Comments on: Quality of Life

By: Daniel Fleek

Daniel Fleek — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:49:58 +0000

Quality of life is a very subjective topic. We may make more money and they may save more. However, it just depends whether what you are doing makes you happy and that you’ll be able to look back on it when your old and be proud of what you did. I liked the aspects of Chinas living in that they can rely on public transportation and they don’t need to pay tips and sales tax. Also, unlike the US, they are not expected to own a nice car especially when using it to impress people and getting out of the bus or train to meet someone is perfectly normal, even in business. The “good guanxi connections” that lower costs for Chinese is also important here in the US. I often go to restaurants where my friends work because I know I will get a discount or free meal. In return, I’ll do something nice back like make them dinner. I agree these little exchanges do lower costs but they also add to my quality of life since it’s good to be nice to each other. Also, I agree that it is easier to open your own business since people can literally start their business out of their house which if we were allowed to do in the US, would change my career. However, I still like the US and in particular the central coast of California because of its familiarity and our weather isn’t too bad either.

By: Keith Cody

Keith Cody — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 10:51:30 +0000

When about your quality of life, don’t think about only money. Professor Carr spends a great deal of time trying to show that, even though you would make 1/10th of the money in China, when it is all said and done, you would have the same amount of extra money. You don’t need to think only about the money. You have to think about where you live, what you do, if you enjoy it. You also need to think about opportunities for your family, if that is in the cards. This is good advice.

However, there is something to say for having cash flow. If you only have $500 free spending money a month, it’s much better to have $1 million go through your hands than $50,000. With cash flow, you can do so much more. Dell Computer could remain profitable, just on it’s cash flow model, it pays at net 60, but makes others pay-up at net 30. You can make money holding money for 30 days. This is something else to think about.

I wonder if I sound like a late night TV ad? “You can make money now in the cash flow business.” Ron Popeil would proud.

By: Ashley Tyra

Ashley Tyra — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 07:55:07 +0000

Like others have said, I went into this post with an open mind, and I’m not offended by anything that was said – I just have a differing opinion, or maybe more questions.

To me “Quality of Life” is a relative term. It all depends on who is doing the looking. The Central Coast is a beautiful place to live, and I feel lucky being able to do just that – but I have known people who don’t like living here. Even though the last blog says “we heard that if U.S. immigration policies allowed it, 97% of the Chinese people would probably want to move to the United States,” I’m sure there are people in the US that wouldn’t mind living somewhere else.

I honestly think that quality of life can’t just be based on pure numbers or money. I’m not saying that there isn’t a similar quality of life in China, I just think there are more factors in the equation. A better judge of the quality of life might be a survey of the level of happiness – which will vary depending on the type of person you are talking to. Someone who likes city life might find similar “qualities” between China and a place like Los Angeles. I personally am not a big fan of LA – I enjoy experiencing places like the beach or the mountains, those are priceless. If a similar location exists in China where I can find the wages listed above with scenery as beautiful as here, then why not give it a try?

By: Fred S.

Fred S. — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 06:29:01 +0000

Yes, the availability of money to spend is intriguing, but I can not make a decision on which quality of life is better without going and experiencing it myself. It is a difficult question. From what I have experienced living in different areas, the most important factor of quality of life in those areas is the people who share it with you. It is the people in your life that make it quality. You could be in the middle of nowhere North Dakota, but live in a town with all your friends and be stoked on life! Or you can live around millions of faceless people in a city, and not find a shared connection with anyone. San Luis Obispo is so great because the people here are so friendly and sociable. If I make some friends in China, this could change my views. So, let’s go to China!

By: Georgia

Georgia — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:52:11 +0000

I think if a student gets out of college and wants to start their own business, or scores high on the “What it takes to live and work abroad” questionnaire they should not stay in California. The average amount of savings is roughly the same ($400 in China buys a lot more foot massages than $700 in America). I really believe the choice depends on the individual’s personality. If they want to work hard and then open a tea shop and relax they shouldn’t be in a place where they constantly only break even. But I think it is important to be honest with yourself from the beginning so 30 years down the line you aren’t disappointed. My parents and grandparents created a college fund for me so that I won’t have any outstanding debt when I finish grad school, but I know after that it’s all up to me. Luckily the average MBAer makes considerably more than the average undergrad psych student. Still I try to keep my costs as low as possible which means taking the free bus to class instead of buying a parking permit and gas and I can’t remember the last time I saw a movie in the theatres, and not spending $130 a month for TV. But I still hope I never have to leave the Central Coast. I admit I am very spoiled by the beaches and the wine (oh the wine…).

By: Jeffrey Brown

Jeffrey Brown — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:37:16 +0000

There are so many factors to consider when contemplating a move to a foreign country. The financial aspect is only a small factor and in my opinion, should not be the driving force. It is clear that one can have a similar lifestyle in China, however, I must wonder what the implications are when one returns to America to visit. Everything suddenly becomes much more expensive, including airfare to travel to and from. That aside, one’s reasons for moving abroad should focus on the desired outcome for the move and should not be limited by financial reasons.

After reading this post I have a much greater respect for those that go abroad for employment. While America seems full of opportunity and may appear (at first) to have a greater quality of life, that is for the most part our own biased opinion. While I do not plan on seriously considering moving abroad anytime soon (nor could I picture myself actually moving away from the land which I was born and raised in), I certainly do not rule it out as opportunities present themselves to me.

By: Grant

Grant — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 22:06:30 +0000

The thoughts posted are good and are worthy of thinking about. The last article about 97% of the Chinese population wanting to move to the US is not surprising.
The Grass is always Greener.
This is not only true for the Chinese looking at us, but can be for us looking elsewhere, like the Bahamas, or Patagonia, or Italy, or ??? But in my humble opinion, each is just context. And it is not the context that matters so much, as what we choose to do within that context that really gives life its richness. The game of poker is like life. It is not about the hand you are dealt, its about how you play the hand you’re dealt. Likewise, its not about the context we choose, its more about how we live within that context. But of course it is much more fun to play poker when the cards are good to you, I’m not saying that. What I am saying is that it is important to choose the best context, but that’s not the end of it. Each context, whether it is China, California, North Carolina, or Patagonia, each has its pros and cons.
What I think is best is to be honest with one’s self about one’s goals and temperament/abilities. Then choose a context that is most conducive to the attainment of those goals and ambitions. For some, California is the right context, and for others, it could not be worse.
I agree wholeheartedly that for those of us who grew up in California, or really anywhere in the US, we tend to believe that the world drops off pretty abruptly once you leave the “Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave”. And that we not only believe that, but we also believe, maybe not individually, but as a society, that we are the center of the universe and that everyone wants to be like us.
Ironically, most people in other countries resent our narcissistic world view, yet they actually would move to the US, given the chance. I haven’t figured that one out yet, but it is true, and I have seen that first hand.

By: Charles Dornbush

Charles Dornbush — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:22:19 +0000

I tried to go into reading this post open-minded, expecting something really controversial form the introduction. But after reading it i’m not offended, rather just unconvinced. This post touched on all the reasons why one would argue California is better than China: wine tasting, less pollution, less crowded, etc., etc. Why they are all listed they are not accounted for in determining ‘quality of life’. I think quality of life is simply something more than just income minus cost of living.

Even those who have moved to China from the U.S. rarely say they moved to China to have ‘a better life’. I think we all understand that we would be giving up a lot if we were to move abroad, most importantly friends and family. While life in China might not be as Americans think, I’m not convinced it’s as rosy as depicted here.

By: Kevin K.

Kevin K. — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:32:29 +0000

Yes, we know California is expensive, but you really get what you pay for living on the Central Coast. It’s the middle of winter here in SLO and its 70 degrees outside as we sip on pinot noir at a local winery, or head out to the beach for a few hours with a book…

However, I think it’s a completely backwards way of thinking to claim that money controls Californians more, considering we sacrifice much more of it to enjoy the California lifestyle. I do not say this as a xenophobe or someone who is ethnocentric, It’s just hard to say which lifestyle is better based on the bottom line — or any number for that matter. This post drills down to the “money = happiness” way of thinking that is hard for me to accept. In the article from the ‘Shanghaiist’ linked in the addendum titled “Special delivery: mainland mothers heading to US to give birth” wealthy Chinese mothers are traveling to America in flocks to give birth so their children can have American citizenship and attend American schools, which seems like a large effort to ensure that their children can come to the US and one that should signal that America is still very much in an enviable position — as much as these blog posts place the US as the woebegone giant teetering on the edge of obscurity and waving a white flag.

This blog post makes money appear to be the be-all and end-all to life and judging the quality of that said life. Granted, I’m assuming that most of us are in the MBA program to get jobs — particularly higher paying jobs — and to pursue that American dream. But to quote the Beatles, “Can’t buy me love.”

By: Vladimir

Vladimir — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:31:37 +0000

A couple years ago I estimated my annual living expenses in the high $30,000s. This was with no debt. My rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in a good part of Los Angeles was $1,500/month. This was more than I’d pay for a 4-bedroom house in much of the US. A friend of mine moved to Las Vegas because he wanted to live where he could afford to buy a house. One’s personal cost mix needs to be considered when comparing cost of living among different areas. But cost of living is not the same thing as quality of life. For example, I like the freedom and independence that comes with having a car. For me it’s more than just transportation to work and to a friend’s house. Sometimes going out with the company is also expected in America, but I’m willing to spend my money to go out on my own terms. The quality of life does not increase linearly with the standard of living. If it did Donald Trump would be smiling a lot more. I agree with what one of my economics professors said: “When you own something, it owns you”. Everyone in the MBA program has probably heard the saying “Time is money.” Saving time saves money. But spending money can also cost time. Whether spending 5 hours a day in front of a $5,000 TV is time well spent or time wasted depends on the individual. People can have just as high a quality of life with less money, as long as certain needs are met. We can’t just compare the quality of life from net savings between the American and Chinese graduates. Quality of life may mean different things to each. Would a hardcore skier or surfer take $100,000 to permanently move to where there’s no snow or no waves?