
Wangfujing Street in Beijing
An expat in Beijing talks about moving to Beijing. She advised others to leave your high heels at home to avoid sprained ankles, consider living in a serviced apartment the first few months and get help from a local when choosing your location in Beijing.
Beijing
Three things I wish I had brought when moving to Beijing: My favorite hair products - American products are really expensive and sometimes impossible to find. Cocktail bitters - I come from a place where craft cocktails are all the rage. Finding anything but agnosta bitters is unheard of. My favorite chair - most everyone buys their furniture at IKEA, which is fine. But, if you want something different there aren't many places where you can walk in, try something and then go home with it any earlier than 6 weeks.
Three things I didn't need to bring Any of my kitchen appliances - I knew my hairdryer didn't work but didn't think about anything else. You will have to have a converter to use with anything. Way easier to just buy a new appliance. High heel shoes - I sprained my ankle within 2 weeks of arriving. The sidewalks are uneven and horrible to walk on. I won't wear high heels ever in Beijing. Hard luggage - I've converted everything to soft so I can pack it away. It's hard to move at the airport true, but better than it taking up your living space.
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Find a local from Beijing to help with location. Pay attention to what comes with the property, 24 hour hot water, elevator, heat, satellite tv, internet, and the maintenance. The sizes are in square meters which isn't always accurate because they describe construction size and not the living space.
I live in a high rise apartment / hotel. Yes, to begin with most live in some sort of service apartment or they share a big apartment with several rooms. I prefer to live alone. My apartment is serviced which is nice because they help me care for my cat when I'm away. I've heard you can hire an aiyi and they can teach you to cook.
I used a service called Ihouse. I did lots of research online for expat housing and knew what I wanted. I wanted a real bathroom with a toilet and shower stall and an apartment with lots of closets. I also wanted something close to a subway station. I live near jianguomen and the 2nd ring road.
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The costs are much higher. I pay nearly double what I paid at home. You can find okay housing from 7500 to good housing around 20-25000 Rmb.
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Guide to Living in Beijing, China
Beijing, China: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What to Know About Living in Beijing
China Forum
Join our China forum to meet other people living in Beijing, China.
Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Beijing.
Expats living in China discuss health insurance and quality of medical care in China. Tip 1: if you're going to the hospital in China (or to a doctor), bring a translator!
Rental listings in Beijing. Plus, advice about renting and buying real estate in Beijing
Expats talk about what it's like living in Beijing, China: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What Newcomers to Beijing Should Know
An expat in Beijing advises newcomers to bring shoes (especially if they were larger sizes), a first aid kit and to install a VPN on your computer and phone before you move to China. He explains that you'll need a lot of cash on hand initially since most apartments require 3-month initial payment plus a 1-month deposit. When deciding where to live in Beijing, make sure you live close to work to avoid spending your life in traffic.
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Get a quote for health insurance from our partner, Allianz Care.
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Expats in China offer tips for newcomers and others considering a move to China. Advice what to bring when you move to China, health insurance and healthcare, finding an apartment, expat banking and more.
Expats living in China discuss health insurance and quality of medical care in China. Tip 1: if you're going to the hospital in China (or to a doctor), bring a translator!
With its huge expat population, expats in Qingdao enjoy numerous expat-oriented social events and local resources. Expats also appreciate the friendly and welcoming to locals, sea view homes in the Laoshan district and Qingdao's international schools.
For American expats looking to dine out on Thanksgiving, here's a list of several restaurants offering Thanksgiving dinners in Beijing.
Get a quote for health insurance from our partner, Allianz Care.
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Get a quote for health insurance from our partner, Allianz Care.
Get a Quote
Beijing, China: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What to Know About Living in Beijing
China Forum
Meet other people living in Beijing.
Expats living in China discuss health insurance and quality of medical care in China. Tip 1: if you're going to the hospital in China (or to a doctor), bring a translator!
Rental listings in Beijing. Plus, advice about renting and buying real estate in Beijing
Expats talk about what it's like living in Beijing, China: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What Newcomers to Beijing Should Know
Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Beijing.
An expat in Beijing advises newcomers to bring shoes (especially if they were larger sizes), a first aid kit and to install a VPN on your computer and phone before you move to China. He explains that you'll need a lot of cash on hand initially since most apartments require 3-month initial payment plus a 1-month deposit. When deciding where to live in Beijing, make sure you live close to work to avoid spending your life in traffic.
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