Job Discussion Forums

neverheardofem · Joined: 29 Feb 2012 Posts: 100

I have an offer in Beijing and would love to accept, but looking at costs to start up there, am not sure if I can manage it at all. I've looked at a few websites and the cost of an apartment seems at least 4000rmb for a one bed. So, with a deposit and 3 months� rent - 16,000rmb. This is on top of paying for flight, living expenses before you get paid and other miscellaneous costs. That is an awful lot unless you have been saving for a while. Has anyone had to face this much on arrival? Is the 3 month rent in advance ever negotiable to say, just 2 months?

chinatimes · Joined: 27 May 2012 Posts: 478

Yea, downtown Beijing is not a good place to rent on your own. What I did was rent a room from a Chinese guy. He lives in Chaoyang, but he is Near the Batong line east of Line 1 (red line). Check the subway map, and if you can commute from there I can give you his contact info as well as rent costs.

If you want to go to the Haidian/Wudaoku area, then maybe you can find another place to rent at www.thebeijinger.com

Those places are cheaper. Even if you want your own place, renting a month or so first at a cheaper rate will give you a chance to find a place you prefer.

Dedicated · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 972 Location: UK

Neverheardofem,

Frankly, I would never even consider a job in China unless I was paid flights and accommodation. I worked 4 years in China and always received those.

What are your qualifications/experience? If you have both of these you do NOT have to accept an offer that expects you to pay tickets and rental.

Look elsewhere.

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

Most schools that offer airfare don't pay it up front. You get reimbursed at the end of the contract, or maybe half after the first term and the rest at the end.

OP, why not look for a job that offers housing?

.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

The vast majority of schools in China offer free housing. Shanghai and Beijing get away with this (making teachers pay for their own housing) because there are so many foreigners available to take jobs in these cities that they can do this.

If teachers refused to take a job without housing, housing would suddenly become available.

Supply/demand.

dogUNLEASHED · Joined: 07 May 2008 Posts: 42

Can anyone give me a ballpark figure on what a simple studio apartment in Tianjin may cost?