Forums > Living in Kunming > Moving to Kunming- advice appreciated

Thanks to everyone for taking time in responding- it's much appreciated.
It sounds like 2500kuai for a months' rent is realistic, plus up to 400 for utilities.
I read on this blogpost ( www.saporedicina.com/english/rent-in-shanghai/ - I know it's Shanghai, but I'm sure there are similarities) that agents cannot take more than 35% of one months' rent in commission fees. I can appreciate that, whilst this may be the law, it may not be the common practise. Hence my concern about excessive agent fees and potential for being fleeced.

I would like to hear about peoples' experiences renting through an agent- was the process smooth?

I will be coming to China on a tourist visa with savings enough to live for several months whilst looking for part time work. Then I will get the work visa, which I think my employer would assist with? I just have to get all my qualifications certified at a Chinese embassy before I leave Australia...
It sounds like doing casual tutoring work on a tourist visa is 100% guaranteed to get you busted and deported...

Forums > Living in Kunming > Moving to Kunming- advice appreciated

Could you please tell me the title of the thread which answers my questions? I have searched and found results from three years ago, plus a few other threads that didn't really answer my questions. I'm assuming that prices have increased since then and it's no longer possible to live on ¥2-3K per month.

If estate agents require such a massive deposit, there must be a serious shortage of apartments! I would imagine rents must have increased...

Forums > Living in Kunming > Moving to Kunming- advice appreciated

Greetings all!
I am planning to move to Kunming very shortly and would appreciate any advice from people residing in this great city. I plan to live in Kunming for approx 2 years.

I am planning on renting an apartment close to downtown, so I would really value some insight into the following:
-apartment costs (one bedroom, close to downtown, prefer high floor) and what furniture is included with the dwelling;

-ease/difficulty in dealing with estate agents;

-cost of utilities, including internet connections (and how difficult it is to set these things up);

-how much time I should allow myself to find an apartment.

-opening a bank account in China (or should I do it before I leave Australia)
-cell phone plan costs;
-ease/difficulty of finding part time work (probably teaching English, lets face it).

-Finally- whether I

need to hire a Chinese translator to assist me with any or all of the above mentioned (and what the going rate would be).

Sorry for all the questions! I really would appreciate as much or as little advice as possible!

Also, my Chinese is intermediate level so I'm not sure how I will manage doing all of this stuff on my own without an interpreter- if anyone has done this by themselves, I'd love to hear about your experience.
So far, I am planning on staying in an hotel/airbnb/tujia property for approx. one week whilst I look for an apartment.

I also understand that I need to pay 2.5months rent upfront (?)

I have stayed in Kunming before for around three months and I loved my time there.

I also have a decent idea as to what sort of stuff I need to bring to China!

Thanks again to everyone for taking time in reading my very long post full of questions and offering their wisdom to this crazy laowai :)

Kind regards,
S

Forums > Living in Kunming > What to bring to Kunming?

@tigertiger I've stocked up on a few days' worth of meds, so I don't have to dick around looking for a chemist if I get the (what seems inevitable) gastro. As with less body hair- does that mean I should bring wax, girly razors etc? Or are there heaps of salons around?

@blobbles Yeah, I've heard that squatting is actually far better for bladder/urinary tract health, so hopefully I become adept at it. Don't know how easy it'll be since I wear tights (stocking, hosiery whatevs theyre called) all the time!

@mPRin I'm really just hoping to focus on learning Mandarin, but blu-tac will defs come in handy for sticking up 'must learn' words etc! Verb paradigm on the loo door, lol.

Speaking of tights (stocking, hosiery whatevs theyre called): are they readily available? or only in the super tiny one-size-fits-nobody?
Also bought some insect repellent- didn't get malaria shots and I've heard that some local repellents don't cut it.

Forums > Living in Kunming > What to bring to Kunming?

Thanks- will definitely look into a VPN. I use gmail and watch a lot of al Jazeera ( I think they got booted out of China a while back?), so it's a must have for me.

@blobbles was that the mum pooping or the baby?! Cos I've actually seen such a thing take place in beautiful downtown Liverpool: mother just takes off her kids' nappy and lets him do his thing...
@mPRin yeah, I've heard Wenlin Jie is the place for foreigners, will be nice when I'm feeling homesick.
Wonder if there's any science behind the sweating less? Or perhaps just to do with diet/size or something?

A bit apprehensive re. the squatty potties- again, have seen all manner of devices for sale for Westerners to use (seems we have a real problem with blowback :P ), but I'm sure I'll manage.
Any advice for (or previous threads) regarding sim cards?