Why Leave Shanghai? A Journey from Shanghai to Malaysia to Canada
Hello everyone, I'm Lemon, and today I want to address a common question I've received: why did I leave Shanghai to live abroad? Our journey took us from Shanghai to Malaysia and then to Canada, and there were several reasons for each move. Initially, our move from Shanghai to Malaysia was met with skepticism because Shanghai is widely considered one of the best cities in China.
Shanghai's Rapid Development
I was born and raised in Shanghai, and I witnessed its incredible development firsthand. During my childhood and adolescence, the city underwent a period of rapid economic growth, infrastructure development, and improvements in the overall standard of living. As they say, "One year is one, three years is a big change," and that was certainly true of Shanghai.
My family lived near Xintiandi, specifically Madang Road. We were relocated due to the construction of Xintiandi. Our location was close to Huaihai Road and Nanjing Road, in the city center. As a child, I frequented the site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China because it was free to enter and had air conditioning during the summer. It felt like an adventure! Witnessing Shanghai's rapid development was truly remarkable and unmatched by anything I've seen in other countries.
Initial Doubts About Malaysia
When we initially moved from Shanghai to Malaysia, many people questioned our decision. Many of my friends and elders viewed Malaysia as underdeveloped compared to Shanghai, with inadequate infrastructure and a primitive, hot, tropical environment. The general perception was that Malaysia couldn't possibly be better than Shanghai.
Furthermore, we found that there weren't many Shanghainese people in Malaysia at the time, which added to the sense of uncertainty. People doubted our decision because they were unfamiliar with the country. However, I believe Malaysia is actually a semi-developed nation. At one point, the Malaysian Ringgit had a higher exchange rate than the Chinese Yuan.
Discovering Malaysia: An Easy Introduction to Expat Life
When we first arrived, I felt that Malaysia was a great place to relax. It was leisurely and comfortable yet vibrant. The atmosphere was like being on a tropical vacation. The people are simple, kind, friendly, and helpful, and things are generally very convenient.
From my perspective, Malaysia is the easiest and most accessible version of international living for Chinese people seeking to experience life abroad. Many people were unfamiliar with Malaysia and its lifestyle, including its international schools. However, Malaysia is a good option for parents who seek to send their kids to an international school.
Reasons for Leaving Shanghai: Education and Environment
There were two primary reasons for leaving Shanghai. First, accessing quality education for our child was proving difficult. Gaining admission to good schools in Shanghai required either purchasing expensive school district housing (学区房) or facing competitive entrance exams and interviews. These interviews required our child to spend time studying even in kindergarten. This focus on "chicken baby" parenting clashed with our family values.
The second major reason was the deteriorating air quality. Since our child was born, the winter smog in Shanghai had become increasingly severe, with pollution levels consistently exceeding acceptable limits. This constant exposure to pollution led to frequent illnesses in our young child, often requiring hospital visits and treatments. We wanted to protect our child from experiencing this kind of pain and to prevent the potential development of asthma.
Comparing Life in Malaysia and Canada
At the time, we weren't really thinking that far ahead. In Malaysia, our daily expenses and dining out costs were similar to what we experienced in Shanghai previously. Before the change in currency rate, it used to be a third cheaper than Shanghai. In Canada, our cost of living is actually very similar to Malaysia, which was quite surprising.
However, the lifestyle is different. Malaysia is more relaxed and allows for more spontaneous dining out, whereas in Canada, we tend to eat out less and look for discounts when buying groceries. The experiences are therefore very different.
Challenges and Opportunities in Malaysia and Canada
Of course, Malaysia has its own set of challenges. Its legal system and policies tend to favor native-born Malaysians, which can create difficulties for foreigners in legal matters. Canada, on the other hand, offers a more equitable legal system where everyone is treated equally.
There are many differences between living in Malaysia and Canada, far too many to cover in detail today. I will share more about these differences in the future.
Reflecting on the Journey
Ultimately, we decided to move based on a combination of factors, including education, lifestyle, and climate. But it wasn't something we had planned. We adapted as we went along. The reasons for moving from Shanghai to Malaysia and then from Malaysia to Canada were complex and multifaceted. It's been a journey of discovery and adaptation. I never expected to live abroad, but I've found it to be a rewarding and enriching experience. I'd love to experience different cultures by living in different countries.
Thank you for watching. I'm Lemon, and I'll see you next time. If you enjoyed this video, please like, subscribe, and share!