@tiger
@blobbles
I thought short term leases were 3 month leases and the regular asking price was 6 months rent up front with service fees.I have no problem paying upfront. I have read a lot of blogs and have seen that people are only paying $125 -$200 usd for basic* accommodation, Are they lying? I also saw that most foreigners dont want to live like locals, and go spend mass amounts of money just because things are cheaper there. I don't intend to do that. If I can find a place that is cheap for the first 6 months then I'll be fine.. If the ads on km58 are not fake (and I said fake because I was also advised that China is the land of fakes) then there are many options to choose from.
I don't want to stay with roommates for personal reasons, one of them being that their lives would impact me somehow ie: partying, girlfriends/boyfriends etc.. I don't have time for that kind of drama. I would only like to focus on my studies. Anything else would be a distraction. - One question though, how would my life be easier if I shared rooms?-
Exactly what things will I not be able to do? All I do is study.. I don't drink, party or just do foolish things. I don't understand why I would need anyone to take care of my problems? Completely lost me on that one..
So all in all, is $1800 usd enough to get a decent apartment for 6 moths? I mean, how much money did you have when you first moved to Kun Ming? How much do you pay now?
@tiger
@blobbles
I thought short term leases were 3 month leases and the regular asking price was 6 months rent up front with service fees.I have no problem paying upfront. I have read a lot of blogs and have seen that people are only paying $125 -$200 usd for basic* accommodation, Are they lying? I also saw that most foreigners dont want to live like locals, and go spend mass amounts of money just because things are cheaper there. I don't intend to do that. If I can find a place that is cheap for the first 6 months then I'll be fine.. If the ads on km58 are not fake (and I said fake because I was also advised that China is the land of fakes) then there are many options to choose from.
I don't want to stay with roommates for personal reasons, one of them being that their lives would impact me somehow ie: partying, girlfriends/boyfriends etc.. I don't have time for that kind of drama. I would only like to focus on my studies. Anything else would be a distraction. - One question though, how would my life be easier if I shared rooms?-
Exactly what things will I not be able to do? All I do is study.. I don't drink, party or just do foolish things. I don't understand why I would need anyone to take care of my problems? Completely lost me on that one..
So all in all, is $1800 usd enough to get a decent apartment for 6 moths? I mean, how much money did you have when you first moved to Kun Ming? How much do you pay now?
@blindheart if you do not mind walking a bit or taking buses you should be able to find an efficiency with basic accomodations for 200-250 usd a month. I live 10 minutes by bus from universities and 20 minutes from city center and pay less than 300 usd for a new 3 bedroom 2 bath on a one year lease. When are you coming i might know of an efficiency in a newer building in Beichen area of kunming.
I just saw that post was repeated.. silly computer.. I will be arriving around the 20th of this month.
Exactly what things will I not be able to do?
Do you want the water/power/internet/phone/bank accounts running? Can you explain all the things for this over the phone to people? Can you explain where you live and how to get there for water/taobao purchases? If someone bangs on the door asking for money, will you know its for building maintenance/rubbish recycling or some other spurious charge? Can you negotiate prices, know how to read signs and look for the places you want so you can eat/buy and cook food?
If your Chinese level is good enough that you can do all of this no problem and are very adaptable then you will probably be fine, but I assume because you are studying you are starting Chinese. This is why its helpful to tell us a bit more about your situation particularly if you already know Chinese and/or have lived here before. If you are confident to do all this though then go for it! Always exciting coming to a new place and getting in the thick of it!
There is much to do here and I for one love Yunnan very much - Look Here - www.hugoyunnantravel.com/Destinations.asp
@blindheart, i sent a message to you through the ad you placed earlier looking for a place to live. Would not worry about kunming i think it is the easiest Chinese city i have lived in. If you want to be alone that is not a problem, but if you want to meet western people that is also very easy. Climate is wonderful without extremes. Always mild, but a little cool for 2-3 months in winter.
I should have taken some of the advice lol .. right now I'm in Kunming and staying at a hotel near the train station. I'm trying to figure out where exactly to find rental agencies in the area or an area for expats.
I can't find a number to call for taxi and I dont want to walk around with my luggage.
All I'm looking for is a pretty decent area and a studio or one bed with furnishing and broadband. I'm not really interested int he western toilet at this point
So wait. You asked for advice. We gave it to you. You didn't take it. And now you have problems? Why even ask for advice if you aren't going to take it?
Answer us some questions:
Where did you come from? Were you living elsewhere in China before?
What is your Chinese level like? Can you give directions to a taxi driver? Or do we need to write stuff in Chinese, so someone can read it and then take you to the place we said?
We can still give you advice but we don't know anything about you. You need to give us more info before we can help!
Did you call Mae here: www.gokunming.com/[...]
??
This looks like a place that would be fine. Ask her to text you the address so you can show to a taxi driver if you don't speak Chinese.
