About "The Good Life"

You don't have to have a gazillion yuan to live The Good Life.

Everyone knows about conspicuous consumption. The January "Top Show" is ample proof of Shenzhen's fascination with money.

That's not what this column is about.

It's about living well, usually on a budget, in a city that seems to value work above leisure.

A park, a museum, a historic site; a small, friendly restaurant; a bookstore with used English books; a quiet little club with live jazz; a nature trail; an amazing view; cheese; an English-speaking, painless, low-priced dentist.

These are all elements of "The Good Life."

Watch here for tips from James and his friends on how to get side-lined from the rat race, even for a moment, to recharge your batteries and dive back in.