A TV series, Dwelling Narrowness, has given a huge impact throughout China, from which we can see how hard living in big cities nowadays. Even though some exaggeration exists in describing the reality, the problems we post-80’ generation are confronted with cannot be ignored any longer.

Recently I have read an article on this topic and it focus on which part of China we can go, the first-tier city or the second-tier city?

     The first-tier city refers to the cities which takes a vital role in our economic and political areas. They are running ahead of other cities in aspects of urban size, infrastructure projects, fiscal revenue and attraction to the able people and so on. Generally speaking, the first-tier cities in China are Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. And the Second-tier cities are some other medium-sized cities.

     According to the analysis, the crazy increase of the domestic property price is relevant to the credit expansion. Because of it, many young people who have expected to get development in the first-tier city had to move to the second-tier city and third-tier city. Some others who are not reconciled to leave their dream place thus become the member of mortgage slave or ant tribe. In addition, the extremely high consumption has forced many of them to be the moonlight clan. They who want to get married but cannot afford the house have to choose the naked wedding.

     But where on earth should we go after the graduation?

     In big cities we could enjoy the advanced technology, the luxury of city life, more opportunity of jobs, high medical level and some kind of satisfaction of vanity as well. But we might rent a small house of 30 square meters for up to ten years, stay on the bus or metro for at least two hours every day, have no time to go back home and see our parents, have no real friends at all, always complain the high-paced city life. We believe that one day we may get an opportunity to be better, but we suddenly realize our white hair and we are no longer young to challenge the reality.

     In comparatively small cities, we could have a new brand of car, not being afraid of traffic jams, have a big enough house with the balcony to the south, spend holiday with our parents and family, and have our every meal on time. We can enjoy the leisure life we always have and we will have the time to go to fish or have a walk with friends all the time. But we may be ordinary through the whole life and often get bored by the simple life. We may lose our enthusiasm or competitive willing. We think the simple life is the happiness, but one day we may give a sign to our no exciting life.

     what kind of life you prefer?

     I confess that I am always greedy and I want a simple life but without being willing to give up more opportunities to get development. I want to earn plenty of money so that I can travel every corner of the world with my family for some time. I love the luxury of city life but I still expect the leisure happiness. People often say that the first-tier city is for your first five years of the youth while the second-tier city for your last five years of youth. Should I be brave enough to challenge the big cities?

     You, my wise friends, please tell me your choice.