Hi,

I would like to know more about Kunming City.

Where do expats normally live, in which areas?

What is the type of housing?

Do you know a professional and reliable English speaker realtor who can arrange some property visits for me?

Apart from KIA, is there any other international school? And what's about kindergarten, anything you would recommend?

Thank you so much for your responses !!! There will be very useful to me ! as it's quite hard to find info on internet pertaining to kunming expat areas.

there are many areas where expats cluster. i happen to prefer living near green lake, but even there, there are separate communities north lake, south lake, near nanping street, etc. in many of these areas, there will be 3 real estate agencies right next to each other, painted red green and blue, making shopping easy.

one basic decision u face is whether or not to live in a 'foreigners only' building. if u do, your life as an english speaker will be easier, you can avoid internet and tv censorship. etc... but u r also self-ghettoing.

a strong recommendation is to find out about 'english corners', and meet a local chinese that u like, who will be happy to go househunting with you, in exchange for getting to practice their english w u, a native speaker. you will need such a person anyway, to help you to understand and negotiate the chinese rental agreement you will be signing, etc.

", you can avoid internet and tv censorship."

Can you tell me more about this please, I'm intrigued?

The general rule of thumb is simply, don't become a social nuisance (stench). And foreigners "can" get non-censored satellite dishes - but they're basically illegal - but the authorities have better things to do than chase down illegal pirate satellite dishes (such as napping, drinking tea, etc) - again dependent on the general rule of thumb above.

As for internet censorship - I'm with Chingis - do you have "special" unfettered internet access (no blocked youtube, facebook)?

Another solution is to cozy up to an expat with a domestic, bilingual significant other. If you're trying to BUY property - rent for a year and take your time shopping - the real estate industry here can slide over 50% up and down - within a year - so take your time as this will be a long-term investment.

If you're looking to rent - I'd suggest up near the Beichen area - near the Metro - the ONLY source for ALL the foreign goods your heart desires - like butter - can't find (expletives) butter or even margarine anywhere. Metro is a membership only store - but expats can just show (I think, still) your passport and they'll give you a membership card free...I think...

I believe Metro tightened their regulations recently although if you have work here there is a very good chance your company has a metro card already and you can use their number to get in and pay (play the semi-retarded laowai if troubled, most of us have a natural ability to pull it off). I lived the past two years in an area north of Beichen and it was pretty good. New apartment blocks and much lower prices than in down town KM. The flip side is the insane congestion but with the metro system starting up next year it's going to be easier to live in the outlying areas. I've spent 3 years in Kunming and I've never heard of foreigners only buildings with unrestricted TV and internet. Can you elaborate?

I live in an apartment with no power and no water sometimes. When there is power, it is so minute that it barely has enough to light lightbulbs, and not enough for a hot shower (when there's water). Don't live where I live lol.

There is another International school not far from KIA off Guandu Lu opposite ancient town. Sijicheng is a popular place to live.

CelineW,
There is a wealth of information on this site if you check the past forums and topics. You will see many opinions of which the value to you depends your circumstances and budget. Suggest you log in on upper right corner of the home page and check your inbox from the dashboard for private messages. We have worked with Singapore relocation firms in the past. It is important to note that compared to the east coast of China there few western foreigners in Kunming and many of those who are here are students of Chinese and English teachers. A lot of children are home schooled. There are plenty of Carrefours, Walmarts and Parksons markets also for western foods. The Chinese vegetable and fruit markets are OK if you shop carefully.

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