More young people opt for living in smaller cities

Yan Bing, a 31-year-old electronics engineer, had quit his job in Beijing in late June and decided to embark on a new life in Suzhou, Jiangsu province.

"Many of my peers and workmates thought I was crazy to change my job location from a top-tier city to a lesser-known place," Yan said. "But it's a better choice for me, anyway. I'm not a native of Beijing, and the cost of living in Beijing is much higher than in Suzhou."

Yan is among a growing number of young workers who are finding China's second- and third-tier cities increasingly attractive, due to lower living costs, improved working environments and better housing or entrepreneur support policies. However, top-tier cities are still more attractive overall.