I'm going to go on foot today and try to locate some places that will work with my minimum Chinese..Maybe if I bring my lap top and translate what I want things will be simpler? because I'm not finding any one to meet up with from here in the classifieds so far.. do you know of any real estate place to recommend?

Several people have offered you advice on your forum and suggested places to get help. I sent you an email yesterday offering to take you looking for places with my wife who is chinese. Might be time to start taking advice that you have been seeking.

I haven't checked my email. If the offer is still up we can meet some where when you're free.

I think blindheart has come here thinking there will be some English spoken and also under the impression that he is coming to a society that works like it does in the west - with an individual being able to do anything they want by themselves.

So this is a heads-up to other people looking to come here - China is very much a word of mouth and non-individualist based society. You NEED to have other people to help you do virtually anything here unless you are fairly fluent in Chinese (though if you were you probably lived in China before or at least understand the culture enough to realise this through your learning of Chinese). Be warned!

lol very true... I figured the only thing I needed help with was finding an apartment. That would really be my only obstacle. food.. money.. I'm fine on that aspect.. I can always try and find a tutor once settled. The information that was provided was good. I just need to find a place and a person who can speak better Chinese than I.. The main advice given was *raise the cost of rent and place ads* also to find roommates. Although the latter is not an option, and raising how much I'm willing to spend doesn't really help find me a place.. You know? Oh, and I did place ads and respond to a few with no avail..

If you take the time out of your day to help with this..I'll pay you and we can discuss a price..

Hi there, sorry I'm late to the post. I am moving to Kunming in September (from Beijing) and I just have a quick question about location. The school I will be working for is located near Guangfu Lu. I have looked on the map but it's obviously better to ask someone who knows the town. Is it very awkward to travel from here into the town? Would it be better to search for an apartment closer to the town and commute?

Any informatio would be GREATLY appreciated. Where I am in Beijing is not so central and can be a pain sometimes.

Thanks!

Guangfu Lu is in the south of the city, nearby where I live. There aren't many western services down this end, if that's what you are after, but it's a bit less busy. Although there is a lot of construction around the south these days it's still generally pleasant. A lot of foreigners live in the area around the Wicker Basket south (www.gokunming.com/en/listings/item/32966/wicker_basket) which is just off Guangfu Lu so maybe close to your school. Guangfu Lu is LONG and a busy road so knowing which end your school students at will be better for helping you.

It's not hard to get into town from the South by bus from Guangfu Lu, about 30mins. Biking takes a bit longer, but not much but is pretty dusty.

Personally I would live nearby your work and go into town when I need to, although commuting in the opposite direction of rush hour can be good, commuting as little as possible is better!

Great, thanks for all that! I think it will be close to Guandu (old town?) but again I'm not entirely sure. I don't care about there being many western services, just as long as getting to the centre, if wanted, is convenient, especially for going out at the weekends or whatever. But to be honest it sounds fine; 30 minutes of a trip is not that big a deal! Thanks again, helps a lot!

It *may* get even more convenient in the near future with the introduction of the 1st real subway line going through the city. We don't really know when the line will start though, it keeps being delayed, but there will be a stop just south of Guangfu Old town on Xingyao Lu on line 1, apparently. From there you will be able to take the subway all the way to the Kunming Train Station or even to Beichen in the North if desired (if Subway line 2 opens at the same time which I think they are aiming for). Who knows when it will open though, I believe it is already 2 years overdue! The last time I heard it was supposed to be open was January of this year... they were definitely testing the line as there was a death on it when a driver was killed after the train derailed.

Finding accommodation down that way will be hard though if your Chinese isn't flash, not impossible but definitely hard. See previous advice for details!