Expatriate Forums in China

Patrice

Hi all,

I am preparing to move to Beijing next year with the family. It will obviously be a big change compare to my actual location, but that will be a new exciting adventure after 7 years in KL. So I will be lurking around more and more here - esp since I am already quite often in the Capital of the North.
I hope this forum will also soon be as active as the M'sian one. Seems a bit quiet right now Shocked

Cheers,

PAtrice

Manlin · Gender: Joined: 13 Mar 2007 Posts: 81 Home Country: uk

Patrice hi,

yup this forum is very very quiet.

You might wish to take a look at here http://www.beijingcommunity.com/ if you need information.

Please also post here. Maybe together we can help this place rock.

Patrice · Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 12:20 am Post subject:

Manlin · Gender: Joined: 13 Mar 2007 Posts: 81 Home Country: uk

China since 1998, Beijing since 2002

sheenamelissa · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 8:31 pm Post subject: moving to beijing too

hi patrice, i will be going to beijing alone for work... without family. you're lucky. i hope it's gonna be a good place there to live/work at. cheers to this...

Manlin · Gender: Joined: 13 Mar 2007 Posts: 81 Home Country: uk

Sheena hi,

Beijing is a great place to be. You will have a fantastic time here. In general both the local Chinese and the local foreigners are friendly though, like anywhere, you can encounter the proverbial exception that proves the rule.

Maybe Patrice, you and I can start some off-line activities for Beijing members of this forum or, if not enough people, then I will be happy to see you at our monthly FC Club - Career Development -Headhunter Social Networking Evenings.

Regards

ScottW · Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 10:05 am Post subject:

hey welcome to both you guys, spoke to sheena on msn, im sure u will have fun in BJ, too hard not too!!!

seeya1997 · Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 9:20 am Post subject: Should I move

I am in Canada and receive a offer from an acct firm last week. However my "boss" wants me to station in BJ. I have a small family-my wife and 5 yr old boy...I am seeking help here..

I heard BJ weather is bad, air is terrible, traffic is crazy, people are very rude, business people are unreasonable, living condition is like hell, life is boring, health care is non-exist...and you just can't compare BJ with SH..

I really like this job however I will not move to a place as described above...can you pls share your experience.

Manlin · Gender: Joined: 13 Mar 2007 Posts: 81 Home Country: uk

Your description of life in Beijing is far far far from the truth. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and a pre-job look-see visit is worth even more.

If your boss wants you here and wants you to be working almost immediately at full speed it is in his best interest for him to send you and your wife to Beijing for a short (one week trip) to look at the housing, the schools, medical facilities, supermarkets and leisure options.

Assuming that they are paying you a normal expat package you will have a great time here. I think you can find the answers to many of your questions here www.china-expert.org.

However, in brief:

Weather - is OK (Winters not as cold as Canada)

Traffic - Heavy

Air Quality - depends (marginally) on where you live downtown is worse than the suburbs. Can be a couple of days a year with sand. Chinese Gov't doing its best to improve the air quality (becasue of the Olympics)

Housing - ranges from hovels to luxurious villas - depends on location and budget.

Schooling - Numerous top class international schools.

Food/Drink - You can buy almost everything in Beijing (but not at the local supermarkets, need to go one's that specialise in Expat taste buds).

Restaurants - wide selection of cuisines and (most of them) with very attractive prices.

Nightlife - Numerous bars, nightclubs etc.

Theatres - rare to get English language shows

Cinemas - many Cinemas have films in English.

People - in general friendly.

Business orientation - anything to succeed (all's fair in love and war ..... ..................................................................................and business)

I've been in China since 1998 and Beijing since 202. You will enjoy life here.

seeya1997 · Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 11:29 am Post subject: re: living cost

I understand that living cost in BJ is as high as SH. Just wonder for a normal 3 bedroom (exp standard with club house, tight security in a expat area) what is the going rental rate.

I assume BJ is very safe...correct me if I am wrong.

I really concern that BJ local business people are with low education (impression compare with SH and South China) and unreasonable..only drink and drink without respect of professional from outside world...is it true?

Would my wife find BJ interesting after we send our boy to school in BJ?

How big is the expat population in BJ?

Tell me something bad about BJ pls...

Thank you very much...