Housing in China
Finding a home to stay in china can be quite challenging and may require perseverance from your end. Most expats choose between regular and high-end apartments when it comes to rental homes and it most commonly goes through a Chinese realtor. Since most Chinese do not know how to speak English, you might as well find an interpreter to help you out. A list of real estate agents you may want to consider can be found in this link and an interpreter you can hire can be found in this link.
For rents updated in real-time, please refer to this page.
Property Type |
Shanghai (In US $) |
Beijing (In US $) |
Tianjin (In US $) |
One-bedroom Apartment (Outside of Centre) |
589.11 |
620.10 |
250.98 |
Three-bedroom Apartment (Outside of Centre) |
1,428.38 |
1,442.73 |
511.71 |
Source: numbeo.com
There are several websites available in China for you to look into when searching for homes. You may want to check out the following links where you can actually find yourself a home:
Once you’ve found the home you desire, you may now be able to discuss rental matters to a realtor. However, if you find it hard to choose among the websites above, hiring a realtor may also include that they help you find a property with the specifications you require. Almost all rental transactions in China are done through a realtor or directly to the landlord. The good news is, if you hire a realtor, the person will be able to assist you from looking for a place to stay to signing your lease contract. Just be prepared to provide the following documents when you are about to sign a contract for rent:
- Chinese Visa
- Passport
- Proof of income or sufficient savings