When I was seven years old, my family moved from China to sunny Southern California. Although I was excited to start my new life in the US, I remember being scared to leave my extended family, friends, and basically everything I knew behind to move to a land where I didn’t know the language, culture, or anyone other than my parents. Our first few months in the US were difficult. With no Google or Yelp available, we relied on the Yellow Pages (remember those thick phone books from the old days?) and recommendations from friends and neighbors to get by. If only we had something like a Home and Relocation Guide handy, I know it would have made life so much easier.
Now that I’m a seasoned expat, I’m so pleased to be able to share all the Beijing life lessons and hacks that make life in our fair city that much easier and fun for the whole family. So with that said, welcome to your new home and let’s dig into the 2020-2021 beijingkids Home and Relocation Guide!
In this issue we share tips on finding an apartment in Beijing and negotiating a housing contract so you don’t fall victim to scammers or ill-written contracts. Don’t believe that moving nightmares happen here? Three expat families share their housing stories so you can hopefully learn from their misfortune.
For kids, the move can be stressful. Education expert Julie Wolf shares her tips for preparing young kids for the big move and our student correspondent Sharanya Trivedi shares her first-person experience as a globe-trotting teen.
Make your family’s life in Beijing easier and get all the deets on finding an ayi to help you run your home, the know-how on finding the right school for your little ones, the legal ins and outs of owning a dog in the city and bringing your fur-baby out of China when you leave, as well as the lowdown on the city’s best family-friendly parks where you can spend a sunny afternoon picnicking.
I’m a firm believer that home is where the heart is. Beijing is a welcoming city, with a community of expats from all around the world, so if you make the effort to explore all the great things and culture that the city has to offer, then you’ll be feeling right at home in no time.
KEEP READING: Helpful Tips for When It’s Time to Move On From Beijing
Photos: Uni You
This article appeared in the beijingkids 2020 June issue
