Xiamen is a nice place to visit, but Ningbo is my choice to live. Spent quite a bit of time there and love it. It is very unlike just about anywhere else in China. It's clean, friendly, and not overly expensive. It's got your foreign amenities, but not "in your face" like some of the bigger cities in China. It's got an interesting and exciting nightlife, without any of the scuzzy side effects like rampant prostitution It's just a great place, and it sports the longest bridge in the world, which will take you to Shanghai quite quickly.