36-year-old left the U.S. for China—now pays $1,000 rent and $100 for groceries for family of 4
I moved around a lot as a child. I was born in California but have lived in Arizona, Colorado, North Carolina, Virginia, Montana and Oklahoma. I never had the chance to call any place “home” for a long time. If you had told me back then that I would end up in China, I would have laughed.
I visited China for the first time in 2016. I was 27 and took a job as an English teacher in Shenzhen, a fast-growing tech hub just across the border from Hong Kong. I sold my car and used the money to buy a plane ticket from North Carolina. I’ve never been outside the US before.
Living in Asia for the next four years gave me the chance to travel to places like Cambodia and Thailand. I loved traveling because it was a great chance to test my courage and endurance, find meaning, and expand my worldview.
Today, we live in Shenzhen with my wife and our two children. That’s why it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
1. I met my wife and started a family
My wife was born in Tahiti and both her parents are from China. When we met, she was working here as a French teacher.
We had been living in China for three years and were on vacation in the US when the pandemic struck. With the borders closing, my wife and I decided to move to Tahiti to be closer to her family.
Five years later we had two children under five. There were parts of our life in Tahiti that we enjoyed, but something was missing. China still felt like our true home, and we returned to Shenzhen in June 2025.
My children are playing in Shenzhen Talent Park.
Photo: Bradley Krae
I’m still grateful for my first teaching job. His landing was an accident, but if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have my family and the life I have now.
2. I spend less money than I would in the US
After returning to Shenzhen in 2025, I continued my career as an English teacher, earning approximately $4,000 per month.
We rent a three-bedroom apartment for about $1,000 a month. Internet costs approximately $29, while electricity costs approximately $100.
We spend about $100 a month for our family of four. It’s rare to spend more than $10 total when we eat out. We also pay about $90 a month for healthcare.
My wife and I are enjoying an evening.
Photo: Bradley Krae
In total, I pay about a quarter of what I paid for my monthly expenses when I lived in the US — and I was living on my own at the time.
3. I feel like I’m living in the future
To me, Shenzhen is like Silicon Valley and New York City having a baby in China. It is a vibrant technology capital full of surprises around every corner.
One of the many surprises you can find while wandering around Shenzhen.
Photo: Bradley Krae
Flying drones deliver food in 15 minutes or less, and autonomous taxis cruise streets filled with bright neon lights. There’s a real cyberpunk energy here.
Shenzhen is one of the liveliest places I’ve ever called home.
Photo: CNBC Make It
Public transportation is also great. The metro goes everywhere and they build the lines very quickly and efficiently. You can reach anywhere in the city by metro for about $0.30.
Also, I don’t usually walk around with a wallet or keys. If I need to pay for something I use my phone, scan a QR code, or use biometrics like a handprint. Very useful.
Technology seems both advanced and accessible here.
Photo: CNBC Make It
4. My job is flexible and well paid.
While living in Tahiti, I also taught English and made several videos about it. But in 2025, my wife suggested that I start posting consistently on TikTok to give people an idea of what life is like in China.
I opened an account, the videos started, and before I knew it, I became something of an influencer. This led to more opportunities, which led to me landing a full-time job as a marketing manager in February.
We always missed China when we lived somewhere else. It’s great to be back.
Photo: Bradley Krae
It’s a more traditional job than I’m used to, and it pays a little less than my teaching job. Now I’m approaching $3,500 a month, plus I make roughly $1,200 a month from my side hustle.
But I’m not stuck at a desk all day. My company has flexible working hours, which gives me time to pursue other pursuits and interests, and I can take work home with me.
5. I feel like I can raise my children safely here
Shenzhen is a very family-friendly place and there are many things kids can do. The city has more than 1,000 parks, thousands of indoor playgrounds, and a wide variety of community activities for families.
There are many fun activities for kids here.
Photo: Bradley Krae
I have no need or desire to be a helicopter parent here. I’m not worried about things like gun violence. My main safety concern is electric scooters flying on sidewalks.
My children are also growing up trilingual. My wife speaks French to them, they speak English to me, and they learn Mandarin Chinese at their school, which is a public Chinese kindergarten. This costs about $300 per semester for both children, including meals.
Shenzhen is within walking distance and has some of the best public transportation.
Photo: CNBC Make It
Overall, I’ve found that the food at our child’s school and the food available at our local grocery stores are much healthier than what you’ll find in the United States.
No one could be more surprised than me to find my own version of the American Dream here in China.
Bradley Krae is a writer, content creator and marketing manager. He lives in Shenzhen, China, with his wife and two children.
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