Thanks for the input! So when you say that the cost of living is "crippling", I assume you mean that the housing allowance does not quite cover the rent?
As for the other annoyances, I have some friends who fly in mainland China who have given me some details as to what to expect. But to be perfectly honest, things are so terrible and utterly broken here in the US, that I honestly can't imagine it would be a whole lot worse!
Any other thoughts?