Why I'm leaving China after 14 years

After 14 years I decided to leave China, but why? In this video I talk about the different reasons that led my to this life changing decision. Although I have really loved my time in China, I feel like I've come to a point in my life that I want to change things.
Watch all the videos about my decision to leave China here: • I'm leaving China afte...
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→ Why I moved to China: • Why did I move to China?
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[@Philip-lk5db]

I want to go back to China as it’s my ancestors home. I wasn’t born in China but something inside me is telling me that I need to go ‘home’.

[@GoYvon]

I hope you'll be able to, one day in the near future.

[@charleneji6759]

You are one of the first foreigners in China that I follow. Wish you all the best in your new adventure in Portugal.

[@GoYvon]

Thanks! I hope you'll continue to follow me on my new adventure.

[@3d4fun96]

Traveling thousands of miles, reading thousands of books. Same life beliefs, different life experiences. I wish you to find the other side of the ideal shore as soon as possible. Wish all the best.

[@GoYvon]

What a nice thing to say. Thanks!

[@heyheyyouxp]

There’s no ASAP . Everything need time .

[@xiaofengwang9541]

I have lived in the UK for 9 years and I understand your feelings very well. In my last year in the UK, one day I walked on the road and saw the lights in people's homes. I have decided to return to my home country.

[@davidrichards1741]

Yeahbut that's easy to say about the UK. It's such a rat hole now. Everyone wants to leave. Sad. It used to be a good country. Sure not anymore!

[@jm-np4mu]

​@@davidrichards1741In reality the vast majority don't want to leave!

[@davidrichards1741]

@@jm-np4mu Almost all the hong kongers and east asians who moved there sure wanna leave the uk, desperately. Lots of documentaries here in Asia about that fact. Biggest mistake of their life was going to uk

[@davidrichards1741]

@@jm-np4mu Asia is booming, UK is failing

[@yangliu5727]

i lived in sweden for 15 years moved back to china since 2012, really i can understand you very well.

[@GoYvon]

I have family who lives in Sweden!

[@yangliu5727]

@@GoYvon can i add you wechat, become friend before you leave china, i live in shanghai now.😁

[@rhena229]

As we grow older, we all have the desire to be closer to home. I grew up in Shanghai and spent the last thirty years in U.S. Now in my 50s, I want to spend more time back home, be close to my family and relatives.

[@GoYvon]

I hope you'll be able to move closer to them in the near future.

[@BarrettYT]

Good luck in the next chapter of your life Yvonne.

[@GoYvon]

Hi! What a surprise to see you here! Thank you!

[@saarland2china]

It is hard to get comfortable again "back home" once you've been living in China for a long time like we did (6yrs in Harbin). Still today after being in Germany for 4 years I'd still say I feel more home and comfy and "settled" in Harbin than in Berlin but I'm getting there. Nevertheless I can understand many reasons you are talking about! I also had the feeling that I "plateaued" to normal in Harbin but now I realised that life in China was AMAZING , whereas here it is just the real normal again. But after 5,6,7,8 or even 14 years in China you just don't get the same feeling of the first few years anyomore. I completely understand! I'm really curious about your future impressions...portugal might be a good option compared to going to one's home country! And it is not so far away. Good luck!! Thanks for the video!!

[@GoYvon]

I can imagine! I am sure there will be a lot of culture shocks for us and a lot of adjusting! What do you consider 'normal'. I find that 'normal' is an interesting concept. People often think my life is amazing because I'm in China, but it seems like it's hard for them to realize that I have a very similar life, just in a different place.

[@saarland2china]

@@GoYvonHi there, thanks for your answer! My life in China was not normal in many ways! I did not have to commute to work as I was living on campus, I had lunch in the teacher's canteen, very healthy and delicious and only 3 RMB (0,4€), I had no letter box to receive taxes and invoices, I did not have to deal with beauroucracy, I did not have to go shopping, to cook, to do the dishes every day, I was only working 15h/week, whereever I went, I still could take 1000 of pictures and videos and watch my KZbin Channel grow. There was something interesting to do all the time and I had the time to do it and my friends back home admired me for this lifestyle. Now back in Germany, what I earn in Germany, I could save in China, you face a lot of nasty beauroucracy, waste time commuting, cooking, stressfull grocery shopping after work, doing he dishes, rents are super high, you live from weekend to weekend and during weekend you need to clean your room and appartment, have a rest, prepare for monday, no more time for taking KZbin videos, and even if I had time, there is nothing interesting for me in Germany I would like to do videos about. This is a "normal" life in Germany, called Hamsterrad. 🐹 It won't take long for me as well and we will meet in Spain or Portugal!! Good choice!!

[@yaoliang1580]

Harbin is too cold in winter

[@saarland2china]

@@yaoliang1580哈哈， 我不怕冷。

[@zackk7175]

Foreigners are leaving Chiina Now. The good days are gone!

[@kimmeelee9758]

Wishing you all the best, Yvon & Migel! China will miss you! You both have been great friends to China and its people so THANK YOU!! Take good care!

[@saarland2china]

Wirklich krass, dass du nach 14 Jahren gehst!! Ich feiere nun auch mein 10 jähriges Jubiläum mit Harbin und denke gerne an die Zeit zurück! Viele Grüße aus Berlin!!!

[@Trandans]

It will be exciting to follow your journey back to Europe. Good luck to you both! 😊

[@GoYvon]

Thanks so much! And great to hear that you're planning on following the journey.

[@jerrywang4695]

good luck to your new journey, and all the best wishes to you two!

[@GoYvon]

Thank you so much!

[@pandabearoceanpark]

Totally understand how your feel about having your own home and living in a quieter place to decompress. It has been a great journey for me as well seeing you two enjoying China and best luck to you and enjoy Portugal!

[@GoYvon]

There will be some more videos of us enjoying China before we leave. I have a couple of things on my 'to do before I leave' list.

[@linus631]

I started following you & Miguel during C0vid, always very appreciated you both showing the world tge real China. I wish you both the best! Good luck to you & Miguel's new adventure! ❤

[@GoYvon]

Thank you! For the comment and for following us for so long. I hope you'll stick around for the next chapter.

[@handyman8764]

I wish you and Miguel the very best in your new life in Portugal. Please keep posting your life experiences, it would be nice to learn how you two are doing there.

[@GoYvon]

We will absolutely do that! I will share more about that soon.

[@ThereIsAlwaysaWay2]

Thx for the explanation, work and housing was my top guess, nice to being confirmed. Luck and success towards your purchase.

[@GoYvon]

Thank you!

[@tedvu1426]

Thanks for the lovely video and good luck on your new adventures.

[@oldschoolwaverider]

I worked as an EFL teacher in Asia for 7 years and both leaving and setting up again can be tough! Best of luck, I am sure you guys will be just fine! Portugal has some beautiful beaches from what I have seen online..

[@GoYvon]

That's a long time too! Where in Asia were you? I've seen those beaches too! There are lots of river beaches also, which I can't wait to check out.

[@oldschoolwaverider]

@@GoYvon Taiwan for about 18 months, came back home to UK for nine months awaiting visa and application process then went to South Korea for five straight years prior to coming to Asia to work I took a few months out in Sri Lanka and during my time in Korea travelled around Japan for two weeks. I travelled in Thailand for couple weeks and that’s about all the places in Asia. None of these places ever felt like somewhere I could settle long term, but I think it’s due to work culture and lifestyle differences like you have mentioned family is far away and the pace is different. For me I love surfing in my free time, but finding ESL work near surfable beach was challenging!

[@ibvocean]

Good luck on your new adventures!

[@rickyyuen481]

Sad to learrn you are leaving China.

[@GoYvon]

Thanks for the comment. I can understand that, I'll definitely miss China, but it's time for something new.

[@jeffreysetapak]

The most important thing is you are happy. That's all. I wish you all the best.

[@GoYvon]

Thanks!

[@taffyandbeanz]

Best of luck for you both in Portugal! Hope you both will continue to post on YT ❤️

[@GoYvon]

That's the plan!

[@johndole9381]

Good luck to you and Miguel in Portugal, Yvon. As the old saying goes: All good things have to come to an end....

[@ipip38]

Rád jsem mnoho let sledoval vaše krásná videa z České republiky. Byl jsem v Číně jako turista 2x a trochu ji znám. Obdivuji Čínu a čínský lid, ale u nás se říká : "Doma je doma" a Evropa není špatná k životu. Ale politika Evropské unie a NATO je špatná, zlá a snad nebude 3. světová válka. Chápu vaše důvody a Portugalsko je taky zajímavá země. Přeji hodně štěstí vám a manželovi.

[@wenyichen5515]

V Číně se říká: zlatý domov, stříbrný domov, nejlepší je můj pes doma. Děkujeme, že se vám naše země líbí. Českou republiku mám také rád pro literaturu, hudbu a pivo. Doufám, že budu moci českou republiku znovu navštívit.

[@petercua6158]

Go with your heart desires. Will miss your China vlog. Looking forward to your new chapter.❤👍

[@klengsoo4023]

The title of this video give a different meaning to her reasons for wanting to leave China. After a long Working holiday of 14 years, she found love, and decided to go back to her husband's home country, that's it. Did she paint a negative image of China?

[@GoYvon]

That's not correct. We're not going to the USA.

[@boxing5818]

Sorry to see you leaving my motherland. You two are wonderful people. I wish you two nothing but the best in your new adventure of seeking your dream life!

[@junzhang2087]

We only live on this plant for 80-100 years. There are some many exciting places on this planet. So 14years in China is already a big chunk of of your life time. Life is experience, move on. Good luck to you.

[@GoYvon]

Absolutely! 80 years isn't very long, especially when society expects you to work for most of those years. This is a topic I will talk about more in the future.

[@dyrectory_com]

Portugal, from what I gather online, is affordable for a Western European country. Plus, it's got very nice weather. If you're going to live in Europe, Portugal is an excellent choice. 💡

[@GoYvon]

That's what we're thinking. So far though we haven't seen much of the nice weather recently. 🌧

[@kevinkoo9065]

Best wishes to your new endeavor ! 💪

[@iany2448]

Best luck to your new adventure. You certainly have stayed in China a lot longer than I as an expat.

[@bigkahoona888]

Thank you for your story. Best of luck to you.

[@henriettasecker-shao]

All the best Yvonne and Miguel too. Sent him a message as well. Thank you both for all the great videos about China. A thousand years of happiness and love to you both and lots of luck on your new journey. xoxo

[@iamcanadianedmonton]

i just came back after 5 weeks in singapore, malaysia and guangdong province, i am not saying china because china is a big country. i can certainly understand your decision to move to portugal. best wishes. love from canada.

[@GoYvon]

Wow, sounds like an amazing trip!

[@michaelp9061]

Really liked what you did, no matter where you go I wish you continued success.

[@eileenwalsh5258]

I loved the video, Yvonne! I look forward to seeing your new home in Portugal.

[@TheWorldnUs]

Hey Yvonne, We’re moving to Hangzhou in August. Watching your videos definitely contributed to our decision to move to China. Not sure we’ll last 14 years though. All the best with the next chapter in your life. I hope it all works out for you. ~ David

[@GoYvon]

Hi! It's been a while! How exciting that you're moving to Hangzhou, that is heaven on Earth according to the Chinese.

[@zizicalligraphy]

Thank you so much for your contribution to the youth education in China for all those years. Portugal sounds like a good place for a slower life style that you’ve been desiring 😊. All the best to you and Miguel.

[@GoYvon]

My pleasure! I always enjoyed showing my life in China.

[@WhatsgoodKiki]

Thank you for the wonderful 14 years spent in China. I believe you've experienced much during this time, and hopefully, it has brought enrichment to your life. All the best to your next journey of life!

[@GoYvon]

So many experiences! Experiences for a lifetime :)

[@davidltm2048]

I dream to move from rural life to a mega city life, but I can't afford the expenses

[@swedishpagan417]

I have the same dream but I also can not afford the expenses. I am retired

[@GoYvon]

Living in a city can be pricey, especially rent. Are you able to visit a city every now and then?

[@dyrectory_com]

From the videos I have watched, re: China, if you'd like to experience living in China... it's way more affordable in 2nd Tier cities or even living 1 hour away from the city core of Tier 1 cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, etc. BTW, I looked it up, Tier 2 cities have a population of 3-15 million people - they are large compared to Western standards.

[@GoYvon]

Welcome to all the new subscribers! Thank you for being here and joining me on this adventure. Since I'll be leaving China soon I wonder; what do you think I should do before I leave? Let me know and I might do it!

[@Hazza_Harding]

Loved watching your videos when I was back in China - I wish you all the best for the future! Slowing down in a place you can call home close to family is a very nice feeling!

[@GoYvon]

Thanks!

[@yiyang6260]

If one has choices and aspirations for new stuff, it might be hard to reside in a place on end, particularly in a foreign country. That is quite normal. Good luck with your brand-new life in Portugal.

[@Chickenkwok]

Veel succes met je verhuizing. Dank voor al de mooie video's. IK kijk straks uit naar de mooie video's vanuit Portugal.

[@GoYvon]

Dank je wel! Fijn dat je van mijn video's genoten hebt. Ik hoop dat je ze in de toekomst ook leuk gaat vinden (ze worden zeker anders!).

[@ericlee318]

Wish you all the best in your new adventure in Portugal.

[@user-xq8qx6bg2j]

❤❤❤❤ Jammer je te zien vertrekken. Ik hoop dat je goede herinneringen meeneemt aan de vele vreemdelingen in een vreemd land. Goede reis. Moge vrede, liefde, geluk, gezondheid en ‘gematigde’ welvaart met jou en Miguel meegaan,🌹🌹

[@GoYvon]

Bedankt! Heel veel goede herinneringen!

[@genec390]

You decision makes perfect sense. Best wishes.

[@GoYvon]

thank you.

[@SunshineJeremy]

Best wishes to your new life in Portugal. I am sure you will miss Chinese food though, come back to China for vacations in the future.

[@Richard_H_U]

This is the first time that I hear China being described as "fast paced"... perhaps it is true for where you are / were i.e. big cities. I wish you all the best moving forward.

[@ShanghaiTorontoLover]

All the best in your future life!

[@GoYvon]

Thanks!

[@frankiephan5930]

Goyvon all best in your future endeavors.

[@bayernfan9557]

Great! Good luck!

[@wolf-man-bear-pig-torque]

Wish you both the very best in life. Wanting to be closer to family and wanting to settle down after an amazing adventure is perfectly natural and adds another flavor to life meant to be cherished.

[@albertcheng9911]

Good luck and all the best.

[@xa3558]

Thank you !

[@firetree2007]

I suppose it's the same for most people; the feeling of homesick, you yearn to return to your home country. The same holds true for Chinese people living abroad from China; some of them to return and live in China.

[@yonight6871]

I predicted last year that you would leave China, but I didn’t expect this day to come so quickly. Thank you for taking so many videos. China can be regarded as your second hometown. Prices in Europe are more than five times higher than in China. If you just work as a teacher in Europe, your income will not be high. But living in Europe will be closer to your relatives, which is good.

[@GoYvon]

Well, what is quick 😉? I've been in China since 2010, haha. I didn't expect to stay this long when I first came here. It is for sure my second home.

[@margaritatseng4320]

Bravo, bravo, bravo, merci énormément pour votre rétroaction (feedback) we wish you both the best in your new adventure in life! 😊

[@lipincheng]

The explosive growth of phenomenal game changing technology is on track to make life better, safer and easier for everyone on this planet, no matter where one chooses to live. Just needs to let it happen. Almost a third of Americans (31%) report having a net worth $0 or less, a new study finds. And for Americans 59 and older who may be contemplating retirement, 21% report that their total amount of liabilities meets or exceeds their assets, meaning a net worth $0 or less.

[@davidrichards1741]

I heard the median net worth in US was about $300, not $0. Yikes! The average net worth here in Singapore is $3.2 million. That means we're 11,000% richer than the poor US. Having seen the extremely rundown, backward, crime-ridden conditions of the US, I can believe it!

[@lipincheng]

@@davidrichards1741 One is run by professionals, the other by "elected" clowns. At least keeping Americans entertained, go to internet and one can find any conceivable garbage under the sun.

[@VerkaterterStiefel]

@@lipincheng könnt ihr Wumaos eigentlich kein einziges China-Video verschonen? Nerviges Volk.....

[@xiaoli6836]

Hey Yvon. I have been following you and Miguel‘s channel for 3 or 4 years. I enjoyed watching you guys' videos and I want to sincerely say Thank you both！Best wishes for you both in the new life！❤

[@GoYvon]

Thanks! I hope you'll continue to follow us, also when we leave China.

[@xiaoli6836]

@@GoYvon Of course！All the best！

[@jpliu]

Enjoying to watch your ventures. Wish you best your life and happiness

[@parttimethinker7611]

People get tired of the same desires and tastes after a while. That’s the nature of minds…impermanent and none self. It’s always changing and we can’t control them at all.

[@athousandcollegelife550]

Best luck to your future adventures!🎉

[@jianxiong69]

Growing fruits and vegetables, raising animals on your own land is deeply satisfying. The experience cannot be valued by money. Thank you for sharing your experiences and best of luck for your move! 🙏

[@GoYvon]

We agree! Money isn't everything.

[@antoniomiguelsimao]

Good luck in Portugal!

[@lth8675]

Watching your video to the end, I realized that you are one that live life with much Conscious Awareness compare to many of us who live life just through Habits. So good to know that at different stages of life we may need to make changes even it may be painful. Choice and Decision must be made in order to Move-On and feel that we are not sitting on it and carrying those discomforts with us day in day out. GOOD LUCK to you and stay happy.👍 Life is not really very long. We don't have a contract to live forever. So at time must really Do what we felt strongly. Cheers😀.

[@Wecareus]

China is going to miss you both! For years, you have shared with us wonderful travel logs, heartfelt experiences and set high standards for expats in China. If you believe in the Chinese thinking of happenstance, you and China may cross paths again in the future! All the best!

[@GoYvon]

I'm confident we will. China will always have a special place in my heart.

[@benliu506]

You will be dearly missed

[@peterg0]

Chinese also want a slow path of life,but US and her allies don't allow us,we need to grow up ASAP....

[@sunflower_shorts]

We were all stuck at home during the pandemic. There is so much crime in New York where we live. I wish that we could move to a better place too.

[@user-gl2wu2fs8h]

🙏🙏祝你们：💌 健康幸福, 平安快乐！ 去到哪里, 好运连连！

[@xingw9358]

Goodbye, hope your future journey all the best

[@rku840]

You made the right choice, wish you best luck.

[@yvonnebirch6026]

Hi Yvon, I can relate! It is hard to be away from your family. I miss our country more than I used to. It has been such a treat to see China through your eyes all the way in California. I will be curious how you guys will like Portugal. I follow a wonderful family there; the Newby family. Good luck. Love from Monterey 💕🌷

[@GoYvon]

Thank you! I'm curious too, haha. So far we are confident we'll fit in, but we'll have to wait and see how everything will work out.

[@arishem555]

We are all strangers on this planet and time to time we've been called to another places. It seems that even IT specialist cannot quite afford a property in Shanghai. They need to have a business with high income to really afford it. It is good to rent place in Shanghai, - but probably will never ever get to the point of buying. Hope you gonna feel it "home" at your new place.

[@GoYvon]

Shanghai and Beijing are so expensive for buying property. Especially if you want to live somewhat close to the center and not on the outskirts of the city.

[@jameskwa]

Excellent l live in Beijing too. The people are very friendly

[@qianyoupan7787]

good luck, yvon.

[@yumingzhao5577]

it can be condensed into a 3 minute video

[@zhanglan6568]

Good decision, it is alwayse good to be close to family. Welcome to visit China whenever it is convenient for you.

[@Yuen891]

Come back anytime 😊

[@jennyohara4011]

Only countries I would live in 1. China, 2. Russia, Belarus, 3 Cuba

[@joelhansen8649]

You are either being sarcastic or you are insane😂

[@jennyohara4011]

Tell me why those countries are bad? I been to China twice..absolutely the best@@joelhansen8649

[@davidrichards1741]

The first 2 are great but there are many others. Pros and cons. Just avoid the crime-ridden genocidal USA, where your odds of a violent or deadly experience once in your lifetime now exceed 80%, in the most violent nation on earth.

[@GoYvon]

Interesting choice! Why only those?

[@txr8565]

4. Iran

[@anthonymathews3872]

The grass is always greener on the other side.

[@wanalan9958]

Its normal to go back to yr roots. You can always come and visit China in the future.

[@alexsonic-ds4sw]

Good luck on your next adventure

[@qd7343]

Well, anything is quite enough receiving in. Different tastes for demanding to satisfy human desires. It has enough tools to acquire new purpose. , more potential in the life ahead.

[@user-wh9cc5zx1v]

Good luck, Yvon! I suppose that you have already left China？

[@user-pb9ss3zp2p]

I grow 50 different fruit tree in my garden and it is really fun.

[@GoYvon]

Wow! That's a lot. What are some of your favorites?

[@yufeigis]

@@GoYvon Cherry and Nectarian tree are my favorite

[@kotnakerry3819]

Best of luck with your next adventure in another country.

[@BrandyHeng007]

Never try , Never know Its once in a lifetime experience Variety is the spice of life

[@GoYvon]

That's the thing! Might not like it, it might not work out, but then we've tried and won't be able to say 'what if...'

[@BrandyHeng007]

Experience is the best way to learn something.

[@wudiNB]

hope u well in the future

[@RM-qw3xz]

Best of luck to you. You were saying that China is fast-paced, while many American vloggers in China claim that China is much slower paced than the USA. I wonder who is more correct.

[@davidrichards1741]

HK is extremely fast-paced. It depends on what part of Greater China, particularly big city vs remote rural.

[@GoYvon]

It probably depends on your perspective and experiences. I can see how some parts of China are slower than the USA. For me it seems like Beijing is always 'on', and things don't slow down.

[@leekinboo]

no...

[@xushenxin]

Good luck! btw, all my plants died and my grass died. I don't care anymore just want to move back to city~

[@GoYvon]

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear that your plants died. Do you have an idea what happend to them?

[@xushenxin]

@@GoYvon jasmine has limited time span. 一岁一枯荣~

[@IHBERWIUHBDSAJ]

中国人失去了一个老朋友！This is a dark day for all Chinese people to lose such a dear foreign friend. 😥

[@ganzhishijie]

祝君好运。有机会再回来坐坐。

[@zzzzzsleeping]

I will tell you what, you are a type of person who will never be satisfied. You have too many 'i like ' and ' i don't like'. Portugal is another land for you to explore. So many you will like and dislikes. It's just a vicious cycle of life. There is no place to find a simple life, none (maybe in wizard of oz) Where do you end up ? 😢 No one knows, can't control life. It goes in any which way like water which flood its way. Good luck sister!

[@kealee6350]

You can leave with your boyfriend together, others will fill the place.

[@samsun01]

Going from the safest country to a country with rampant crime, drugs, corruption, taxes, and inflation. OK, enjoy your 'balanced' life as Europe crumbles. Your freedom, your choice. I respect that.

[@VerkaterterStiefel]

people like you are the reason why foreigner are leaving China.

[@sonurajbhandari3347]

Did you try to apply for a five star card equivalent to a green card in china? It's difficult to get but you should try before leaving then you can have that door open for china forever.

[@byj5362]

It's rare for any intelligent persons to stay stagnent for too long, it's human nature. A change of environment will be good for you. Go with your heart and dream. Best of luck.

[@erictoo1035]

Good to hear that as your partner described China a police state, something really wrong with his mindset.

[@VerkaterterStiefel]

nobody is forced to love China and hate the West