Family place to live in Beijing

Posted by lovemy2children2000 (989 days ago)

Hi

Looking for a suitable family home (to rent). What area would you suggest?
Thanks very much.

Find what you are after in our Beijing A-Z Directory

Posted by brendax (989 days ago)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I would like to recommend shunyi villa area in Beijing for the family with children.

Should you have any further enquiries, please contact me at bxie@santafe.com.cn

Best Regards
Brenda

Posted by Kristin49998 (988 days ago)

Depends upon WHAT you want.

Shunyi= lots of expats, places that look like "American houses,"" rent tailored for expat packages; 3bd's go for US$5000.00 a month.

HuiLongGuan/LongZe= mostly Chinese, Large 4bd in a new building 25 storey building for US$400.00 a month. [That is NOT a misplaced decimal.]

PM me and I will give you more details about expat life in Beijing.

KB

Posted by wattcom (987 days ago)

I love in the Shunyi area and pay $3500 a month for a lovely 3 bedroom. here are several Expat communities in shunyi and wiht the ages of your kids, I would strongly recommend it. It also depends on where you are from and what type of international school you are looking for as KB said. There are many families in Shunyi. You can also email me at wattcom@aol.com if you have any specific questions or need any tips. When are you moving to Beijing and from where?
Tammy

Posted by lovemy2children2000 (987 days ago)

Hi KB and Tammy
We are from Toronto, Canada. Will most likely be there March 06. We are coming early Jan for one week to visit.
I did not realize there is such a big difference in rent $$$.

Posted by lovemy2children2000 (987 days ago)

Tammy, I emailed you at your email addy.

KB< I could not figure out how to send you private email.

Posted by lovemy2children2000 (985 days ago)

How are the "mostly Chinese" areas with the low rents? Security, facilities, locations? Are there expat population there as well? Are the expat "accepted" by the local populations? Do the children mix and play together?

Posted by rosa (985 days ago)

no

Posted by Kristin49998 (985 days ago)

How are the "mostly Chinese" areas with the low rents? Fine, although the overall visual cleanliness is like almost all of China [i.e. nothing looks clean]

Security=keypad entry for most residential bldgs., but about anyone can stand outside and go through when the door is opened

facilities=varies, what is your definintion?

locations=prime to out of the way; certainly more available than the Western enclaves that are abundant in Shunnyi

Are there expat population there as well? Yes, but a low percentage

Are the expat "accepted" by the local populations?Yes, although noticed [and, as an addend--STARING is NOT wrong or bad in China, but a healthy way to express interest]

Do the children mix and play together?Yes, although your family will have to go to the park[s] and get over the shy hurdles or you won't meet the locals; mothers LOVE for their children to be exposed to anyone who looks as if he/she can speak English. Do not be offended if a mother in a park offers to take your child home for the next few days--they ARE sincere!!

Rosa--where do you live? What ages are your children?

Posted by Celia53531 (969 days ago)

how many family members are you going to bring? Do you want homestay in Chinese family?

Posted by Tsar (969 days ago)

Thank you for the tips! We are just about to move. Our pre-visit is next week and we a going to do a serious home-hunting. :)

Posted by profiterolle (946 days ago)

Did you successfully find a place?

Posted by lovemy2children2000 (945 days ago)

Yes, but we have decided against signing the lease because we found out that our housing allowance now is almost 2X the amount originally thought!! Never fail to dig into details of your agreement!!

Posted by profiterolle (945 days ago)

That must have been a pleasant surprise!