Located in China's Jiangsu province, Suzhou is home to over six million people. The city is often called the Venice of the East because of the many canals piercing the city. Despite the fact that it's not a first-tier city, Suzhou is quite popular with expats thanks to its proximity to Shanghai (under 30 minutes on a high-speed train).
If you are planning to visit Suzhou or settle in the city, finding a suitable place to live should be relatively easy. There are plenty of modern accommodation options, both in the city's central areas and on the outskirts.
Which are the best neighborhoods for expats in Suzhou?
Suzhou's division is rather peculiar. The city consists of five main districts (Canglang, Jinchang, Pingjiang, Wuzhong, and Xiangcheng); five cities (Changshu, Kunshan, Taicang, Wujiang, and Zhangjiagang City); and two special industrial zones (Suzhou Industrial Park and Suzhou High & New Technology Development Zone).
The city's districts are primarily older urban zones where most of the city life is concentrated. Suzhou's cities are considered suburbs and are located further from central areas. The industrial zones, on the other hand, are regarded as new investment areas and are home to many enterprises, factories and office buildings.
Downtown Suzhou comprises Canglang, Pingjiang and part of the Jinchang district, and is pierced by nine east-west canals and 12 north-south canals. Here, you will find a high concentration of landmarks, offices as well as residential buildings. Most expats living Suzhou would settle in the central areas, but exploring suburban locations can help find quieter areas and cheaper accommodation options.
What types of accommodation are available in Suzhou?
Even though the city is lined with canals, the types of accommodation on offer in Suzhou do not differ from those of any major city. You will be able to choose between studios, apartments, student residences, townhouses, etc. Most apartments available for rent are fully-furnished and come with all the necessary facilities. With that, you will probably find more Chinese-style apartments in Suzhou compared to first-tier cities: this means wooden furniture, smaller rooms and kitchens and squat toilets. The latter will take the most adjustment to get used to — but renting a Chinese-style apartment is generally substantially cheaper than renting a western style one.
Most apartments are equipped with gas — but in some cases, you may need to use an electric cooker. Most apartments in Suzhou won't have bathtubs — 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.
Some expats in Suzhou prefer to live in closed gated communities. In China, these are often referred to as “gardens”. These types of complexes often have lots of facilities within their walls: gyms, coffee shops, kindergartens, and more.
Your choice of accommodation will most likely depend on your budget and the length of your stay in the city. If you are staying in Suzhou for a short time, you can opt for a hotel or an "aparthotel", or even a vacation home. If you plan to stay longer, you can rent a studio or a larger apartment — according to your financial means and your family situation. Sharing an apartment is also popular among expats, especially students, young professionals and those who are new to the city. The best way to find roommates is to follow local expat forums such as Suzhou Expats. You can also ask your acquaintances and coworkers if they are interested in renting an apartment together.
Rent prices in Suzhou
Rent prices in Suzhou are not particularly low. The city's close location to Shanghai enables many of its residents to live in Suzhou and work in the nearby metropolis with the highest cost of living in Asia. Living in Suzhou is definitely significantly less expensive than in China's first-tier cities, but the number of commuting workers has made the rent go up in recent years.
Thus, the rent price of a one-bedroom accommodation in a non-central area would start at around RMB 3,000 yuan, and settling in central areas would be even pricier — starting at over 5,000 yuan. A larger apartment in the city center can cost upwards of RMB 7,000.
If you are renting on a budget, consider looking for a place that is further away from the city center or sharing an apartment. Studios in new developing districts tend to be quite cheap — and while there may be some commute involved, Suzhou is a well-connected city, and you should be able to get around without a problem. Sharing a place with co-workers, classmates and friends is also a way to save money on rent. You can find roommates on expat forums and local apartment hunting websites.
How to search for accommodation in Suzhou?
The best way to find an apartment in Suzhou is by searching for it online. Scanning local rental websites will also give you a good idea of what's on offer, the pricing and the neighborhoods, and will allow you to make a more informed decision. Check out websites like Anjuke, 58.com, Suzhou classifieds, etc.
You can also check expat groups in the city, like Suzhou Expats. This is also a good place to get house-hunting advice from fellow expats.
Most apartment ads will tell you 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 post's author with your contact details. In China, the most popular way to communicate online is through 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 Suzhou.
Another way to search for an apartment in Suzhou is by visiting different districts and neighborhoods. Once you've found the location you like, you should easily find a real estate agency office nearby. The agency in the area will most likely specialize in accommodation offers nearby. —so you will have a better chance of renting an apartment in your preferred neighborhood. 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 Suzhou, 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.
How to pay utility bills in Suzhou?
Utilities in China generally work on a pre-paid basis. To pay utilities, you will need to use a special card that you can top up at a utility meter, bank and other locations across the city. 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 are new to Suzhou, you may find it easier to have an arrangement with your landlord where they will pay for utilities on your behalf, and your utility bill will be added to your monthly rent. This can make your life in Suzhou much easier, especially at the beginning of your stay.
If you live in a gated residential community with a management office or concierge, you may also be able to pay your utilities there. These types of residential complexes are popular with foreigners — so you may also have fellow expats in the neighborhood to ask for guidance. Once again, this is a good option if you are new to the country and prefer to have a more “familiar” environment around you as you discover China.
Lease agreements in Suzhou
There are several things you will need to pay attention to when signing the lease agreement in Suzhou:
- Most rental agreements in Suzhou 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 Suzhou, it's best to have a Chinese friend or colleague present when you sign the lease. 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 items, household appliances, apartment decoration, and more. It's important that you give the apartment a proper walk-through and check if all the items on the list are there. If you notice that anything is 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.
- 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 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.
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