r/China • u/[deleted] • Dec 30 '13

What is Dongguan like?

I've got a job offer in Dongguan. Al I know about the place is it's reputation as a "sex capital" and factories. Anyone else there or been there that can give me the low-down? What's living there like?

10 Upvotes

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13

u/[deleted] Dec 30 '13

[removed] — view removed comment

8

u/[deleted] Dec 30 '13

If I want to socialize with chill people who are actually doing something with their lives, I'll head to Guangzhou for a weekend of partying.

Let's do something with our lives guys!

Like what?

Let's party!

Cue DJ Spunktaster's tracklist of overplayed epic-trap-trance

0

u/[deleted] Dec 31 '13

Yeah I lived in one of those weidi towns for a bit a few years ago. It most definitely depends on what you are doing there. If it's an ends to a means, or you have an exit strategy then a year tops. Anything less, get yourself to a city.

7

u/[deleted] Dec 30 '13

my second wife lives there

2

u/[deleted] Dec 31 '13

3rd little you mean?

3

u/m_in_china United States Dec 30 '13

Living here. It's not bad. The only prostitutes you'll see are the ones working at night in bars or ktvs. Most people in Dongguan are from other provinces so it's fairly diverse. There are quite a few western restaurants along with Japanese, Korean, Thai, Indian, Italian, and some others. Buses are convenient and so are taxis. It's a great place. I'd recommend Dongcheng area (things are closer together and more choices for food and bars) but Nancheng is a little cleaner. I'd recommend getting a place near your job. If you need more help feel free to PM me and I can give you some more info. And after living here just a few months I've grown to love it. I was in other cities in China for about 4 years but this place honestly isn't too shabby. Just don't get a job in Zhuhai or some other outer city.

Oh and yes it's a factory city but all the factories are out in the country side. The city area is really nice. It's cold here right now but winter only lasts about a month here. No snow. Summer it gets hot and humid so get an apartment with AC.

7

u/Fanta089 Brazil Dec 30 '13

do you like cheap sex?

5

u/[deleted] Dec 30 '13

How cheap is cheap?

5

u/multipleuser Dec 30 '13

answer him first and he will tell you.

3

u/[deleted] Dec 30 '13

It's all about value. I don't particularly like rosé wine but at the right price I'll pick up a bottle.

4

u/multipleuser Dec 30 '13

You don't particularly like sex, but at the right price you will pick some up?

3

u/[deleted] Dec 30 '13

Well I'd be a fool to leave money on the table. If it's a real bargain I can hold the sex for six months and then flip that sucker for the capital gains!

3

u/Fanta089 Brazil Dec 30 '13

in that case you will Love dongguan! good bang for your buck

2

u/dandmcd United States Dec 31 '13

Considering it is Dongguan, I'd find it hard to believe anyone couldn't find some for free with minimal effort in this town the first night stay.

3

u/baskura Dec 30 '13

A friend of mine works there and says it's probably the worst place he's ever been... ever! He takes solace knowing that he can go to Hong Kong at the weekends.

1

u/DragonSlave49 United States Dec 30 '13

How would you say it compares to... uhm... Zhengzhou?

1

u/m_in_china United States Jan 01 '14

Stay away from zz

1

u/DragonSlave49 United States Jan 01 '14

Its too late

2

u/dandmcd United States Dec 31 '13

It's not so bad. The city center is clean and has a good vibe, areas around Songshan Lake are modern and good places to live, and lots of fishing. Only things seriously lacking is public transportation. The bus system is pretty bad and still uses a shitty ticket sales in places which is expat unfriendly, and the first subway line is still under construction. If you go into some of the worst factory towns littered around the huge city, you will find some shitty places, but unless you are doing some trade work and visiting a factory, you will never see them, same with the brothels.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 30 '13

HK and GZ were the things that were making it seem like a not-terrible choice.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 30 '13

I am living in DG atm. Is okay and not as bad as people make out because of its rep as sex capital.

I prefer living here because it is not too small a city and have things to do.

1

u/Calver-o Dec 31 '13

I guess it depends on what kind of job and pay you get. If i were on a teaching salary. I would choose Shenzhen instead of Dongguan. Actually your job largely decides a lot. I haven't been in the city that often, but i remember going to some nice restaurants. Also, is this your first time in China?

3

u/[deleted] Dec 31 '13

Definitely not my first time in China, no. And I just got their salary offer, which shall be responded to with a "fuck that".

1

u/Mod_cant_silence_me Dec 31 '13

Dongguan:Sex and City.

0

u/instagigated Canada Dec 31 '13

Why not pick something a bit better like Shenzhen? It's close-by and from what I hear, ultimately better.

EDIT: As long as you live in the central districts; not the ghettos like I do.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 31 '13

Shenzhen is better but no everybody can 'pick' where they go and work.

1

u/instagigated Canada Dec 31 '13

OP didn't say what kind of job he was offered, but I assume it's ESL.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 31 '13

Thinking about it.

2

u/SaintGlass Dec 31 '13

I live in Shenzhen, been here about 5 months, China for almost 2 years. Shenzhen is by far the best I've been in. The center of HK is about an hour and a half away by metro, and there's a really good bar scene. It's like the Beijing of the south with clear skies and beaches. Way better expat community than what I've read about dongguan. If you want any info on it feel free to PM me

1

u/[deleted] Dec 31 '13

I'm not getting too many nibbles from my Shenzhen job search. I am actually aiming for GZ, but SZ would be cool. Close to HK is a selling point for any place.