Ask for expat package which will include housing allowances,health and misc.Depends on how you can negotiate with your employers.I live in shanghai for 3 months and i find living there is GREAT! RMB20K wouldn't be enough if you go shopping everyday,clubbing every night definately...If you live a moderate kind of spending life then you have ample to save provided you know where to eat and buy stuffs.

Instead of living in PuXi,why not try living in PuDong.there's a great place to stay which has cheap places to eat as well.

If you're paid with expatriate salary,you wouldn't have to worry bout housing,transportation and misc (what's negotiated with your employers).

With RMB 9.6 and in TOTAL SAVING MODE expenditures would be RMB3000 at most.count in everything.excluding condom expenses which you might want to buy over there coz of the girls there.lolz.