My Days Living in Urban Villages

Because I had no money, and I didn't seriously study or improve my work skills to negotiate a raise with my boss, I kept living in urban villages to save money.

The first urban village I lived in was a shared rental—a mixed-gender dorm where nearly 20 people crammed into a one-bedroom, one-living-room apartment near the Shenzhen talent market. Women stayed in the bedroom, men in the living room. It was packed with iron bunk beds. Once, the police took us all to the station, calling us an "unknown population." But everyone was pretty well-behaved; aside from things getting stolen, no serious crimes happened.

The second time I lived in an urban village was near Sanhe in Longhua—the famous place where the "Sanhe Gods" come from. It was pretty cheap, about 300+ yuan a month, a room with a toilet.

The third time was something else. I lived in Shangxia Sha, Luohu, paying 1,200 yuan for a two-bedroom, one-living-room apartment, sharing with a roommate.

The fourth and last time I lived in an urban village was a rooftop loft, 600 yuan a month. It was unbearably hot in summer, but I refused to turn on the air conditioner to save money. The landlord was really worried I'd die from heatstroke up there.

Then suddenly I had money and never lived in an urban village again.

I really miss the urban villages. They buried my youth.