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Housing tips of the trade |
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Beijing Weekend By Zhang Tianxin  With the
Chinese economy steaming ahead at top speed, more and more foreign business
people are coming to Beijing to cash in on big bucks opportunities. Meanwhile, the number of foreign students studying at Beijing-based universities is also steadily increasing. According to the latest survey held by the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, about 50,000 diplomats, business people and students from outwith China live in the capital at present. As a result, hundreds of real estate companies have come into being, providing convenience to numerous expat house renters. More than 40 large and medium-sized companies have been set up to help smooth the process. According to Cindy Niu, corporate residential services manager with Jones Lang LaSalle Property Management Services Company Ltd, different foreign house seekers have specific demands when choosing a suitable apartment. They make different choices, depending on their different family backgrounds, locations of their offices and income levels. As a result, one of the main jobs of real estate companies is to make suggestions appropriate to foreigners' requirements. Only after careful consultation and appraisal can the most suitable apartment be found. "In short, the high-quality service offered by the staff members of the real estate companies has a scientific foundation," Niu said. The latest statistics show that most apartments rented by foreign business people are located in Chaoyang District. The reason is quite simple: Most of the foreign embassies, luxury hotels and office buildings are in the proximity of Chaoyang District's Lufthansa Shopping Centre and China World Trade Centre. Foreigners working at these diplomatic and commercial institutions are liable to rent their apartments in the vicinity. In addition, many young couples who have pre-school or school age children are inclined to choose apartments in Shunyi District which is located in the northeastern part of Beijing. The reason is closely related to their children's education. In recent years, about 10 international schools and kindergartens have moved from Beijing's downtown areas into the newly-developed suburb. "If we lived in a neighbourhood far away from the international schools and kindergartens, it would be difficult for my children to get education," said Lucy Weller, a housewife from Canada. Apart from that, the apartment buildings near international clinics, parks and supermarkets become the focus for many foreign house seekers. Other factors expat house seekers will take into account include an apartment's layout, interior decoration, facilities and safety. At present, the monthly rent of an ordinary apartment ranges from about US$700 to about US$2,000. A well-equipped and beautifully decorated apartment's monthly rent ranges from around US$2,000 to US$10,000. For those who love the hutong, courtyard houses are a top choice. Nowadays, most courtyard houses rented to foreigners are located close to Xicheng District's Houhai Lake and Haidian District's Yuanmingyuan Park. They are government-regulated courtyard homes so they are consequently more expensive than privately made deals. Located in Beijing's famous scenic spots, these courtyard houses are a great attraction to foreigners. Naturally, the rent of a courtyard home is much higher than that of an apartment in downtown areas. A 100-square-metre courtyard home's monthly rent ranges from US$3,000 to US$4,000. An 800-square-metre quadrangle's monthly rent ranges from US$5,000 to US$10,000. Most of the courtyard houses are pseudo-classic architecture and equipped Agencies |
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2003 By China Daily Information. All rights reserved. |