Wondering what reasons different people have for coming to LIVE in China. I am NOT asking about tourists who come to travel or students who come to attend school.

For me it is the daily surprises and shocks of living here. Just when you think you've seen it all.... The predictability of life back in the West dulls the mind!

1. Opportunity. The global economies almost everywhere else in the world are in the sewers except for China.
2. Cost of living. It's just darn cheap here - not to mention taobao, 360buy, etc.
3. Blending...or not.
4. Safety for kids - aside from the occasional moron - it's fairly safe for children here, unlike the USA which engages in catch and release for child molesters (and we won't discuss catholic priests).

For me - - well, the flying saucer picked me up when I was herding cows - - stopped off in China but promised to come back and get me. Haven't seen them in years - - especially since I quit drinking!

That's a very interesting question...one of the best so far, thanks HFCAMPO.

I think it's opportunity and curiousity.
1) It's a colorful place to be compared to the boring places back home.
2) Same as india there is stuff here that you can learn nowhere else.
3) I wouldn't really say professional opportunities, because social-

compliance is more valued than professional expertise.
4) Beauty, some places in China are breath taking beauties.
5) The choice of different lifestyles, you can be a successful workaholic

or a chilled, slacker (in the good sense) and still be able to have

food on the table, shelter and even bring your kids through happily.
6) Anger Management, if you make it through China without beating

someone almost killing you in traffic or being complete asses

sometimes (as many foreigner can be as well). You can live

anywhere in the world. :D
7) It is a wonderful place to live, if you don't focus on some of the crap

that goes on here and if you keep your eyes open for the good

stuff.
8) Aside the many jerks, there are such wonderful people here making

up for every jackass you meet here, tenfold.
9) I know it's the last point but sooooo important "FOOOOOOOOD"!!!!!

@Texas boy.....
..I knew it!!!! You too? they promised me the same thing. I'm so glad they didn't probe my ass, at least not that I remember.

Good thing though, I got their licence plate number.

The Space Cops are on it!

:D
P.s. great post Texas boy!!

Birds of a feather flock together.

It was my wifes idea, she hated living in the USA.

I'm on the run from the authorities...

LOL, Chingis