Giving up everything and moving to China.Has anyone done this?

I'm thinking about giving up everything I've ever done in my homeland (USA) and moving to China. I've fallen in love with a native and can't live without her. is this being impulsive or just following a dream?

Your cyber girlfriend might have the same idea about moving to the States to be with you, so you'd better ask her up front what she wants.

My experience is that most Chinese girls can't be away from their families for an extended period of time, and if this is the case you should be prepared to live in an extremely close proximity to her parents and grandparents for the rest of your/their lives. This includes the 99% chance that they will expect to move in with you, even if all you can afford is a cramped 2-bedroom apartment. Think I'm kidding or stereotyping? Come here and find out yourself.

BUT...if she is one of those notorious "visa girls" just looking to escape China, then she's going to be real ticked off if you decide to stay in China. Like I said, press her for an honest answer before you make the move. That said, come on over! There's literally millions of other potential soul mates here should the other girl fall through.

I myself came on a lark by responding to a teach English job ad. I just threw my stuff in storage, tossed some books and clothes into my backpack and flew over without any semblance of Chinese language or culture. I only expected to stay about a year, but I've been here 4 straight years since, never had the desire to return home.

The thing with most expats in China is that they either love it or detest it; it usually breaks the weak ones within the first half year; if you last longer than that then you know you've found your second home.

p.s. White Shooting Star of HK is a very knowledgeable member of YA, but from his latest answer it seems he adheres to the traditional Chinese belief that life should be methodically mapped out and one should never follow their impulses. As an American and world traveler, I take exception to this custom; do what your heart tells you!

have you met her in real life or is this an internet thing? china is totally different than the U.S (well, obvioiusly)...i've lived in japan (live in texas now) and it was extremely difficult to get used to tokyo.

Follow your dream....start planning, it is feasible....

I'm about to do the same...taking my time to jump farther...

I havnt done it, i am considering going to China though. it seems a lot more cultural and diverse and pretty much amazing there! Why not visit China first and meet the native? why move? you never know until you get there..she can be mean (which i doubt) or she can be nice..just make sure because on the internet everyone can be a nice guy. Well if you do move there, ill see ya there sometime in the future :)

Where did you meet this girl? If you did so on the web, then don't bother moving there.

However, if you really want to, then meet her first, visit China, then decide. This isn't fairy tale, you can't just do something that you want and not plan it.

If you met her in reality for a long time than you should do it otherwise no

have you met her face to face yet? actually i done the same thing,i met a Japanese girl online while i was in Scotland and she was in London studying..and we met each month,then she had to go back to Tokyo and she asked if i would join her..ofcourse i didn`t want to lose her and i decided to leave everything behind and moved to Japan.. there has been hard times(living in a new culture etc) but i know it was the right thing to do and even though Japan is not the best place for me,i know my now wife is the best thing for me..

I think you should follow your heart ...deep inside you know the best for yourself...i wish you all the best