<p>Keep in mind that 1,000 USD a month in 2nd/3rd tier cities like Anhui and Hunan is a very good income (I don’t specifically know what the cost of living is like in those cities, you should ask other teachers).</p>
<p>But I think it is pretty obvious that you don’t become an English teacher in China for the money; you do because of other factors (improve language, experience culture).</p>
<p>The reason I suggested Taiwan (Taipei) is that the standard of living and air quality is much higher than even Beijing (I’ve been to both), which is due to the fact that China has a great deal of manufacturing-type industries, whereas Taiwan’s industries are more high tech.</p>
<p>I personally think Hong Kong is a very good choice (low taxes, standard of living, you speak Cantonese and English, financial center).</p>