Dongfang's workers say their incomes are better at the new plant. HUANG YIMING / CHINA DAILY

Crane operator Wen Rui says salaries are also better at the new plant.

"But the requirements are also stricter," says the 38-year-old Chengdu native, who has worked at Dongfang since 1994.

She earned 1,200 yuan ($194) a month in Hanwang and gets more than 3,000 yuan in Bajiao.

"Outside work, the big city brings many conveniences, but also demands."

Wen says her 15-year-old daughter's education has been her greatest concern. But her informal learning experiences are broader, she explains.

"Here, we can own a car and take our daughter around on weekends," Wen says.

"The city offers more to stimulate her development. She can go more places, meet more people, see more things. It expands her horizons."

Yet the downside of the better location is traffic.

Still, the workers agree the relocation is worth the hassles.

"Aside from the deaths, the earthquake was a great thing for people here," Wen says.

"The recovery has pushed our lives beyond where they would have been by this point. Life is getting better."

Huang Zhiling and Cao Huan contributed to the story.