<![CDATA[Comments on: Buying a House]]> 2009-05-28 18:00:00 <![CDATA[By: jennyzhu]]> Buying an apartment before marriage is a huge deal and almost compulsory in China. I have seen people whose otherwise good relationships end over this issue, because they can't afford an apartment. And it is just not realistic for young people to afford an apartment nowadays. So parents usually need to chip in. Some even contribute their life saving.

]]> Buying an apartment before marriage is a huge deal and almost compulsory in China. I have seen people whose otherwise good relationships end over this issue, because they can't afford an apartment. And it is just not realistic for young people to afford an apartment nowadays. So parents usually need to chip in. Some even contribute their life saving.

]]> <![CDATA[By: darylk]]> Let's hope housing prices come down in China as they have in the US. 

]]> Let's hope housing prices come down in China as they have in the US. 

]]> <![CDATA[By: euphonies]]> 中国的年轻人有怎么多社会的压力阿！

真的好不容易当男人! ^^

怪不得很多女的朋友找不到对象！：（

 

]]> 中国的年轻人有怎么多社会的压力阿！

真的好不容易当男人! ^^

怪不得很多女的朋友找不到对象！：（

 

]]> <![CDATA[By: blink88]]> Demographic alone is tough enough, now the requirement of an apartment, not too mention a car and a good job. No wonder some families just want a daughter. ^__^

中国需要多一些外国女孩^__^

]]> Demographic alone is tough enough, now the requirement of an apartment, not too mention a car and a good job. No wonder some families just want a daughter. ^__^

中国需要多一些外国女孩^__^

]]> <![CDATA[By: mark]]> My wife didn't start bugging me to buy a house until after we married.  文化差异之一。

]]> My wife didn't start bugging me to buy a house until after we married.  文化差异之一。

]]> <![CDATA[By: juzi]]> Thanks for this lesson!

I heard that in Shanghai, a house is not enough. A woman also wants a man who owns a car as well (in a crowded metropolis where it's impractical for every person to have a car). Anyway maybe this is just a requirement for those very well off women?

]]> Thanks for this lesson!

I heard that in Shanghai, a house is not enough. A woman also wants a man who owns a car as well (in a crowded metropolis where it's impractical for every person to have a car). Anyway maybe this is just a requirement for those very well off women?

]]> <![CDATA[By: bekki]]> Oh- it's about houses today- that's great! I work for a property company so it's very relevant. Thanks!!

]]> Oh- it's about houses today- that's great! I work for a property company so it's very relevant. Thanks!!

]]> <![CDATA[By: pearltowerpete]]> Hi juzi,

A car is definitely a big advantage for a young man here-- not just in the cities, but maybe even more in the countryside. I agree that they are not practical, but having a car gives you lots of face!

周围的邻居，不是开宝马，就是开奔驰，你要是开一日本车你都不好意思跟人家打个招呼！- That classic quote comes from Big Shot's Funeral.

As Jenny suggested, home ownership is not practical (or economically rational) for young urban people making three to eight thousand RMB per month, which is a pretty good range. Many people end up with a huge mortgage and become 房奴, literally "slaves to their house．＂

]]> Hi juzi,

A car is definitely a big advantage for a young man here-- not just in the cities, but maybe even more in the countryside. I agree that they are not practical, but having a car gives you lots of face!

周围的邻居，不是开宝马，就是开奔驰，你要是开一日本车你都不好意思跟人家打个招呼！- That classic quote comes from Big Shot's Funeral.

As Jenny suggested, home ownership is not practical (or economically rational) for young urban people making three to eight thousand RMB per month, which is a pretty good range. Many people end up with a huge mortgage and become 房奴, literally "slaves to their house．＂

]]> <![CDATA[By: alexyzye]]> What does "University Town Station" (in photo) mean?

On the issue of poor guys losing out...

While its unfortunate for the guys who can't afford a house, this is really natural selection in action, in populations where there are more individuals that can be sustained by the eco-system. Obviously, there can never be enough economic resources for every person to own a house, car, etc., therefore, it makes sense to select those who have more than others when choosing a mate, so that traits that confer resourcefulness may be passed on to the next generation.

At least now in a free market, every person has the opportunity to make money if he/she is resourceful, even if born poor.

 

]]> What does "University Town Station" (in photo) mean?

On the issue of poor guys losing out...

While its unfortunate for the guys who can't afford a house, this is really natural selection in action, in populations where there are more individuals that can be sustained by the eco-system. Obviously, there can never be enough economic resources for every person to own a house, car, etc., therefore, it makes sense to select those who have more than others when choosing a mate, so that traits that confer resourcefulness may be passed on to the next generation.

At least now in a free market, every person has the opportunity to make money if he/she is resourceful, even if born poor.

 

]]> <![CDATA[By: pearltowerpete]]> Hi alexyzye

Many cities in China have a "university town." As real estate tends to be cheaper outside the city center, a group of colleges will often cluster together outside the urban center. Nanjing has a big one, and apparently Songjiang (an area near Shanghai) does too.

I know what you're talking about regarding free markets and mating, but it sounds a little like Social Darwinism to me. In the modern world, it's not ecological but rather social factors that determine who passes on their genes.

There are an awful lot of people in China and elsewhere who are rich and powerful (and get to have lots of sex children) not because of their resourcefulness but because of their connections, ruthlessness, and dumb luck.

If you can pardon an American example, think of our former President, who was memorably described as someone who was "born on third base but thought he hit a triple."

]]> Hi alexyzye

Many cities in China have a "university town." As real estate tends to be cheaper outside the city center, a group of colleges will often cluster together outside the urban center. Nanjing has a big one, and apparently Songjiang (an area near Shanghai) does too.

I know what you're talking about regarding free markets and mating, but it sounds a little like Social Darwinism to me. In the modern world, it's not ecological but rather social factors that determine who passes on their genes.

There are an awful lot of people in China and elsewhere who are rich and powerful (and get to have lots of sex children) not because of their resourcefulness but because of their connections, ruthlessness, and dumb luck.

If you can pardon an American example, think of our former President, who was memorably described as someone who was "born on third base but thought he hit a triple."

]]>