I have been in Harbin several times.
Personally, I like this city. There are many old Russian buildings in the centre. It`s cold in winter indeed, but people wear special clothes for such a weather. The city has a very good heating system. Chinese are wearing T-shirts in their homes.
You can see pictures from Harbin and the Ice Festival on: www.webshots.com (world travel-China )
Prices are not high in Harbin.
I was looking for a school in Harbin last year.
The Highbird English school was offering 7000RMB/month.
The Chinese manager of this school doesn`t mention anything about the office hours in her postings. Foreign teachers are supposed to be at school from
9am.-5pm.
I hope, you can get a work visa. From 1st.January 2005, a university degree is asked in China, too.