Do try the city again. We do have looooong dry spells! ;-)

Kunming is not more depressing than any other chinese city, it's just depressing because all chinese cities are depressing, because communist/brutalist architecture and urban planning is depressing by default, especially combined with general third-world-style urban decay (though the sheer soullessness of Chenggong or the New Town whatever it's called in Guangzhou is even more depressing by far; I'd even say I find the crowded, chaotic concrete mazes that is chinese back alleys rather cozy now that I've learnt to love them). Sure, there are -less- depressing cities, but that's mostly because they're in stunning locations and/or have colourful ethnic makeup, and then it's a question of the definition of 'city', like, does Dali, Kashgar and Kangding qualify?

Coming back from a month of travel in stunningly beautiful landscapes in southern Yunnan, I did feel Kunming was depressing, but then I just went to watch the tibetan dance in Cuihu and the bisarre back alleys around Laowo bar and it all vanished in a heartbeat.

Inthelivinfor, if you do end up feeling depressed once you come to Kunming, give me a message and I'll find something beautiful to show you. There's plenty, you just need to look for it.

KM is depressing? really?! oh man, im moving there in a couple of weeks...

can anyone give a better review of the place?!

@Nailer
If you are coming to Kunming to escape a depressing city in China, then I think what is hinted at above is that China can be depressing.

China is as frustrating as any other tier 2 city. It has few of the advantages of a tier 1 city.

But the pace of life is more relaxed, hence frustration sometimes.

If you want wild Yunnan, forget Kunming. It is a staging post. Kunming can be a lifestyle destination for some people. But if you live in the wrong part of the city, you won't get the lifestyle.

There is an arts centre that is busy. There are cinemas, nightlife, bars restaurants, universities. Outside the city are mountains and a lake, but you need to be able to access them easily from where you live.

Me, I like solitude and have found a nice place that suits me.
Other people like bars and cafes, most have found somewhere that suits them. If you want a cosmopolitan, vibrant, big city feel, you won't enjoy Kunming.

Perhaps if you can describe what you expect, people can recommend an area of the city that would be good for you to live in.

@natsymir If there is sunlight i think i will not be depressed. I come from a 280 people town. LOL

And the closest town is only 10,000 people town, but the lack of sun is deffinately more depressing than the lack of people.

About the Communist structures of the houses, i don't care too much about it.

I believe is gonna be a good change for me :)

i want to visit FLORIDA usa can sugest me the traveling safety.

There is no way i will feel depressed in such a nice Weather

I love kunming so far :)

Yes, the weather is really nice during the day now. It's a relief that the sun and warmth came back

@tigertiger

Thanks for the reply. I've been in Xuzhou Jiangsu for the last year and just decided to leave because i want a nicer climate and cleaner air. and see another part of china.

Im sure Kunming has its pollution but some days i cant see out my window with the smog. and ive been sick a lot.

So if i can go outside everyday and there are couple of cafes and bars make a trip to Dali etc, then thats all i need.

I'll be living on jian she road.

An arts centre? nothing like that in Xuzhou! is it contemporary stuff?

Well you are not too far from WenLin Jie for bars and cafes. City centre is about a 45-60 minute walk, from where you will be.
As for that arts centre, I am guessing it is contemporary mostly, as there seems to be frequent events (some musical).