Job Discussion Forums

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

Another downside of renting in China, especially for a first timer, is what if it doesn't work out with the school? Do you walk away from all that rent money you have fronted?

There are also more than enough stories of the school moving crosstown, or the teacher being transferred to another branch. That leased apartment that one chose near the school can now be cursed place from which one must start a grueling daily commute.

Shanghai Noon · Joined: 18 Aug 2013 Posts: 589 Location: Shanghai, China

School-provided accommodation doubtlessly has its benefits, but after being chucked out of one apartment with less than 24 hours' notice I will never be doing it again. I'd take the allowance any day.

getbehindthemule · Joined: 15 Oct 2015 Posts: 712 Location: Shanghai

To the OP:

It is standard practice in Shanghai to pay 3 months rent in advance. But this can be negotiated with your landlord. I pay 2 months in advance for example. My landlord is great, not your typical Chinese landlord. He gave me a substantial discount on my rent last Summer. If I need anything fixed, buy anything for the place etc, he allows me to subtract the cost from the next rental payment. So they are not all bad, but prehaps I got lucky haha.

I rent a one bedroom apartment for 3,200rmb/month in a nice area.
It is located in a very old building but is newly renovated inside. It is on the ground floor and stays pretty cool in Summer. It has a reasonable sized kitchen and bedroom, a nice bathroom, a back hallway and a small garden area. WiFi works well, safe, located in a compound. Monthly bills are very fair (electricity average 100/month, water approx. 60bi-monthly, Gas approx. 100bi-monthly)
The location is still quite central, just a short taxi ride or a few stops on the metro from the more Expat areas (French concession, Xujiahui, etc). Also, I much prefer to live close to work, always have (hate commuting to work!).
Obviously if you want to live more central (Jingan, French Concession areas etc.) your cost will at least double.

If you have any other queries, feel free to pm me.
Good luck!

mrpianoman · Joined: 27 Mar 2016 Posts: 171

One poster on the international school forum has said that he checked apartment rent in Shanghai online and it came jup between 25500 and 40000RMB per month. That's £2550 to£4000 per month. Perhaps it's cheaper once you're in China to find a cheaper apartment is it? I see what the other poster means by if your don't get on with the school and you have a free apartment provided by them, you're be homeless. Can they just kick you out like that then if anything goes wrong? Seems a bit risky even for international school teachers going to China if they can cancel your contract.

getbehindthemule · Joined: 15 Oct 2015 Posts: 712 Location: Shanghai

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

theoriginalprankster · Joined: 19 Mar 2012 Posts: 895

getbehindthemule · Joined: 15 Oct 2015 Posts: 712 Location: Shanghai

mrpianoman · Joined: 27 Mar 2016 Posts: 171

That's reasonable rent to pay then and just a few stops from the expatriate areas. I wonder whether those extortionate prices (40000) are for 3=bed apartments then in the expat areas. Must be I guess.

getbehindthemule · Joined: 15 Oct 2015 Posts: 712 Location: Shanghai

mrpianoman · Joined: 27 Mar 2016 Posts: 171

They are UK teachers who work at international schools. one reckons he earns quite a bit more than 25000RMB per month when I suggested that 25k was what they get. They also get a housing allowance on top. One poster reckons she gets 16000 housing allowance a month. Tefl teachers working at WS only get 17000 altogether and hhave to pay rent out of all that. I'd prefer to teach TEFL than work in an international school however even if it does pay more than 25000 per month. just think of al those Chinese school managers you would have to deal with and the possibility of getting fired for the slightest thing.

The bear · Joined: 16 Aug 2015 Posts: 483

danshengou · Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 8:19 pm Post subject:

weigookin74 · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 265

I thought decent modern housing could be had for 4 to 6 K rmb in a Teir one city. Also, I thought the public schools in Beijing don't give housing, just a salary - maybe 15 or 16 K rmb. So, with housing, you'd be down to maybe 11 K rmb, minus taxes, you'd have 9 or 10 K rmb left to play with. Of course some language mills can go up to 20 K or more. But, you do work harder.

Also, I hear the websites and the services for foreigners tend to rip you off.

So, getting a Chinese to go with you and meet a Chinese agent would prob get better prices than these English websites market to.

http://www.smartshanghai.com/housing/apartments-rent/?price_from=3000&price_to=7000

But, they are examples. My question though is are there banks or global atms where you can take money off your credit card? Or can you bring a travellers check and change it at the bank of China when you arrive? How do you bring money into China?

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154

Many ATMs accept visa/mastercard. At least they did when I needed it. I do have a Chinese wife, but my dealings with landlords has always been ok.The school provided housing not so much. I have not rented through an agent though, so that might change things.