Indeed, salary levels appear to be a very important factor for luring graduates to first-tier cities. According to a report released by zhaopin.com this July, among 37 major Chinese cities, Beijing has the highest average monthly salary with 9,791 yuan ($1473.12) before tax, followed by Shanghai (9,337 yuan), Shenzhen (8,866 yuan), Hangzhou (7,933 yuan) and Guangzhou (7,754 yuan).
Apart from salaries, Zhou added that her major is in journalism which makes it easier to find related work opportunities in first-tier cities. "Shanghai is an international city, and if I can find a job in the media industry here, then I can develop a global vision in the industry," she added.
Pushing out non-locals
It's certainly true that first-tier cities can boast greater career opportunities, more advanced infrastructure and better social resources than second-tier cities. However, first-tier cities' tightening of residency permits, rising house prices, expensive rentals and more competitive job environments also help to push non-local young people out of the job market.
Twenty-seven-year-old Li Chengkai from Jiangsu Province works in the architecture industry in Shanghai. And although Li is employed by a reputable firm and earns a decent salary, he is still finding it a struggle to become permanently settled in the city.
"It will take me years to get a Shanghai hukou because I didn't attend a university here and I only have a bachelor's degree. Without a Shanghai hukou, I cannot buy my own house in the city," Li said.
"Also, house prices in Shanghai have been skyrocketing. Even though my monthly salary far exceeds the city's average monthly salary, I still can't save enough money to buy a small apartment by myself."
Similar concerns were echoed by postgraduate student Qiu. She said she might consider working in first-tier cities for three years after graduating, but doesn't want to settle down in a first-tier city.
"Beijing and Shanghai definitely have the best infrastructure, and educational and medical resources in China. But the cost of living in these cities is also huge. You need to deal with high housing prices, a fast pace of life, long commute times and a very competitive work environment," she said.
"So I might eventually settle down in a second-tier city like Xi'an, where I can live in a larger property, spend less time commuting, and generally enjoy an easier lifestyle."
Her internship experience in Beijing also made her realize that she doesn't enjoy the pace of work in larger cities.
"I attended university in Beijing and when I did my internship there, I had to travel 15 bus stops to get to the office," Qiu recalls. "There was usually no free seat on the bus during peak hours, and I had to stand for two to three hours for each commute. When I got back to my dorm, I was completely exhausted and just wanted to sleep."
More rational choices
Despite the greater living pressures in first-tier cities, the majority of interviewees pointed out that most of their university classmates still prefer Shanghai, Beijing or Guangzhou. "The main reason is that first-tier cities offer better work opportunities and higher salaries than smaller cities," Zhou added.
Qiu told the Global Times that some of her Chinese classmates and friends in the UK have specific reasons for choosing first-tier cities, while others just feel it is the right thing to do. "Many of my peers think it's shameful if they study abroad and don't end up working in a first-tier city. And to be honest, I feel the same," she added.
As for Yuan, she believes her peers are more rational in terms of which city to go to after graduation. "My schoolmates no longer think first-tier cities are necessarily the best options. They tend to make a decision based on their own circumstances," she said.
Yuan also suggested that graduates should consider their personal financial situation when it comes to choosing a career plan and deciding which city to live in. "It is unwise for graduates to simply follow the masses to go to first-tier cities. But it is also unwise to choose second-tier cities just because of the hukou and housing subsidies," she added.
