More than four out of five foreign nationals enjoy their life in Shenzhen and almost three quarters would recommend the city to friends and relatives, according to a study published by a research group yesterday (Aug 24).
Public Participation, a non-profit organization, surveyed more than 150 respondents over the course of a month. Less than 1 percent of those surveyed said they were not enjoying their stay in Shenzhen, and 21 percent thought life in Shenzhen was excellent.
The survey also suggested that men were slightly more critical than women, with only 16 percent of men but 27 percent of women judging it excellent.
Only 5 percent of foreigners that have stayed in the city for over a year deemed their stay "so-so," against 22 percent of those that have been in Shenzhen for less than six months.
This result was in line with the respondents' job satisfaction. Sixty-nine percent of expats judged their current employment situation as "good" or "very good."
Most expats work in one of five different employment categories: teachers and educators; managers and executives; engineers; consultants and specialists; and students.
Expats cited traffic and public services as aspects of the city that have room for improvement. Thirty-five percent of expats rated both traffic and public services below average, with traffic congestion being the most troublesome.
The survey was conducted to reflect the lives of expats to mark the anniversary of the establishment of the city, which falls on tomorrow.
There are around 20,000 foreign nationals living permanently (for more than one year) in Shenzhen, with 480,000 foreigners living in the city on a short-term basis every year.
(by Tina Chen)
