You have decided to make your home in China, whether by your own personal choice or because your host organization sent you on business, there are some guidelines that may be helpful to make the transition as smooth as possible. The suggestions below are relevant to those looking to rent an apartment rather than buy one.
find an agent
If you don’t have personal references from friends or colleagues, the best option is to grab some of the free magazine publications available in bars and hotels. These are magazines in English with all kinds of useful details about housing and social life (restaurants, bars, events, etc.).
Some of the most popular editions are: Time Out Beijing (monthly), That’s Beijing (monthly), City Weekend (fortnightly); all of them are also available online.
Agencies usually charge a fee, which is settled with the owner. Do not pay anything to the agency in advance as you will most likely never be able to find the person again. Domestic agencies will accept your application only if you are looking for apartments of $120 (per month) and more, foreign agencies cater for rents of $500 and more.
Good agencies will be able to provide you with information about the benefits and drawbacks of the area and the building complex. They will also show a lot of patience in understanding your needs and will eventually provide you with a variety of suitable apartments for you.
Rent is generally paid 3 months in advance to the landlord and contracts are signed for up to 1 year. Owners may be reluctant to sign a short-term contract. Once you have found the accommodation that suits you, make sure you are registered with the local office of the Public Security Bureau (PSB – pai chu suo). The registration process is fast and free. Failure to do so will result in a fine of up to RMB 500/day (USD 65) and you will not be able to renew your visa.
Working with a budget
These suggestions are for your reference only. There are many more options than those listed below, this is just to give you an idea of what type of home you may be looking for based on your budget.
$120 – $250 per month
You will see areas that are outside of central Beijing, Chinese housing, dirty buildings, and an elevator service that stops at midnight (to name just a few). Some other inconveniences that may arise are: not being accepted by the neighborhood (all foreigners are supposed to have a lot of money and should not be in cheap housing), inconvenient traffic, poor access to foreign food – market, etc. ). However, you will be immediately immersed in the Chinese way of life, so you will quickly gain insight into the local community and Chinese culture.
$250 – $400 per month
Some suggestions about the areas you may be seeing
Maizidian
Located behind the Great Wall Sheraton Hotel, in a fairly central location, this apartment complex has long been the first choice among foreigners for affordable and convenient budget accommodation. There are many different apartments you can find, including some duplexes as low as $250/month.
Wang Jing Xin Cheng
Closer to the airport, you can find 3-bedroom apartments with excellent facilities. However, traffic into the city center can be a nightmare.
Dongzhemen Wai
Old apartments, very central but can be a bit dirty for those interested in better living conditions.
$500 – $1000 per month
Apartments for this price give you the most flexibility in choosing your location. Be specific in your demands and the agents will be happy to show you around. Traffic in Beijing is a real nightmare, so find something close to your work, or if you plan to work at home, look for conveniences like nightlife, markets, stores with foreign food (such as dairy products, fresh meat, fine wines, etc.) ). .)
$1,200 – $2,000 per month
With this budget you will be able to look for an apartment in one of the Foreign Enclosures. There are 5 of them located in Chaoyang District and near the embassies: Tayuan Complex, San Li Tun Complex (2 of them), Qijia Yuan Complex and Jianguomen Wai Complex. There are many embassies as well as business offices and news agencies located there. Until 1997, foreigners were only allowed to live in these five areas surrounded by large walls and heavy security measures. If you’re interested in mingling with the Chinese, they won’t be allowed in the gates without you, which can be inconvenient.
There are other areas with similar settings where you will be able to find accommodation. The only difference is that the doors are open to everyone, as long as you provide the details of the host (building and apartment number). Some apartment blocks available within this price range: Sunshine 100, Suncity, Lianbao, East Lake Villas, etc., all located in the central area.
$3,000 per month, and up (high-end housing)
Enjoy the luxury of living in Beijing! Housing at the higher end of the market can fetch up to $10-20,000 per month. Villas, patios, the choice is yours.
The villas are located closer to the airport, with somewhat cooler air and a better chance of seeing clear skies (Beijing is heavily polluted and that may be the biggest problem those who want to live here have to get used to, besides the traffic). It’s quite secluded, requires a car and doesn’t give much of a feeling that you live in Beijing (quite an American style of architecture)
Courtyard houses are the latest fashion. They are typical Beijing houses converted to the old style, where about 10 families used to live together sharing the same courtyard, public tap and toilet. In recent years, Beijing’s breakneck real estate development demolished most of the courtyard houses, and the few that now remain have been recently renovated and are something of a status symbol. What used to be a cramped dwelling with poor facilities is now the ultimate in luxury for a family, who can go out and enjoy the peace of the garden in the middle of the city centre. Pollution is still a problem, but since most courtyard houses are situated in local Chinese communities, it combines the advantages of mingling with the locals and enjoying the benefits of good fengshui.
Copyright 2006 Dalida Turkovic