25-Year-Old Girl Moves to a Nursing Home to Pay Nearly No Rent (5 photos)

A young Chinese woman now lives in a nursing home, paying only 200 yuan ($30) per month in rent. However, in exchange, she helps other residents, primarily supporting them.





More than two years ago, 25-year-old Zhang Jin moved from Jiangxi Province to Suzhou, located in eastern Jiangsu Province, after finding work there. Around the same time, Zhang saw an online ad for volunteers at a local nursing home. Accommodation in a private room was offered for 200-300 yuan ($30-40) per month, approximately 10 times cheaper than renting a typical apartment. Volunteers had to be under 35, not own property in Suzhou, and have a permanent job.



The Yiyang Senior House nursing home in Suzhou has a capacity of 1,500 residents. Its general director reported that five people, including Zhang, were selected from more than 40 applicants. The client requires them to work at least 45 hours per season.





During weekdays, Zhang works at a company office located 30 minutes from her home. On weekends, she helps elderly residents with dance classes and other recreational activities, interacting with them and providing support.



When asked if she was tired of volunteering in addition to her main job, Zhang replied that the elderly residents give her a lot of love and care, which makes her life less stressful.