If you are moving to Beijing, one of the first to-dos on your list will be finding a place to live. China's capital city is one of the most densely populated cities in the country, and you will have lots of competition when looking for the perfect apartment to rent. However, if you've done your research, picked your neighborhood, and managed your budget, you'll find a new place to call home in no time.
Why move to Beijing?
Beijing can be a great place to live if you want to experience Chinese culture while having access to all the amenities of an international city. Beijing beautifully balances the old and the new. And you could be sipping a cup of coffee at Starbucks and be just a few steps away from a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Beijing is home to a thriving expat community, so you will have plenty of fellow expats to socialize with. There are also plentiful career and education opportunities in China's capital.
Good to know:
One potential downside of setting in Beijing is the occasionally high level of air pollution. The city's air is often classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups”. And while the government is working on improving the ecological situation in the city, it's best to consider other locations if you have a history of respiratory or cardiac problems.
Which are the best Beijing neighborhoods for expats?
Beijing is divided into several districts, namely Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chaoyang, Haidian, which are the most densely populated, and many others. Expatriates favor these districts for many reasons, including easy access to administrative services and other facilities.
If you've always wanted to know what it's like to live in an urban jungle, head to the city's Central Business District (CBD). Here, you will find plenty of modern high-rises, shopping malls, trendy bars and restaurants, and so on. Sanlitun is also a fashionable central neighborhood known for its vibrant nightlife.
For more of an authentic flair, explore the hip neighborhood of Gulou, standing on Houhai Lake and consisting primarily of renovated hutongs (traditional courtyard residences). A lot of hutongs in the area have preserved their original looks on the outside but have been redesigned inside. Some have been turned into loft-like apartments, studios, hotels, hostels, and more.
Wudaokou is an area dominated by students with a high concentration of universities. This is also one of the greener neighborhoods in Beijing, home to the Summer Palace and other parks.
Shunyi is as close to suburbia as you will get without leaving the city. It's a popular residential option among expats, thanks to its nice housing complexes, shopping areas, and international schools.
What types of accommodation are available in Beijing?
Different types of accommodation are available in Beijing. You can choose among studios, apartments, student residences, individual houses, etc. You can also opt for a guest house. Your choice will largely depend on your family situation and your financial means. You will also find big residential complexes in some areas and modern and equipped villas in others.
As we've mentioned above, living in a traditional renovated hutong can also be an interesting option. Most hutong apartments now come with all the modern conveniences and let you experience a part of Chinese culture without sacrificing daily comfort.
There are lots of new residential complexes in Beijing as well. These are primarily high-rise and gated communities equipped with gyms, playgrounds and other facilities. These may be a great fit if you are looking for convenience and practicality and are not quite ready to live in traditional housing.
If you have a large budget to spare on accommodation, you will also find luxury townhouses, villas, penthouses, and more.
There are several things you need to be ready for in a Chinese apartment. First, if you rent an apartment in an older building, your place will most likely have a squat toilet. This is something that may take some adjustment.
Chinese apartments generally have rather small rooms. The kitchen area is also quite miniature. Most kitchens in China won't have an oven or a dishwasher. Most apartments are equipped with gas — but in some cases, you may need to use an electric cooker. You won't find bathtubs in most apartments in Beijing — unless you are renting something very expensive. Most apartments come with balconies. However, balconies can be quite small, and most families in China use them for drying clothes and storage rather than as a place to enjoy the views from.
Rent prices in Beijing
How much you spend on rent in Beijing depends on a lot of factors — but primarily, it's your budget that will determine your options. Beijing is the tenth most expensive city in the world, and accommodation will probably be your biggest expense when living in the city.
As a general rule for most cities in China, the closer you are to the city center, the more expensive the rent is. A fully furnished apartment will naturally come at a higher price than an unfurnished one. How well equipped the place is (kitchen appliances, washing machine, western or Chinese toilet, etc.) will all play their part.
If you want to save money on rent, your best option would be to rent in Beijing's newer districts, quite far from the city center. Here, you will find cheaper accommodation and more options for renting a larger apartment on a budget. And as the transportation system in Beijing is very well-developed, you will be well-connected to other parts of the city while saving quite a bit of money on rent.
If you go further away from the city center, you should be able to rent a studio or a one-bedroom apartment starting from RMB 3,000 to 4,000. However, in most cases, these will be small apartments — sometimes as small as 20sqm. They may also be poorly furnished in less popular areas. In general, if you are looking for a well-furnished one-bedroom in Beijing with a Western bathroom sized 60sqm or above, you should budget around RMB 8,000.
In addition to what you pay in rent, you will also need to factor in additional fees such as:
- Maintenance fees: Many residential complexes in Beijing have maintenance fees. These fees cover security guards' salaries, ground maintenance, landscaping, trash pickup, etc. They are typically calculated based on the size of the apartment in square feet.
- Heating: In Beijing, the central heating will turn on automatically once the weather gets cold. Paying for heating isn't optional, and you won't be able to turn it off. In most cases, heating will be included in the price of your rent. However, if it's not, you will need to check with your landlord about how much you will need to pay.
- Utilities: With the majority of rental agreements, utilities are not included in your rent and need to be paid separately. How much you spend depends on how much water and electricity you use per month. Your utility bill in Beijing may range from RMB 200 ($30) to RMB 500 ($74) per month.
- Parking fee: If you have a vehicle and need a parking space, you will (most likely) need to pay for it separately. If you are renting in a residential complex, your apartment may come with a dedicated parking space.
How to pay utility bills in China?
Utilities in China generally work on a pre-paid basis. You will need to use a special rechargeable card to top off your balance at a utility meter, bank and other locations. You can check with your landlord about the nearest locations to pay your utilities. Make sure not to lose your utility cards, as these can be quite difficult to replace.
If you find this system confusing, you may also be able to arrange an agreement with your landlord: they will pay for utilities on your behalf, and your utility bill will be added to your monthly rent.
If you live in a gated residential community with a management office or concierge, you may also be able to pay your utilities there. This will make things much easier, especially if you are new to China and have trouble navigating the local system.
How to find accommodation in Beijing?
You can start your apartment hunt in Beijing online. Check out websites like TheBeijiner, ZuFang, and others. You can run a Google search for “Beijing zufang” or “rent in Beijing”. You can also use a local search engine, such as Baidu, to look for apartments to rent in Beijing.
Most apartment ads indicate how big the apartment is, where it is located, rent conditions (deposit amount) and whether the ad has been posted by a real estate agent or the owner. If you are interested in taking a look at the place, message the author of the post with your contact details.
In China, the most popular way to communicate online is by using the WeChat app. The app has over 900 million users and is the number one tool you will need for your everyday life in China.
WeChat is primarily a messenger app — but you can also use it for shopping online, paying for goods and services via the QR code, and more.
Once you get in touch with a real estate agent or your potential new landlord, they will probably ask you for your WeChat ID. This is why it's a good idea to download the app and learn how to use it before you start your apartment hunt in Beijing.
Another way to look for apartments in the city is by visiting different neighborhoods. Once you have found the location you like, you should easily find a real estate agency office nearby. The agency will probably specialize in the accommodation offers in the area, so you will have a better chance of renting an apartment in the area you prefer. If you're looking to rent in gated residential communities, you may also ask the “baoan” (security guard) for any available rentals. The baoan can put you in touch with landlords renting out apartments in the complex.
Important:
Renting accommodation directly from the landlord will help you avoid extra costs such as the agent's finders fee. However, if you're new to Beijing, don't speak Chinese, and are not yet familiar with how things work in the housing market, it will be in your best interest to rent an apartment through a real estate agent. This way, you will have someone experienced representing your interests. Plus, in case of a dispute with your landlord, you will be able to turn to your real estate agent to help resolve it.
Lease agreements in Beijing
There are several things you will need to pay attention to when signing the lease agreement in Beijing:
- Most rental agreements are written in Chinese. Some will have a shorter English version attached or a translation line under each line in Chinese. If your rental agreement is written entirely in Chinese, get a translator to provide you with an English copy. Never sign any contract in Chinese if you don't understand the meaning of every clause. Even if your contract comes with an English translation, it may be best to have a translator give it another look just to ensure that the original translation is accurate.
- If you are new to Beijing, it's best to have a Chinese friend or colleague present when you are signing the rental agreement. This way, you will be able to efficiently address any issues that may come up during the signing. Your Chinese friend will also have a better understanding of what to look out for when signing the lease.
- When you sign the rental agreement in China, there will be an inventory of all the items in the apartment attached to the contract. This includes furniture, appliances, decorations, etc. Make sure to give the apartment a proper walk-through and check if all the items listed are there. If you notice anything missing, let the landlord or the real estate agent know. This is the best way to avoid any future disputes with the landlord when you have to move out.
- Make sure to check the apartment for any damage or wear. If you notice any anomalies, it's a good idea to take a picture of them and show them to the landlord or real estate agent before signing the lease.
- Note that in most cases, you will be asked to pay a two-month deposit upfront when you rent an apartment. If you are renting a place via a real estate agent, you will also need to pay the agent's fee, which normally amounts to half of a month's rent. Make sure to keep your deposit receipts till the end of your lease. You will need them to get your deposit back at the end of your stay.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
