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Expats in Shenzhen enjoy a high quality of life, with affordable living costs, efficient public transportation, diverse leisure options, and excellent healthcare. The city’s modern infrastructure, vibrant culture, and international business presence make it a top destination for professionals and families relocating to China.
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Before moving, securing international health insurance is highly recommended. It ensures access to top hospitals, English-speaking doctors, and advanced treatments, while also protecting against high medical expenses. This preparation allows newcomers to focus on settling in and enjoying everything Shenzhen has to offer.
This Pacific Prime article will go into detail on Shenzen’s quality of life for expats, which includes the cost of living, the city’s transportation system, leisure and lifestyle areas, the quality of healthcare, and the importance of taking out international health insurance.
Quality of Life for Expats in Shenzhen
As part of China’s special economic zones, Shenzhen offers expats a reasonable cost of living, a well-managed public transportation system, abundant leisure and lifestyle activities, and high-quality healthcare.
Cost of Living in Shenzhen for Expats
According to the NUMBEO database, in Shenzhen, the monthly costs for a family of four (without rent) will cost approximately USD $2150, whereas a single person’s estimated monthly costs (without rent) will cost approximately USD $595.
Listed below are the average monthly costs of rent, meals, transportation, and utilities in Shenzhen for your perusal:
Cost of Monthly Rent in Shenzen:
- Rent Per Month for an Apartment (1 bedroom) in the City Center: 5,187.50 ¥ (Range: 4,500.00-7,000.00) (~471.59-636.36 USD)
- Rent Per Month for an Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of the center: 2,800.00 ¥ (Range: 2,200.00-4,000.00) (~254.55-363.64 USD)
- Rent Per Month for an Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the City Center: 12,454.55 ¥ (Range: 9,000.00-20,000.00) (~1,131.82-1,818.18 USD)
- Rent Per Month for an Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of the center: 6,875.00 ¥ (Range: 5,000.00-10,000.00) (~625.00-909.09 USD)
Cost of Food and Drink in Shenzen:
- Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: 25.00 ¥ (Range: 15.00-50.00) (~2.27-4.55 USD)
- Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course: 200.00 ¥ (Range: 180.00-500.00) (~18.18-45.45 USD)
- Meal at McDonald’s (or Equivalent of a Combo Meal): 40.00 ¥ (Range: 30.00-50.00) (~3.64-4.55 USD)
- Domestic Beer (1 pint of draft beer): 8.00 ¥ (Range: 5.00-25.00) (~0.73-2.27 USD)
- Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle): 28.00 ¥ (Range: 15.00-40.00) (~2.55-3.64 USD)
- Cappuccino (regular): 25.28 ¥ (Range: 10.00-35.00) (~2.29-3.18 USD)
- Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle): 3.66 ¥ (Range: 3.00-6.00) (~0.33-0.55 USD)
- Water (12 oz small bottle): 2.37 ¥ (Range: 2.00-6.00) (~0.22-0.55 USD)
Cost of Transportation in Shenzen:
- One-way Ticket (Local Transport): 4.00 ¥ (Range: 3.00-6.00) (~0.36-0.55 USD)
- Monthly Pass (Regular Price): 200.00 ¥ (Range: 120.00-250.00) (~18.18-22.73 USD)
- Taxi Start (Normal Tariff): 12.00 ¥ (Range: 10.00-14.00) (~1.09-1.27 USD)
- Taxi rate for 1 mile (Normal Tariff): 4.18 ¥ (Range: 3.70-5.63) (~0.38-0.51 USD)
- Taxi fee for 1 hour of waiting (Normal Tariff): 48.00 ¥ (Range: 48.00-60.00) (~4.36-5.45 USD)
- Gasoline (1 gallon): 32.28 ¥ (Range: 30.28-34.07) (~2.93-3.09 USD)
Cost of Monthly Utilities in Shenzen:
- Basic Utilities: (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, and Garbage) for a 915 sq ft Apartment: 463.41 ¥ (Range: 300.00-800.00) (~42.12-72.73 USD)
- Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data: 80.27 ¥ (Range: 38.00-128.00) (~7.29-11.64 USD)
- Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL): 105.43 ¥ (Range: 50.00-200.00) (~9.57-18.18 USD)
Public Transportation in Shenzhen
Known as one of the best-connected cities in the east, Shenzhen’s metro system is a vital part of the city’s transportation infrastructure and expat life, which is further supported by the presence of easily accessible taxis and highspeed trains that connect to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.
Shenzhen Metro Network Overview
The Shenzhen metro is the 5th longest metro system in China and operates across 16 lines and 373 stations, covering a total distance of 555 kilometers. This metro station is perfect for expats who wish to cover the entirety of Shenzhen during their work and leisurely travels without a car.
Taxi Services in Shenzhen
Shenzhen has a taxi fleet of more than 22,600 vehicles, with an impressive 99% of them being fully electric. This high electric vehicle adoption makes it incredibly convenient to find a taxi in Shenzhen.
Whether you prefer hailing one on the street, contacting a local taxi company, heading to a taxi rank, or even booking in advance, there are various options available to secure your transportation in Shenzhen.
High-Speed Train Travel from Shenzhen
There are more than 300 pairs of high-speed trains that make their rounds on a daily basis from Shenzhen to Guangzhou. Expats that wish to rely on this method of transportation to reach other major cities can do so with great affordability and convenience, as opposed to relying on air transport.
Leisure and Lifestyle Options in Shenzhen
Living in Shenzhen, expats can visit a wide range of shopping malls, markets, shopping streets, outdoor venues, and nightlife entertainment areas. These areas are perfect for expat families who wish to enjoy the best of both corporate and lifestyle venues.
As a reminder, if you plan on doing outdoor activities with your family, consider taking out family health insurance. Listed below are the key venues for expats to make the most of leisure and lifestyle activities in Shenzhen:
- Shopping malls in Shenzhen: Shopping malls are abundant, and many offer extremely cheap goods of similar quality to luxury goods. Among many others, Luho Commercial City in Shenzhen is the perfect place for expats to buy cheap electronics and clothes.
- Markets in Shenzhen: After a period of rapid growth, outdoor markets gradually sprung up around the city, enabling expats to enjoy both grocery shopping and restaurant hopping.
- Shopping streets in Shenzhen: Shopping streets in Shenzhen offer an extremely convenient and unique experience. As expatriates walk around Luoho Dongmen Pedestrian Street, they can browse electronics and clothes on foot.
- Nightlife and entertainment in Shenzhen: Shenzhen is not short of nightlife, and most neighborhoods in the city provide a wide selection of nightclubs, bars, and lounges for expats to enjoy during their off-work hours.
- Sports and outdoor venues in Shenzhen: Shenzhen used to be a fishing village before it became a sprawling metropolis. Expats can easily access the wonderfully managed remnants of nature that provide outdoor water and land activities.
Healthcare Services for Expats in Shenzhen
Out of the 634 community health centers in Shenzhen, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, Beijing University Shenzhen Hospital, Nanshan Hospital, and No. 2 Shenzhen People’s Hospital are the most expat-friendly.
These hospitals offer English-speaking staff and maintain high standards of care, providing a comforting alternative to seeking medical treatment in nearby Hong Kong. They are best known for the following:
Shenzhen People’s Hospital
Shenzhen People’s Hospital is a top-tier medical facility that is equipped with the most cutting-edge technologies available in the Chinese healthcare industry. Expats can expect a highly modern environment and can be reassured to know that their practices are modern and internationally certified.
Beijing University Shenzen Hospital
Beijing University Shenzhen Hospital serves as the clinical research hub for the Medical Center of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. This collaboration brings together some of China’s most accomplished medical professionals. It is the hospital of choice for expatriates in Shenzhen.
Nanshan Hospital
Nanshan Hospital boasts a neurosurgery department comprising a team of 11 doctors. Additionally, the renowned biotech company Beike Biotech conducts various procedures at this hospital, utilizing stem cells. People from around the globe have traveled here to partake in groundbreaking treatments.
No. 2 Shenzhen People’s Hospital
No. 2 Shenzhen People’s Hospital is a prominent medical institution with 1,100 beds and 29 specialized ward sections. It stands out as the hospital in Shenzhen with the highest number of specialized medical units, including some recognized as among the most advanced globally.
Why Expats in Shenzhen Need Health Insurance
China’s private health facilities can be expensive and require expats to carefully plan their health insurance coverage before relocating to ensure affordable access to the highest quality public and private hospitals in times of need.
Not only will international health insurance help reduce costs, but it will also guarantee access to English-speaking doctors, who, more often than not, will provide you with guidance on the proper treatments for your given conditions without lengthy wait times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Shenzhen?
Shenzhen offers a reasonable cost of living for both families and individuals. According to the NUMBEO database, the estimated monthly cost for a family of four (without rent) is USD $2150, while a single person’s estimated monthly costs (without rent) amount to USD $595.
How is the public transportation system in Shenzhen?
Shenzhen has a well-managed public transportation system, which includes an extensive metro network and easily accessible taxis. The Shenzhen metro is the 5th longest metro system in China, with 16 lines and 373 stations covering a total distance of 555 kilometers.
What are the healthcare facilities like in Shenzhen?
Shenzhen offers high-quality healthcare facilities, with several expat-friendly hospitals. Some notable hospitals include Shenzhen People’s Hospital, Beijing University Shenzhen Hospital, Nanshan Hospital, and No. 2 Shenzhen People’s Hospital.
Conclusion
Living in Shenzhen can offer expats a reasonable cost of living, access to convenient means of transportation, a wide array of leisure and shopping activities, and high-quality healthcare. The most important thing to consider, however, is international health insurance.
If you plan on moving to Shenzhen, it’s worthwhile to read about international insurance companies in Shenzhen and China visa types. These resources will help you get up to speed on what you’ll need to live a stress-free expat life there.
Pacific Prime’s brokers have more than 20 years of experience in the health insurance and employee benefits industry. They can help you compare and choose the most suitable health plans for your unique needs and provide support throughout your expatriate journey.
Compare quotes or contact us today to get started.
Upon graduating from Mahidol University International College’s International Relations program, he spent his career in marketing and business development, working for an international subcontractor, a marketing research firm, an international news agency, a software development company, and a creative agency. His journey now continues at Pacific Prime, where he hopes to make an impact by simplifying insurance and writing a gargantuan amount of SEO articles to draw in billions of leads.
In his free time, Piyanat is an avid martial artist and musician, spending most of his time at boxing gyms in Nakhon Pathom and music studios with his friends in the music industry.
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