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"When I first arrived in Beijing, I realized how big the city is," recalled a beipiao, or Beijing drifter, which refers to those who struggle to make a living in Beijing, at a BBS online forum.
"Every day, I breathed the dry air and was troubled by heavy traffic. My meagre income seemed to be incompatible with the city." Despite the hard life, living in Beijing can provide something different. "I gradually began to feel its inclusiveness. I came across to different opportunities, and I can choose. Then I saw a good future here," the beipiao said.
A group of Beijing drifters at different ages tell their stories in the city in response to the question of why they still continue living in Beijing despite their stated daily life struggles.
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Despite heavy traffic and air pollution, many young people still choose the capital for a better life. [Photo/Asianewsphoto] |
Jing Rong in his 20s
Jing Rong is from northwest China's Gansu province. After graduating from a university in Hebei, he worked at a company in Shandong province. However, he found himself not able to adapt to the job.
Later, he quit his job and started a master program in a normal university in Beijing after which he became a teacher in a key secondary school in a Beijing suburban county.
"I attended the graduate school to become a teacher. I think teaching is a stable job in the long term, and it can help get household registration in Beijing," said Jing.
For him, Beijing has advantages in educational resources and there are plenty of job opportunities.
"In Beijing, I can compete with others fairly just relying on my own abilities, while in some small cities, competitors may use their connections, if any, when looking for jobs," he added.
