I live in US so I think I have the right to tell you a true America. I don't need the info from my friends and relatives. This is my story.
It true that the real estate price here is low, comparing to China. Howver,you have to compare apple to apple. it is meaningless to compare the price between Beijing/Shanghai to Dallas/North Carolina/Atlanta. You have to compare Beijing/Shanghai to New York and San Francisco. Majority people who work in Manhattan cannot afford the apartment in Manhattan. They live in Queens, Bronx, New Jersey, even Connectic. You can ask how much that will cost you.
It is true that the grocessary here cost less than what is in China (metro area). However, you don't have the fresh meat/poultry (by law). It will cost you MUCH more if you want buy out-of-ordinary groceassary. You can check the price in wholefood.
It is true that you can apply for the unemployee benefit once you lost the job. However, $1100 a month can barely pay for the food and gas. And you have to come up the money to pay for the shelter (house, apartment, etc...) The author said the house payment costs $2000 a month, I am wondering how can you pay for the house with that $1100 a month.
It is true that people who can frequently take vacation is among those in upper-middle class. However, it costs way more than 2 hour of work to pay for the living. The number simply does not add up. Most people have to work 35 to 40 hours to make a living.
On top of that, there are many other costs, such as insurance, kid's education and house/yard maintenance and improvement. I just replaced my house windows few month ago, it cost me $12000 (twelve thousand). How much does it cost to replace the grass in the small backyard? $2500. Simple re-do the back yard (re-seed small part of yard, build a small retaintion wall, small concrete platform for sitting) may cost you $25,000 (I go the quote). I cannot afford the servent taht many middle class people in China enjoy.
It doesn't cost a lot to take vacation in Thailand, HK and Korea from China, but it cost me a lot to go to South America.
Do you how much does it cost to traffic ticket here? The new price is over $500. Is it cheaper in China?
Think again, my friend.
