Job Discussion Forums

jonathanj · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 93

Has anyone ever rented their own apartment? I am moving to Hangzhou in a few months with my Chinese girlfriend and she is looking into getting her own apartment. I will just be there all the time (of course I won't be living there, that is against the law). Wink

How much is the average cost of a 1 bedroom apartment? How much are deposits? Any other costs?

Thanks in advance.

jeffinflorida · Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 1:55 pm Post subject:

Dude, anyone with a handful of Chairman Mao bucks can rent an apartment. You don't have to show legal documents to get one - maybe a passport - and that's it.

I once shared an apartment with another dude, neither of us had anything more than tourist visas, and there was no issue.

One day there was an "Issue" in our building and about 10 cops came into our rooms. Visa issues where not the issue.

A knock on the door one day turned out to be the local government coming to update who was living in our building and apartment. A quick translation from my Pretty Chinese Girlfriend infomed me that they were there to update Chinese inhabitants and the lady had no interest in how many Laiwai were living there.

If you rent an apartment, pay your utilities and rent on time then no one will bother you or ask to see you visa status - unless you do something wrong or piss someone off...

I pissed off many people and they never came to my apartment to check my visa staus...

Millerlong · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 147 Location: Shanghai, China

It is perfectly legal to live with your Chinese girlfriend. I know many people who live their Chinese girlfriends. Get with the times, that law no longer exists especially in cities like Hangzhou.

Steppenwolf · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 1769

Rooster · Joined: 30 May 2005 Posts: 363

I'm not sure about the prices in Hangzhou, but I would guess that a relatively nice apartment with western amenities will cost around 2,000 yuan per month, plus utilities. I paid that much in Guangzhou.

In GZ, I paid 2 months rent deposit. Perhaps you can negotiate. Utilities, including internet, average around 500 yuan per month. It could be more if you like to be warm and cool.

Good Luck.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

2000 kwai p.c.m!!! You've been done. Last summer I was paying all of 140 yuan a month for a one-bedroom with real good shower etc, negotiated for by a Chinese friend. OK that was in Guangxi, Yangshuo, but YS is not that cheap anymore, by any except East Coast big city or Guangdong standards.

No air-con mind....

Rooster · Joined: 30 May 2005 Posts: 363

I truly doubt that anyone pays 140 yuan per month rent, anywhere in China, unless they live with 7 other people in a walk-up building without any amenities, such as AC!! I wonder if anyone out there can corroborate the Sheep's claim?

Perhaps it can be done in small towns, but in big cities such as GZ and Shanghai, I doubt a luxury abode can be found for less than 2k per month.

Some of us prefer certain luxuries. I now pay 3k per month in a service building in Shanghai. We have an elevator, a convenience store on the 1st floor, a gym, laundry and maid service (both require additional payment), as well as AC. Not to mention my view of the glistening Pudong skyscrapers. As I typed, some of us require more.

I know others in Shanghai who pay more for similar accomodations. I also know others who pay less in Puxi. If you want to live in a walk-up at the end of the subway line, Zhongsan Park, then I'm sure you can find something for a bit less than 2k per month.

On the other hand, you could live in Pudong and pay less. My friend lives with another girl near the Longyang subway station and her half is about 1k per month. A former student lives with 5 others near Century Park. He has his own bedroom, but shares the kitchen, living room and bathroom. He pays 770 per month. Both apartments are walk-ups with squatters. Granted, these numbers are for Shanghai, not Yangshuo.

I still doubt a 1 bedroom apartment in Yangshuo can be rented for 140 yuan per month, unless you share the bathroom etc..

How have I been done? Some of us have plenty of cash and don't need to pinch pennies, GigaBoo!!

no_exit · Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 565 Location: Kunming

In a big city 2000RMB a month isn't unreasonable. In fact, I imagine in Guangzou you're going to end up paying at *least* 1000RMB (likely more) unless you want to live in a hovel. The bigger cities in China are most certainly pricier than Yangshuo, so the comparison isn't really accurate.

I live in Kunming, which is not known for being expensive (maybe a bit cheaper than Hangzhou, but comparable anyhow. Guangzhou and Hangzhou are probably not comparable, and neither would be Yangshuo and Hangzhou), and I've rented apartments ranging from 400-3000RMB a month. Obviously the difference between the 400RMB a month apartment at the low and and the 3000RMB a month apartment on the high end is extreme. The 400RMB apartment was livable, but not really "nice." The 3000RMB a month apartment was gorgeous -- 200sq. meters, 4 bedrooms, 2 living rooms 2 roof gardens. My current apartment is 800RMB a month, 2 bedrooms 1 living room, 1 bathroom 1 kitchen. Fully furnished, newly renovated, and quite comfortable. The price of an apartment will depend a lot on your location, and whether the apartment is new or old, furnished or unfurnished. If you're not familiar with Hangzhou, leave the apartment hunting up to your girlfriend. Let her know what you want and let her search. Just like with all things in China, unless a foreigner knows what he/she is doing, it is easy to get ripped off when hunting for an apartment.

As far as you two living together, I think it is technically illegal unless you're married, but the enforcement of the law is another matter. Don't p*ss anyone off and give people a reason to want you out of there and you should be fine.

jammish · Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 1704

jammish · Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 1704

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

Bigamy is prohibited by law in China but not living together...illegal cohabitation is not defind under Chinese law..however..illegal cohabitation in a hotel is another thing...and can be assumed (by the police/court) to be acts of prostitution...

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

Bigamy is prohibited by law in China but not living together...illegal cohabitation is not defind under Chinese law..however..illegal cohabitation in a hotel is another thing...and can be assumed (by the police/court) to be acts of prostitution...