The discussion is very interesting. I agree with most of points made by the author. Once you get a job in US, if you put all the benefits, like medical insurance coverage and other life insurance, you can see a huge difference between US and China.
I worked in Shanghai before I came to US, and I made an income falling into the range discussed above. After ta
x, you took home a very limited amount, and you have to pay all medical expenses, make provision for kid's education and your own pension/retirement savings. I knew everything would be good if you are healthy and young, but we are human beings -we are mortals and we cannot avoid falling ills.
Later I came to US, and got a job after master education. I live in Los Angeles. I understand the money I make here gives more value. One example, here you pay social security tax, but you will be delighted to know when you die now, your family can get $500 a month (before I just work for 1.5 years). In addition, you pay $100/2 weeks, you fully cover your whole family's medical, dental and eye insurance. You do not have to worry about seeing a doctor -every time you have to pay only $20 co-pay for doctor visit.
One additional value for a person living in US is, the relatively low car purchase and maintenance costs. In China, I believe owning a car is still a luxury item, but in most cities in US, it is a necessity.
In all, if you can make a millionaire in China, do not hesitate going back to China and make it happen. If not, second thought whatever you hear about the easy-money-making stories in China - it is very simple, consider how respresentative of the sample against the population yourself may be a member of.
Good luck for those choosing to stay and those choosing to go back.
-- by 会员 DL88 (2010/4/30 15:44:56)