Job Discussion Forums

[CJD]

Hey guys. I'm leaving for China in a few days after finally getting my Z-visa. I'm wondering about how I should bring some money to China and how much to bring.

Would it be a good idea to bring enough cash to pay 6 months rent up front and a bit more on top of that, my visa credit card, debit card, and travellers cheques?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[happigur1]

I wouldn't really recommend bringing traveler's checks. Only certain banks will cash them. Why would you bring 6 months of rent with you? Does the school not provide housing for you?

What city would you be located in? Bigger cities like Shanghai and Beijing and Guangzhou, expect to spend more money. Are you planning to lay low or go out for a Starbucks every morning?
Most ATMs also take visa cards (some with a fee, depending on your bank) so I wouldn't carry that much cash on you. When I first went to China, I carried about 300 USD. I ended up taking out about another 200 USD. That was in Nanjing and I was going out on weekends, etc.

[CJD]

The school is giving me a certain amount of money each month for rent, but I've read that a lot of landlords want the tenant to pay for several months up front. I will be living in my own apartment off-campus.

How much would I get charged to use my debit card? My bank in Canada would charge me $4 each time, which isn't a problem, but how much more can I expect to be charged in addition to that?

[Dancing Monkey]

I disagree about not bringing traveler's checks. I would bring those instead of cash. As far as I know, Bank of China will cash them and I'm willing to bet almost every town has a B of C. You might be told to go to a certain branch though.

I don't know from personal experience, but, you might have a problem changing your home currency into rmb. I would bring some of it to show people. It seems to me that people get a kick out of seeing foreign money. If you can afford it, you might consider bringing a bunch of coins or 1 "dollar or whatever" bills to give to people.

I would definitely bring a credit card. Before leaving for China you should notify the issuer that you will be in China and that charges here may happen. In the past, some people have had their cards "closed" for awhile because the bank feared fraud. If possible, I would leave some cash with a friend or family member and have your visa bill sent to them so that they can pay the bill if you charge anything. Simply tell them via email that you charged x amount and let them pay the bill from your funds.

Personally, when I first came to China I brought $3,000 USD in travelers checks. If you need to rent a place, you might consider bringing more, perhaps 5k.

I'm not sure about only bringing $300 USD and then withdrawing another $200. $500 USD = less than 3,500 rmb. I can spend that in 1 week if I'm setting up an apartment etc...

Depending on where you will live, rent can be anywhere from 1k to 3k rmb, give or take. Most landlords require at least 3 months upon moving-in - 1 month rent and 2 months deposit. Some charge more. If you use an agent, expect to pay them 1/3 of the monthly rent.

Assuming rent of 2k, you will need at least 7k rmb = around $1,000 USD, just to move-in. You will then need to buy pots and pans etc... Even if you live on campus, you will probably need to buy things for the apartment and can easily spend 1k rmb, most likely more.

Remember also, if you are working in a school, you might not be paid until mid-October, so, you will need at least 4k rmb to spend on food etc..

Basically, assuming you live on campus - I would have at least 1k USD in traveler's checks. If your own apartment - at least 2k USD.

Finally, remember that China is basically a cash society and most places do not accept credit cards. Personally, I'd rather change the traveler's checks than pay withdrawal fees.

Good Luck!

[happigur1]

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

[happigur1]

http://chineseinvancouver.blogspot.com/2006/11/canadian-banks-in-china.html

They list some Canadian banks that have affiliation with Chinese banks. If one of those are your banks (in Canada), why not give them a call and see what services they offer. Of course, they might just have branches and do not offer any other services but it doesn't hurt to try. (I just skimmed the article so please don't yell at me if it doesn't provide too much info.!)

If you heard of Scotiabank, Barclays or BNP Paribas (France), these are affiliated with my bank in America and CCB in China and I know for a fact you can withdraw without a fee. http://locators.bankofamerica.com/locator/locator/LocatorAction.do?type=adv

[Dancing Monkey]

I've easily changed my traveler's checks into rmb at the Bank of China in SZ, Nanjing and Shanghai. All I had to do was wait in line and show my passport. Granted, I had to go to a certain branch.

When people type bring "cash", I'm assuming actual currency, not an ATM.

In most large cities, Shanghai for example, outside one of the designated B of C branches that change traveler's checks and cash, you'll probably find someone looking to buy dollars. It certainly is that way at the B of C near the railway station. But, I wonder what the situation is in a smaller city like Nanjing?

As for a "fully furnished" apartment, what exactly does that mean? Every place that I've either rented or was provided with had the bare essentials - sheets, a blanket, 2 pillows, TV, water thing and a microwave.

I had to buy plates, forks etc... Of course, you can always get by and buy other items as you go, such as a fan, heater, toaster oven, coffee maker, rice cooker, DVD player, broom, mop etc...

[happigur1]

[Dancing Monkey]

That's the point. If you bring traveler's checks, you can be almost sure that the rmb given to you in the bank will be real!

[happigur1]

oh.. that was sarcasm ....

in any case, my apartment was furnished with everything I would need: plates, bowls, rice cookers, three blankets, two sets of bedding, DVD player, computer (no printer), two desks, water dispenser for hot and cold water (the guard downstairs had big bottles of water for 8 RMB), chop sticks, cups, hangers, etc. No coffee maker but I would imagine that's hard to find if not expensive... If anything was missing, the school would provide it for me. Second semester, they actually went through apartments and bought missing stuff.

When I moved out and into my own apartment, it had the essentials but yes, I did have to go out and buy my own things. But like I said, when I quoted how much I originally brought, it was due to my fully furnished apartment. I did not know the situation of the OP. Now that I DO KNOW his situation, I do agree that bringing 2-3K USD, if not more, would be essential to pay for the apartment and down payment and then to set up the apartment.

But I'm done with this thread. I use my ATM card to withdraw RMB at CCB with no charge and that's working for me way. As with Ever-Changing Cleric: To each his own

[Dancing Monkey]

Your initial situation was much different than what most people encounter. Why you would move out intrigues me.

As for the coffee maker, they can be found at Carrefour or a similar store. They are more expensive than you would pay in the US though. If I recall correctly, I paid around 200 rmb at Carrefour in Nanjing for a little 4 cup machine that would cost less than $10 USD in the US.

After my cat stepped on the power button to my hot-plate in Shanghai, the pot that was drying in the pot on the plate exploded. I then bought another one on sale at Lotus for only 100 rmb or so.

I realize certain items will add to the weight of a newcomers luggage, but, if possible, I recommend bringing along a small coffee maker and iron.

[happigur1]

[mondrian]

when you come to China make sure you have some SMALL (5, 10, 20 RMB) bills with you as well as about 1000 RMB in 100s. You need these during your first days for small transactions when you find a 100 RMB note is not suitable (eg a taxi fare costing 20-30; or a bus fare costing 1-2 RMB). A favorite scam of the taxi driver is to smile at you and "lose" all his English when you give him a 100 RMB for a 15 RMB fare!

[happigur1]