I'm thinking about spending the summer in Kunming. I run a small business with an office in Shenzhen and absolutely hate the SZ heat in the summer. But I usually have to stay in China or close by. Kunming seems like a good option, apart from the rain.

From the looks of it here, KM seems like the majority of the expats are teaching. Is anyone here working remotely or running a startup?

If I were to move here, where would be a good area to live? During the day I am mainly working, I'm not too picky about anything, I get KM isn't going to be developed as Shenzhen. I think I am just looking for a nice area to work, relax and meet people.

I'd probably end up renting a single or two bedroom apartment so I could get work done.

Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated.

I know several western foreigners here who earn from remote online work (translation, editing, programming). Growing number of westerner-run bars, cafes, restaurants; some involved with int'l corps; guy who's into building things (mini-golf, other); photographers, writers, gokunming journalists; a few westerner artists, graphic designers; foreigner language students, some doing postgrad fieldwork (anthropologists, linguists, others; people with NGOs of various sorts; a few MDs).

If you're running from the heat and don't need to earn your living in Kunming, then it's great. Live around Green Lake or close to Wenlin jie.

jun to aug usually rains a lot, rainy season. off season uniss are closed so you nee dot be in wenlin jie/green lake area.

Does ran quite a bit for Kunming, but nothing like Guangdong & Hong Kong, and the temperature stays decent, and there are also blue skies. Don't understand need to be in Wenlingjie/Green Lake area because unis are closed.

coz where else is there to hang out? university town? dianchi? wang fu jin starbucks?

seriosly, if you can get further away from SZ. head to qingdao or dalian or weihai at that time of year. not usre but think dalian has a reasonable expat scene.

Consider these things when moving to KM:
1. TRANSPORTATION - bus, bike, e-bike, car, motorcycle (banned within the second ring road during rush hours).
2. WORK. If you need access to business facilities - offices, printers, STAFF.
3. SOCIAL. Consider what kinds of groups you are interested in mingling with - nightclub crowd, evangelical christian et al groups, transient travelers, english teachers, university campus areas, business areas, etc. Also - where do all the pretty young, single, available girls live and shop (or men, if you're into that scene)?
4. QUALITY OF LIFE - aka where the rich live - it's Dianchi.

Preferences to the above three (or four) questions will help determine the optimal location for your FIRST apartment in Kunming. You'll probably move a few times (example seeking a newer apartment complex with parking, faster internet, AND AN ELEVATOR as opposed to hiking up seven flights of stairs with groceries, etc).

Plenty of people in Kunming manage to get to their apartments, even those as high as the 7th floor - few older apartment buildings have more than that - without an elevator. Healthy and doesn't waste power. Doubt if you'll want to move more than once (out of a hotel and into an apartment) in a single summer.
Dazzer: All of the places you've mentioned, plus Beichen and others. Also obviously depends on who you want to meet. Personally, I like the Green Lake area, partly because it's near many universities, but I like it even when they're closed, in spite of the fact that it's not exactly the whole town.

Since you will work days at home, you don't need to commute to work.

I would recommend to rent in vicinity of decent shopping centers and restaurants.

Along the north-south subway line, Beichen was mentioned (it's close to Metro for grocerices), and two stops south at Baiyun Lu there are also new shopping centers within walking distance and good bus connections to other parts of city.

If you cook yourself, a good wet market in the vicinity would be nice to have. I know two such in Baiyun Lu/Beijing Lu area.