Moving to China: A Foreigner’s Guide

Key Advice for Moving to China

• Find a job before you move. Teaching English is a common option, but check that employers are credible and ask current teachers about their experiences. A good company should help with the visa process; if it won’t, consider another employer.
• Plan your housing and upfront costs. Employers may help you find a place, but other options include real-estate agents, rental websites, and WeChat groups or referrals. Be prepared for costs such as three months’ rent in advance, a deposit, and possibly an agency fee.
• Set up your home with local options. Supermarkets and IKEA can cover the basics, while Taobao offers a wide range of household goods and other products. The presenter recommends Baopals as an English-language way to shop on Taobao and get help with sellers or missing packages.
• Expect to find most things you need, but pack a few favorites. Imported goods are available, though they can cost more than local products. The presenter suggests bringing sweets or chocolate from home. Clothing brands are available, but sizes may run small, especially for taller or larger people and those with larger shoe sizes.
• Check the climate where you’re going. China’s weather varies significantly between the north and south.
• Use China’s transport network.
  • For longer trips, consider high-speed trains or flights. Sleeper trains can be an experience if you have more time.
  • Trip.com and 12306 are mentioned for booking train and plane tickets.
  • Within cities, use subways, buses, shared bikes, or Didi. In Beijing, the presenter finds the subway cheap and easy.
• Learn some Mandarin. Even a few basic phrases can make daily life easier and help you explore local markets and neighborhoods. The presenter’s routine is to study for 20 minutes every day, use spare moments for practice, and set goals with Jack. Busuu’s study plan and feedback from native speakers help maintain the routine.
• Get used to delivery apps. Food, drinks, groceries, and parcels can be delivered quickly and cheaply. Meituan and Ele.me are popular but primarily Chinese-language. JSS and Sherpa’s offer English-language options, with Sherpa’s noted for a wider range of Western dishes at a higher price.
• Set up WeChat early. It’s presented as an essential all-purpose app for messaging, payments, translating menus, and buying tickets. Keep enough phone storage for the apps you’ll need.
• Be patient during the adjustment period. The presenter says preparation, language practice, and openness to local customs helped him settle in. He also jokes that drinking hot water is the answer to life’s problems in China.

Notable Locations, Products, and People

• Locations: China; Beijing; the north and south of China.
• Products and services: WeChat, Taobao, Baopals, IKEA, Trip.com, 12306, Didi, Busuu, Meituan, Ele.me, JSS, and Sherpa’s.
• People: Nico, the presenter, and Jack, his language-learning partner.