“How will I find an apartment when I first arrive in China?”
“Do I need to secure an apartment online before I fly out?”
These are among the most common questions we receive from teachers who have accepted job offers and are preparing to move to China for the first time. It’s completely understandable—leaving your home country and relocating to China is a significant life change, and most teachers naturally want to know how the accommodation process works. Finding a place to live is arguably the most important task you’ll undertake during your first week in China, so in this blog post, we’ll outline what you can expect during this period.
School-Provided Accommodation
For about 25% of teaching positions in China, the school will provide new teachers with a fully furnished apartment upon arrival. For these teachers, securing accommodation is one less thing to worry about. However, for the remaining 75% who need to find their own housing, the process begins soon after arrival.
The Daunting Task of Apartment Hunting
Moving to a foreign country with a unique culture can feel overwhelming. As a result, some teachers prefer to arrange their accommodation before arriving. While this may provide peace of mind, we strongly advise against it! Researching the city you’ll be moving to is certainly helpful, but committing to an apartment from abroad is unnecessary. Finding a place to live once you’re in China is typically quick and straightforward.
Initial Accommodation
Upon your arrival, your school will most likely arrange for you to stay in a hotel for the first week. This provides ample time for you to secure a permanent residence, so you need not worry about where you will stay during those initial nights. The main objective for both you and your school during this week is simple: find a place to live!
Using WeChat to Find an Apartment
When it comes to searching for an apartment, WeChat is an essential tool and will be your primary means of communication during your house hunt (as discussed in our previous blog post, 5 Must-Have Apps When Moving to China). A few days before your departure and during your initial days in China, your school will provide you with the WeChat contacts of local estate agents and add you to “house share” groups.
Once you’re connected, the process is fairly straightforward. You simply message the agents, specifying your preferences—such as the number of bedrooms, whether you want a shared flat or an en-suite, your location preferences, and your budget. Typically, you’ll receive responses within 12 hours, offering 4 or 5 excellent options.
If you’re interested in shared accommodation, there will also be a variety of listings in the WeChat groups. The agents can assist you in finding suitable shared options as well.
Viewing Apartments
In China, things move quickly. After receiving apartment options, you can agree on viewing times, usually within the next 48 hours. Typically, someone from your school will accompany you to these viewings to help you navigate the new environment and ensure the apartments meet your expectations. During the viewings, agents will guide you through the apartments, explain key details, and answer any questions you may have.
After a day or two of viewings, you can either choose an apartment to sign for or arrange additional viewings if you’re not yet satisfied. Most teachers find a suitable place after viewing 3 or 4 apartments.
Signing the Lease
The signing process is as efficient as the viewings. Once you’ve selected an apartment, you can usually move in within 2-3 days. This means that most teachers successfully find and settle into their new homes by the end of their first week in China!
Conclusion
Relocating to a country like China for the first time can be nerve-wracking. However, don’t let the thought of finding accommodation add to your anxiety. As we’ve detailed in this blog post, the apartment-hunting process in China is straightforward and efficient. You will have the full support of your school throughout this process, and if you’re placed at one of Teach English Global’s partner schools, you can count on our guidance every step of the way!
