Tips for Finding an Apartment in Beijing 2022

Tips for Finding an Apartment in Beijing

Congrats! Moving to Beijing is an exciting adventure, and with it comes important decisions such as where you’re going to live after you get where you’re going. After all, moving is a chance to start fresh. New city, new you apartment, right? Moving to a new place and into a new apartment can also be a bit intimidating, but fret not. Apartment searching (even in a new, unfamiliar city) can be easy peasy – if you have the right tips to assist you, that is.

I’ll be your apartment searching assistant (if you’ll have me), giving you the best tips for finding your perfect residential rental in Beijing – whichever city it may be! The Windy City, the Big Apple, America’s Finest City – the list goes on and on for wonderful places to find your rental bliss. Let the adventure begin

RESEARCH THE CITY

Before you make any moves, research the city you’re moving to. You’re interested in not only the area’s vibe and its unique characteristics, but also its average cost of rent, amount of rentals in the area, and types of apartments available for rent. For instance, if you want to rent a one-bedroom loft, but can only find a studio apartment or a two-bedroom townhome available for rent, you may have to adjust what you’re searching for based on what your new city has to offer.

There’s nothing wrong with that! Moving to Beijing is all about adjusting your expectations, surroundings, and everyday life. Who knows – you may end up loving that studio apartment or two-bedroom townhome even more than your idealized one-bedroom loft! And if you want my opinion (I’ll give it regardless), I think you’ll be just fine finding your perfect apartment in your new city with the help of the best site to find an apartment (and me, of course). If the city is more affordable than what you’d originally thought, that’s great! But if it’s a bit pricier than you had hoped – that’s okay too. You’ll just have to budget wisely (we’ll get to that).

CHOOSE A NEIGHBORHOOD OR TWO YOU’RE INTERESTED IN

Generally speaking, singles or couples prefer living in apartments close to their office, while families with young children may prefer the suburbs as the housing compounds are gated and children have more freedom to ride bikes and play with friends, as well as their proximity to more international schools.So, you have an idea of what your new city is like after you’ve done some research. You’ve zoomed in and around Google maps, meaning you’ve pinpointed the best places to get a cup of coffee in the city, discovered the trendiest boutiques downtown, and have a clue as to what the most popular (trafficky) neighborhoods are in the city. This is likely based on the number of residential and commercial buildings you saw on the map, as well as the average population in the area from helpful data you found. The internet is your friend here, renters.

If you’re interested in quiet streets that are mainly residential, try searching for an apartment in a suburban neighborhood in Shunyi District ,Beijing . If you prefer the hype of urban living, try a downtown district or nearby urban neighborhood in Chaoyang District,Dongcheng District ,Daxing Distirictor Xicheng District. It’ll be busier, but it’ll also likely be closer to the city’s central business district – this is important if you enjoy the convenience of a quick commute to work.  

There are several factors expats should consider when looking for housing in Beijing, including proximity to their children's school and places of work, individual and housing budget.

Chaoyang District

Chaoyang District serves as Beijing's diplomatic district, where most foreign embassies to China are located. With the concentration of international companies and international schools, Chaoyang District is one of the top choices for expats to live.

Central Business District (Guomao Area)

Five-star hotels, office skyscrapers and international shopping malls are concentrated in the city centre of Beijing. Expats can find a wide selection of serviced and non-serviced high-end apartments offering exciting city living. The city centre is an ideal choice for expats who prefer to live in walking distance or within a 10-minute drive to their offices.

Chaoyang Park

Chaoyang Park is one of the best residential areas in Beijing, thanks to its large green areas and open spaces. High-quality properties have been developed with a 'park view' concept and it is a perfect setting for expat families who prefer living in the city but away from the office crowds. Compounds to the east of Chaoyang Park are less expensive, yet more spacious– a high price tag is normally attached to this, so it's important to consider the cost of living.

Sanlitun

Sanlitun is one of Beijing’s most energetic and enjoyable neighborhoods. With the famous Sanlitun 'Bar Street providing the best pubs in Beijing, the Taikoo Li Sanlitun shopping complex, nightclubs and trendy restaurants, Sanlitun is an extremely popular hangout for young and single expats. Quite a few properties have been developed to meet the needs of young expat singles or couples who enjoy the colourful city life.

Lido and Wangjing

Lido was one of Beijing’s earliest expat residential areas and is particularly popular with families. Lido is conveniently located near parks, entertainment, art galleries and international schools. The neighbouring area, Wangjing, is a massive residential zone, where expats can find more reasonably priced accommodation and a sense of integration with the local population. It’s also known as Beijing’s Korea-town, owing to its large number of South Korean residents. The local eateries and pedestrian areas make it the perfect place for families as well as young adults.

Dongcheng District

As part of the Central Imperial City, Dongcheng District is laced with history from eras throughout Beijing's history. Although dotted with many museums, relics and landmarks, a growing number of modern shopping malls and office buildings have brought a more businesslike atmosphere to the district.

Dongzhimen

Dongzhimen is one of the most vibrant areas in Beijing, with the city’s largest public transport hub nearby. Neighbouring the Sanlitun, Dongzhimen is one of the most popular living areas for expat families in Beijing. Despite its central location, there is an abundance of trees and the newly renovated canal system is a wonderful place for romantic evening strolls under the willows. Cheaper rent can also be found here compared to the city centre, making it accessible for young working professionals on a budget.

Wangfujing and Dongdan

Wangfujing and Dongdan are located in the heart of Beijing, next to the pedestrian Wangfujing Street.This neighbourhood is a short walk to Tiananmen Square. There are limited accommodation options available for expats in this area but those who do reside here love being surrounded by historical sites and cultural atmosphere, and enjoy the short walking distance to their workplaces as well as convenient shopping and dining out.

Shunyi District

Located just outside 5th Ring Road to the northeast, about 18 miles (30km) out of downtown, this spacious suburban district has been developed as a high-end villa district. Most popular high-end villa compounds are nestled in the west of the Beijing Airport Expressway, along Jingshun Road and Wenyu River.

Shunyi District offers an excellent living environment for families with children and people who prefer a lifestyle of leisure, outdoor space, and want to escape the pollution of Beijing. Expats can easily find amenities like restaurants, supermarkets, coffee shops, banks, grocery stores, pet shops, beauty salons and flower markets. However, a car is likely needed for daily transport.

Xicheng District

Expats living in Xicheng District usually work in Financial Street, which is home to multinational companies, particularly in the banking and insurance sectors. The expat residential market continues to take shape here, with only a limited selection of serviced apartments ;and high-end apartments available, making rental fees relatively higher. Young expat working professionals Expats living in Xicheng District usually work in Financial Street, which is home to multinational companies, particularly in the banking and insurance sectors. The expat residential market continues to take shape here, with only a limited selection of serviced apartments;and high-end apartments available, making rental fees relatively higher. Young expat working professionals looking for accommodation are likely to find flatshares, which is easier on the budget.

CALCULATE YOUR BUDGET

Neighborhood searching is pretty fun right? You’ve found a few places you think you’ll enjoy calling home (or maybe you already had a neighborhood in mind). Whether it’s a quick commute to your new job, close to a variety of restaurants and shops, has walkable streets, or just fits with the area vibe you’re looking for, it’s time to move on to your next decision!

My fellow renters, what’s your budget? Are you unsure of how much you should spend on rent or what the average cost of rent is in your new neighborhood? Do some research into the area and see what you can find. Specifically, search for a few neighborhoods on your preferred apartment listing site, along with the type of rental you’re looking for (studio apartment or three-bedroom house, for instance), and look at the range of rent for that particular area and type of rental. This should give you a good idea of how expensive or affordable the neighborhood you’ve chosen is. Make your estimated budget from there – you can always adjust it as you see fit (as long as you’re not spending more than you can afford). Never forget the 50/30/20 rule of thumb!

SEARCH ONLINE FOR APARTMENTS

You’re already apartment searching at this point for budget reasons based on the cost of living and renting in Beijing (and preferred neighborhood Sanlitun ,Wangfujing ,Lufuthansa,Lido Place ,CBD Guomao Area,for instance), so now it’s time to (drumroll please) choose your new apartment! Two of the most important aspects of your apartment search are checked off - where you want to live and how much you’re willing to spend. Now that that’s settled, specify your apartment search with the apartment size (one-, two-, or three-bedroom) you’re interested in, the type of rental (house, townhouse, apartments, etc.), and the cost of rent (don’t forget our favorite rule of thumb). Now it’s time to pick an apartment! But wait – you can’t forget about amenities – oh how I love apartment amenities.

DECIDE WHAT AMENITIES YOU DESIRE

Whether you’re considering apartment features or community amenities, they’re fantastic aspects that can set one apartment listing apart from the next – not to mention they make apartment living that much more appealing.  

Whether you’re hoping for luxury features like granite countertops or alluring amenities like an on-site parking or resort-style swimming pool, many apartment listings will offer these and more (depending on the city you’re moving to). Whatever the amenity or feature may be, you can limit your apartment search on www.nestfinder.cn to get listings that offer those amenities. No, I’m not being facetious, I’m serious – that actually exists. Lucky you, am I right?

ASK FOR HELP FROM FRIENDS, COWORKERS, OR ANYONE FAMILIAR WITH THE AREA or Processional Advice

If there’s anyone in your professional, social, or familial circle who can be of assistance to you in this exciting journey, ask for help! Anyone around you who is familiar with the city you’re about to pick up and move to can be extremely beneficial to your apartment search. Perhaps you’re deciding between two apartments in two different neighborhoods, and your current boss or friend-of-a-friend mentions that one neighborhood is safer than the other – take this advice into consideration.

Security is likely (as it should be) important to you in your apartment search, as well as in your chosen neighborhood and city, so advice such as this could be the one thing that helps you decide between your potential new homes. Ask for help and absorb others’ advice, but ultimately, you’re the one with the final decision, so do thorough research and choose wisely!

Seek professional advice

The problem is not a shortage of apartments in Beijing but rather finding the right apartment. Searching for a new home is not always a simple and straightforward process; so in a city of over 20 million and 16 districts, the help of estate agents is invaluable.

Choosing a reputable real estate company you can trust is essential and their expertise will pay off. They have access to a wide and extensive database of apartments and prices are generally consistent with the going market rates. They are also able to deal with rent negotiation and legal difficulties.

The process is complicated when communication and language barriers are involved. There are only a handful of estate agencies in Beijing that offer their services in English.

NestFinder, is a highly reputable and dependable agency who caters specifically to expats. They speak a range of languages fluently including English and Chinese.

Expats generally have different requirements and higher expectations compared to locals. NestFinder and other agencies that deal with foreigners are therefore more reliable: their vast knowledge of and experience with expat housing will be beneficial to avoid being misled, wasting time and money.

Ensuring requirements are not lost in translation is another important reason for using an agent who speaks fluent English. Importantly, documents such as the contract, can be produced in English to make sure there are no misunderstandings. Note that if there is a dispute, the Chinese version will prevail.

TRY TO VISIT THE PROPERTY IN PERSON

So, you’ve decided on say, a two-bedroom apartment with a community that features a 24-hour fitness center and the biggest walk-in closets you’ve ever had in a rental. Score!

But before you make any major decisions (aka signing a lease), I suggest visiting the property first. It’ll allow you to get a better look at the neighborhood and the apartment itself. But if you can’t make it to the city before your move, take full advantage of online virtual tours (often available on the apartment’s online listing). If this specific apartment doesn’t offer that, ask the leasing office or landlord about the option of allowing a video tour of the apartment guided by the landlord, property manager, or leasing agent. Seeing the apartment firsthand will be a big help in making your final decision (well, sort of firsthand - firsthand-ish?).

Any who, you’ve researched the city, chosen a neighborhood, set a budget, searched for an apartment, selected your preferred amenities, toured your apartment (in some way), and picked your perfect rental! You’ve conquered the quest of learning how to move to Beijing (packing and unpacking is a whole other story) and how to find an apartment – it wasn’t all that hard, now was it? It just takes a little time, research, and dedication in order to find a rental when you’re moving to Beijing that fits your needs and wants. I hope your apartment search is simple and your new home is fabulous. Enjoy this new and exciting journey, my fellow renters.