Job Discussion Forums

[DaveW125]

My wife and I are about to accept a position at an international school in Shunyi. I can't really find all that much info about the place on line, wiki pedia and the government website offer a little information but not much. Does anyone know about Shunyi or live there and could offer an opinion about the place. We're not really big drinkers but do enjoy going out for a meal a few times a week, cinema etc. Is there much open space for outdoor activities, running, basketball etc?

any info would be great

thanks

[theincredibleegg]

The area is a bit far off from Beijing, as you might already know. It's basically an imitation of an American middle-class neighbourhood.
There are plenty of western restaurants and shopping malls out there. You don't even need to look for western supplies.
There should be plenty of outdoor-activities for you guys out there. The place is built for well-off western families. So if you're into basketball, football, running, golf etc, then you've got plenty of options.

The downside of Shunyi is that it's isolated from the rest of Beijing. If you like nice hutong areas, then Shunyi is not the place to be. On the other hand, you'll find Shunyi to be a very convenient place to live in. There is a bus that frequently runs between Dongzhimen and Shunyi if you want to check out the city centre once in a while. I've heard about a planned subway line to Shunyi aswell, but that will probably take a while.

[mike w]

Also bear in mind that because Shunyi is a 'westernised' area, built to attract expats working for western companies etc., that you will be paying ex-pat prices in the stores (Jenny Lous's etc.) and the restaurants, and not Chinese prices.

I hope the school is providing accommodation for you (rents in some parts of Shunyi can be vastly inflated compared to other parts of Beijing) and that the salary package reflects the area you will be living in.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

I was offered a job in the same area but no accommodation was provided and the salary offered was 9000 RMB a month.

Same job?

[theincredibleegg]

An international school wouldn't pay 9000 yuan/month unless it's some kind of assistant-job...