguli (it was used to be called Village) where on one side are malatang vendors and on the other side are bars. Both local people and expats would hang out. It's very chaotic but in a good way. My expat friends and I all loved that street. Now it's replaced with two sterile-looking book stores. So sad.

[@tapiocapress]

@@botzlittle Ahh I think I know which bookstores you were talking about 😂such a bummer we can only live through these chaotic but amazing times in people's memories now:(

[@botzlittle]

​@@tapiocapress Anyway, looking forward to your videos about Guangzhou.

[@kuniguo3562]

为什么姐英文那么好 好多怪单词 学不完

[@user-mq8gk5sc5m]

一坤年！！！！！！！！！！！

[@sawyermcgill2799]

What would happen if her hands were tied?

[@abugomana2648]

her head will do the job

[@ericZ9934]

小姐姐英文说的真溜，正如你在视频中说到的，你是在中国长大，去国外读过几年书。英语口语说这么溜真是厉害。我开始以为你是ABC呢。

[@AntiWar_dude]

going to usa to face discrimination ?lol

[@harisadu8998]

Europe is a nice place but economically quite dead.

[@pollarsurname5829]

Pretty honest reviews about Beijing