Hello!

I'll be moving to Kunming in July and was wondering what areas of town would be good for finding a decent-sized apartment (1-2 bedroom with kitchen and bathroom)

I'd like to spend around ¥1,000 or less. I don't care about being close to foreign-friendly shopping or neighborhoods. A more "Chinese" apartment is fine for me - no multi-story highrises or newly built apartments please!

Thanks for any help you may give!

good luck. likely you'd need to almost double that budget unless you want to live far outside the city. about 1500-2000 appears to be the going rate for a 1 bed place in the city these days but you can pay more if you want the 'luxury' of a western toilet for example. also, almost all apartments are in blocks which range from 6 floors (mostly older style) to the newer 20+ floor places.

Move to Chenggong university town! Lots four bedroom apartments for 1300, smaller are cheaper.

Wanderlust: 1000 rmb or less for 2 bedrooms will be a bit difficult to find - figure 1200rmb or maybe more, depending on what you want. 1000rmb for a single bedroom with ordinary (not sitdown) toilet is possible in the main area of town. I don't know about Chenggong.

You can split a room in a good apt with a group of people for quite a bit cheaper, plus it usually comes with furniture and other amenities already there so you don't have to buy it all yourself.

Thanks for the help! Older apartments are fine...I currently live in a high rise on the 19th floor and it's not really my thing. I'd like to live alone for now, so I'll think about raising my rent budget...but I'm SURE there are cheap places out there to be had - I just need to get into town to look!

Try 58.com If your Chinese is not great, get a friend to help you. I found some studio's on there for as little as 750p/m. Minimum furniture, s/c bathroom.

I second 58.com. It is great. Also, if you are willing to pay several months in advance, some landlords will lower the monthly rate a little.

Thanks! I'll try the site and see what's up!

you might also want to try ganji.com (km.ganji.com) but be aware that agencies use both sites, officially and unofficially. also, there are some obvious scams like the advertised place being let but the agent having 'some other great places'. there was even a story about a local pervert who tried to get girls/women to view alone so that he could...

anyway, GOOD LUCK and let us know how you get on.