The pay i mentioned was already a net. pay example.
Bringing life costs and quality into the equation travelling in Germany is incredibly cheap and comfortable.
Discounter food shopping, most definitely cheaper than in China, thanks to the low RMB.
But even without discounter products are extremely cheap in BRD, check out ALDI or LIDL websites, just click on whatever you can find there, and compare the prices in China.
Going out as in buying snacks, like mixian [which is crappy and unsafe food] yeah that is cheaper in China. Proper going out, a real meal in a real restaurant with good service, is cheaper in Germany. Went to a fancy fish restaurant in Dusseldorf 2 years back, a proper fish fillet prepared by a great chef with a bottle of good mid-shelf white wine, cost us [p/person] about 17 Euro p./person] translate that into Kunming numbers. one hot pot, with stale old veggies, gutter oil,etc. 17 Euro or 100-something kuai? Easy!!
Plus in Germany there is no fear, to spend the rest of the day playing "Games of 'Throne' "!
Exchange rate is a big factor.
What is more expansive than in China [still, ...yet...] is rent, and tax, but the turnout of the tax in Europe is better. Social insurance, benefits, etc.
Running a car is pretty much the same in Europe though fuel is more expensive.
Travelling by train in Europe you can buy a annual card or use frequent travelers cards. Plus my aunt takes the bike to work, which is safe and cheap.
Many States in Germany are opening the schools to people crossing careers, the minimum requiremetns to apply for training and trainee work, is a finished college entrance exam [Abitur] and at least 2 years spend on a major [any major] in University or College. Then you can apply. Germany wants to change education after neglecting it for 2 decades,. They want more teachers, not just reciting books, but coaching life. The traditional position of a teacher becomes more and more obsolete [wikipedia/ online college courses] the problem is finding sources and interests.
...Anyway it translates very close to the Kunming /China model. You could become a teacher in Germany even without a degree. But you cannot become an official, due to lack of the 'Staatsexamen'.
Furthermore my aunt can announce problems, break of contract, she is actually protected by the law. Schools are run a joint operation, without business incentives, they can produce money [fairs, markets, etc] but they are not run as money-mill.
The average teacher in Kunming, will be kept as illegal as possible, to keep the T. leverage down, by giving them a fake visa.
The contract will be breached on most levels, T. has no rights, will be ripped off, no social insurance, no health insurance, Tax is often not paid in the name of the teacher [without T. knowledge], helicopter parents, lying parents and administrators, unpaid overtime, unpaid extra classes, lack, or no communication, a high-stress environment, fake promises, schools dodging paying airfares or other benefits. Brave teachers receiving no support, but instead being fired to fulfill customers vindictive feelings, [more important than a fully qualified teacher] are,...qualified managers and leaders. As I said the list is long.
I have never gotten my airfare reimbursement, not have I ever gotten my contract fulfillment bonus, i have never received the promised health insurance, visa support[except once].
So if I make a [standard] 15000 RMB/net.
I have to pay my rent, 1500 [low bar]
My airfare, 10000 [for Europeans]
my insurance, [health] 1500
retirement fund, 2000-3000 to level the gap, back home]
additional cost for visa, and official trips. a 3-4000 per year.
and other costs.
Will i make more than most my chinese colleagues? Yeah.....but for what price..???
...now triple it when getting married and kid.
...in Europe I get child support, lower income tax, gov. loans for buying or building a house, etc....the list is long!