Hey All!

My brother and I are traveling to Kunming for a year. He is worried because he has tattoos and face piercings. So, we wanted to get the scoop from the locals.

Also, we want to spend around 150-200 USD for an apartment. We're getting our own place, individually.

Thanks for the help! We look forward to your answers.

Hey back.
I am sure your brother will get a lot of attention, some good, some bad. I am not sure what authoritarian types will make of it. He will be simultaneosly super cool, a babe magnet, and a magnet for local dick-heads.

I think your brother may have some trouble getting/keeping a job, unless he can cover the ink and the piecings don't leave obvious holes when taken out.

Although Kunming is a large city, by Chinese standards it is smallsville and will share a lot of small town mentalities. The Chinese older generation are ultra-conservative, but this generation of youth is rebelling. There is hope in there somewhere.

As for accomodation. You will be lucky to get anything half decent for 150 USD/month. You will find rooms at that sort of money, but apartments? You may also be better off sharing an apartment with other expats, as I think many landlords would not rent out to your brother.

I agree. Tattoos where you can hide them is best (at least in China for now). It's just the way it is here. Remember you're not in your home country where all that stuff is mostly tolerated. If he plans to get a job teaching English, he can't look scary to the students especially if they are kids. A lot of the jobs that are posted require you to send your photo. I guess it's to see how you look like. Some discriminate against blacks or not looking 'white' enough. $200 at this moment is 1254.84 RMB. Prices in Kunming have gone up quite rapidly sorry to say. You might be able to get a small apartment for that kind of money if you're lucky but it might not be in a convenient place. Also remember that you have to pay at least 6 to 1 year in advance and that doesn't include the real estate fee and often the maintenance fee. Good Luck!