Monthly Breakdown for VPN Survivors, Cross-Border Workers, and Brave Experimenters

I only stayed a week in Shenzhen — and let’s just say Gmail wasn’t having it. Even with a paid VPN, I struggled to get my work tools up. So yes, I ended up taking the bullet train into Hong Kong every day just to get my work done. Painful? Yes. But hey, at least I tested it out so you don’t have to.

This breakdown is extrapolated from a week — so costs are approximate for a month-long stay under similar conditions.

💰 Expenses Breakdown

🛏️ Accommodation: SGD1,800
→ Booked a hotel with in-unit washer and dryer. It was clean, comfortable, and perfect for a short stay.
🍽️ Food: ~SGD50/day
→ The food was incredible — flavourful, filling, and generous in portion.
→ Standouts: dumplings, and this sliced potato dish I still think about.
🚇 Transport: SGD500
→ The high cost comes from daily high-speed rail rides into Hong Kong to work. Local transport in Shenzhen itself is affordable and well-connected.
💄 Grooming: SGD200
→ Mostly spent in malls, snacks, and small splurges between trains.

Total: ~SGD4,050 (excluding activities)

📌 Not your typical month — but a good case study for what remote work looks like when access is limited.

🏡 Where to Stay in Shenzhen

✔️ Near a high-speed rail station — I was just a few stops away, and it made the daily HK commute slightly less painful.
✔️ Pick a hotel with self-service laundry if staying longer — not all provide it, but it’s a lifesaver.

🏠 Airbnb, Hotel, or Something Else?

✅ Hotels can be more reliable for VPN workarounds, and come with helpful amenities.
✅ Airbnb options vary — but vet them well for connectivity and location if planning to work remotely.

📌 I had a paid VPN, a hopeful heart, and zero Gmail access. If your work depends on Google apps, just assume it won’t work — even with backups. I ended up commuting into Hong Kong daily like it was my second job. Book smart or suffer in silence (and 404 errors).

🍽️ Food and Dining in Shenzhen (SGD50/day)

✔️ Dumplings — Fresh, flavourful, and usually cheap.
✔️ Sliced Potato Dish — Thinly cut, spicy and addictive. It’s a must.

📌 Quantity is generous — and meals often come with soup or sides.

🚕 Transport Costs (SGD500 for the Month)

✔️ Install Alipay and use QR codes for metro and bus.
✔️ Daily security screenings at stations — so factor in time.

📌 High-speed rail to Hong Kong adds cost and complexity, but may be necessary for remote work depending on your needs.

📶 Internet and Workspaces (SGD25)

✔️ Gmail, Google Suite, and most Western apps don’t work well — even with a paid VPN.
✔️ I couldn’t reliably work from Shenzhen, and had to relocate to Hong Kong during workdays

📌 If you depend on Gmail or cloud tools, prepare a backup plan. Hong Kong is just a train ride away.

🎟️ Where I Spent My Time in Shenzhen

✔️ Shopping malls are massive and modern — even just walking through one felt like a full outing.

📌 I didn’t explore much beyond my area this trip, since half my time was spent commuting and working from Hong Kong.

🌟 Final Thoughts: Was SGD4,050 Worth It?

✔️ As a lifestyle test? Useful.
✔️ For actual remote work? No — unless your tools don’t rely on Google.
✔️ The food and infrastructure were great, but the tech limitations made this setup tough.

🙋‍♀️ Who This City is For

• Foodies and digital detoxers
• Travellers working off Gmail
• People who want to base in China but work from Hong Kong when needed