Job Discussion Forums

[NATO]

I have been offered a position with Sichuan University and the housing allowance they provide is 1500rmb, I am trying to work out whether or not it will cover the location I am looking for. For convenience I would want to be located in the South/SE area within the 2nd ring road. Is 1500 realistically going to cover a 1 bed apartment, kitchen facilities, air con etc in this area?
Input appreciated, thanks.

[ShanghaiSurprise]

First of all, I'm assuming by 1 bedroom, you do NOT mean a studio. I'm assuming you mean a bedroom separate from your living room. The following comments are based on that premise.


Okay, so assuming you are looking for a 1-bedroom apartment, I would say "yes" you can find something, but I won't guarantee it's good. Now, you don't know what I mean by "good", and I don't know your standards for the housing you like to live in.

I have somewhat high standards, so for 1500 rmb I think it will be difficult. [If you are willing to take a studio, your odds go up a lot, in my opinion.] You might have to settle for something really really small if you want it to be somewhat newer (aka - nice). Newer means a newer building or a nice community. If you are willing to just take any 1-bedroom apartment that has some furniture and air-conditioning, then I'm certain you can get it. With that said, I'm sure I would hate living in those places though. Just realize that the standard for Chinese housing is not at the same level as that of western housing. There should be a lot of choices for 1500 RMB, it just might take you a long time (or forever) to find something you are willing to live in for the year.

The southern area is the newer area (in general) because a lot more companies are locating there. New (aka nice) things will be out of your price range unless you want to live in something REALLY small. However, if you're talking about Sichuan University, obviously there's going to be a lot of students... so you can get into that type of housing. And in that same breath, just remember the type of housing you lived in as a student, and then think of the housing that the average Chinese students are probably living in... the picture that comes to mind isn't glowing, but you know the saying, whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

My comments are based on a lot of recent research involving both buying and renting a house, in the areas of south, west and downtown.

OP, if you want to give me an idea of the standard of living you're talking about, I certainly can tell you what I've found out recently.

The easiest detail you can provide me with is what size apartment are you looking for? If you can tell me that, I can give you a much better idea. I just checked to give you an exact number, and the location is in the west end in a really nice community that I like. A studio that is listed at 49 square meters (total size, not livable... that means livable would probably be about 30 - 35 square meters) starts at 1700 rmb, and that is furnished. I consider that a really nice community, and that's why the price is higher. However, the studio is really small.

Based on that, factor the following:

- I think the south is more expensive in general than the west.
- That's a really nice community, so you don't have to be in something that nice.
- It's relatively new, so the inside is nice.
- It's really small, and you sound like you want something a lot bigger.

Based on that type of rationale is the reason I say that I think you might have a hard time finding what you want for 1500 RMB.

In the end, remember that I'm a bit picky, and maybe some other forum members will be able to give you a different answer.

Best of luck, and pm me if you have some questions that I might be able to assist you with.

Cheers.

[NATO]

SS, thank you for taking the time out to respond in such depth. You're right, a studio is not really what I am after. I don't want to live like a student of course, but I can deal with a place that is a bit rough around the edges.
50sqm or above I will find plenty liveable.
I have been trawling through a chinese website:

http://rent.cd.soufun.com/chuzu/3_3474208_1.htm
Modern, fresh and close to SU downtown campus giving me easy access to transportation to the other campus-this would be ideal, but does not represent what I expect.

Other liveable spaces:

http://rent.cd.soufun.com/chuzu/3_3302289_1.htm
http://rent.cd.soufun.com/chuzu/3_3246275_1.htm
http://rent.cd.soufun.com/chuzu/3_3431329_1.htm

Maybe that gives you a better picture of where I am at? Thanks again.

[kev7161]

Hey! I like that last one . . . it has a swimming pool! I'm sold!

[Mister Al]

Yes but it's probably empty, at least most of the time.

[drjtrekker]

oohhh........u took that job...good for u!

I think about half of the original crew that was hired dropped out after they changed the work schedule to 4 days each week traveling to the second campus! yuck!

about 6 hours of drive time per week....yee haw...and still low pay at 4G.
Although, some people do enjoy a good bus ride....

Cool area to live, though, eh?

[NATO]

I haven't accepted the offer yet, what's with the unnecessary sarcastic tone?