Hi:

I was just wondering if anyone had any perspective on moving with two small children from the US to Kunming to live for at least a year. Although I have spent time in China, I have never been to Kunming, and don't know much about the city or the expat community.

Our kids will be 1.5 and 2.5 respectively, and I would love to hear from anyone that has kids around the same age.

Thanks!

responsible ayi's (nannies) in KM are extremely difficult to find. Good ayi's are as expensive as in major cities such as beijing or shanghai. Agencies are usually just body shops - in beijing an ayi has to survive at least one week before you have to pay them. If you return an ayi before the week is up - they work (or lack of work) for free. You should expect to pay about ¥900 for a poorly trained ayi and about ¥1500 or more for reasonably responsible ayi's. If one of the spouses is home all the time - the lower cost ayi is a good way to go and you can supervise her.

Make sure you have a list of things you want done EVERY DAY so the ayi knows her duties. If you use an agency and they supply you with poor performing ayis, demand a refund and look for another agency.

Word of mouth is usually the best reference but it's hit & miss.

ALSO - check the ayi's work history - if she hasn't lasted more than 1 year (for the allegedly experienced ayis) - run away from both the agency and the ayi.

Finally - protect your valuables - ALWAYS. I suggest purchase of a small safe or lockbox to store precious metals, jewelry etc - just to avoid misunderstandings. Ayi's will frequently store things any ol place - so they haven't actually stolen anything - just filed it in an incredibly difficult place for you to find.

ALWAYS check the receipts AND the location of the dry cleaner the ayi uses - better to instruct her to use a specific dry cleaner - so if you replace her - you haven't lost your dry cleaning.

Finally - best to grocery shop yourself as ayi's will buy instant ore pre-cooked foods which can double to triple your grocery bills...or more.

EXPATS typically live in the NW to W of kunming - typically around the Yunnan National University area. Others live in the NE areas (check the locations of the various restaurants and expat cafe houses - that's a sign of expat patronage.

There are expat bilingual schools down south near the airport area but you should check the place for sanitation - look at the kitchen and the kitchen staff, bathrooms, etc. Rent is cheap near the airport area - but getting there is a hassle if you live across town.

Kunming traffic during rush hour rivals most large cities (6+million people) - however the inner city is only about 4km in diameter.

Learn to take taxis across town so you know the general fee - and taxi drivers here treat their taxis as personal vehicles. If it's inconvenient - they'll refuse the fare (illegal in larger cities such as beijing).

Kunming is still a developing region - so be exceptionally careful with your wallets - pickpockets will especially target you as you will be distracted with 2 toddlers in tow.

My children are in primary school now - but schools here are incredibly overcrowded - typically 70+ students per class.

If you have an employer here - make sure they will help you with transportation (buses during rush hour are notorious for pickpockets and thieves and stuffed to seeming over-capacity).

The police are your friends - never be afraid to contact them in the event of a theft or fraud - and listen to their recommendations. Also - find a good foreign (english speaking) hospital or clinic as your toddlers will require vaccinations - the expat places are of course more expensive and english is typically barely communicable - but most physicians can somewhat read/write english so you can try to communicate that way.

also (not a plug) get an iphone or similar device which has a built-in english-chinese/chinese english dictionary with PINYIN pronounciations - including tones. it costs the same as a good e-dictionary - but includes mobile abilities (make sure you can use it here - gsm is best but expensive, cdma is ok...but cheaper. Finally get the numbers to expat hotels - in an emergency you can ask the concierge for bilingual assistance.

Aside from the warnings - kunming is a beautiful and wonderful place to live - you can experience all four seasons on a single day. Remember the altitude here is 2km - so you'll get more UV exposure and the air is thinner - and when it rains - it's cold.

Good luck - most expats are helpful - many eccentric - but that makes everyone incredibly interesting!

jack s mother panpan in her 40s /she is my elder sister too /it is farrha /i have lived in diamondbar for couple of month in CA.

she can help you to take care of kids

ted321@hotmail.com

The kids will have gotten most of their vaccines--that is why we are waiting until they are past the year mark--but my Chinese medical vocabulary is non-existent, so those were all good ideas.

Thank you so much for the extensive advice. It is hugely helpful!

maybe i can help you ~ email:1015289355@qq.com