At one end of the Pearl River Delta Economic Belt, Shenzhen, a modern metropolis, attracts many people with its cost-effective life. Hong Kong native Xiao Li also had expectations for life in Shenzhen. He tried to rent a house in Shenzhen in order to embrace more opportunities in his work. But a month later, he couldn't stand the four-hour daily commute and decided to move back to Hong Kong.
Xiao Li was initially attracted by the cost of living in Shenzhen. Compared with Hong Kong, Shenzhen's rents are cheaper and the level of consumption is relatively low. But there's more to life than just costs, there are other considerations. He gradually felt the contradiction between the convenience of life and the social barrier. Despite the daily conveniences of living in Shenzhen, the connection with friends and family in Hong Kong has become estranged.
The contrast between the cost of living in Shenzhen and Hong Kong is indeed obvious. Even though rents in Shenzhen are rising year by year, they are still attractive compared to Hong Kong. But the time and effort cost of commuting is another huge expense. The four-hour round trip every day is time-consuming and affects productivity.
There are quite a few Hong Kong people like Xiao Li who have been commuting between Shenzhen and Hong Kong for a long time. They bear this challenge for the sake of their careers and their lives. Xiao Li tried to adapt, but the long commute took a toll on his quality of life.
Hong Kong migrant workers who live in rented houses in Shenzhen experience a paradoxical life of commuting between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. They oscillated between the two cities, feeling the different rhythms of life. And the long commute has left them exhausted.
The viability of commuting between Shenzhen and Hong Kong is always a matter of personal choice. Some people are able to persevere and enjoy the convenience of living in the twin cities, while others are reluctant to pay too much for it. The biggest beneficiaries of Shenzhen-Hong Kong twin city life are often those who can flexibly adjust their own pace of life.
When Xiao Li first arrived in Shenzhen, he was full of expectations for life. He hopes to find better job opportunities here and enjoy a more livable environment. But the gap between reality and expectations gradually disappointed him.
Commuting not only affected Xiao Li's quality of life, but also brought psychological stress. The long driving time and the high toll fees made him feel more and more that this life was not worth living. He began to wonder if such a commuter was really worth it.
The personal choice of commuting between Shenzhen and Hong Kong is closely linked to the pace of life. Some people choose to commute because they can find a balance between the two cities. However, there are also people who, like Xiao Li, find that the pace of commuting is not suitable for them.
In the midst of repeated commutes and busy work, Xiao Li is looking for spiritual solace. He tried to find joy in life in Shenzhen, but he couldn't ignore the huge commute time.
The trade-off between Shenzhen's convenience and Hong Kong's job opportunities has always been a balance in Li's mind. He is constantly looking for a balance between the two, hoping to find the lifestyle that suits him best.
The impact of commuting on an individual's life is complex. Through the case of Xiao Li, we see a concrete example. He eventually chose to move back to Hong Kong because he found the commute too costly.
Commuters choose to move back to Hong Kong for different reasons. For Xiao Li, it is because commuting consumes too much of his precious time, affecting his work and quality of life. He eventually made a difficult decision to return to Hong Kong. Behind this decision is his high pursuit of quality of life and respect for time.