Home/Accommodation
1. Do you live in a house or a flat?
"I live in a flat with my wife in Beijing. Owning a house here is often out of reach for most people because of the high property prices. When buying a flat, you need to consider factors like convenience, price, condition, and transportation. Fortunately, I'm quite satisfied with the flat we bought."

2. Can you describe the place where you live?
"I have to say, it’s a great neighborhood. We have a large garden beneath our building, so my wife and I often walk our dog, Snow, on sunny days. The subway station is just outside, which is very convenient. There is an amusement park called Happy Valley right across the street. You know, it's pretty much our local version of Six Flags."

3. How long have you lived there?
"We've lived in this apartment for about six years. We bought it back in 2017, and it was already fully furnished, so we moved in right away. Then, about two years later, the pandemic hit, and we didn't have many places to go for recreation. So we spent most of our time at home, occasionally taking walks in the neighborhood garden or playing table tennis outside."

4. Please describe the room you live in. 
"My wife and I often use the study room. There are two separate desks, which let us work at the same time without bothering each other. The room also has a couple of bookshelves, which actually hold more than just books due to the limited storage in our flat."

5. What part of your home do you like the most?
"I like the living room the most because it's my personal space to relax. Whether I'm playing video games, watching movies, or diving into books, it's an ideal spot for some alone time or socializing with family and friends. Especially since the pandemic, having such a cozy haven has become even more valuable to me."

6. Who do you live with?
"I live with my wife and our dog, Snow. We often take walks together in the beautiful garden right under our building. It's a nice way for us to relax and enjoy some outdoor time, especially on sunny days."

7. What room does your family spend most of the time in?
"My family spends most of our time in the living room. It's a central space for various recreational activities. We watch TV, play video games, read books, and have our meals there. It's quite spacious and flexible, serving as a multi-functional space for us."

10. Do you plan to live there for a long time?
"While I have a strong connection with Beijing, I'm also open to trying new places. The pandemic made me reevaluate my plans, and I'm currently applying to schools in Canada for further study, believing that this experience will contribute to my personal development and career advancement. "

12. Are the transport facilities to your home very good?
Yes, the transport facilities to my home are excellent. The subway station is conveniently located just outside, making it easy for me to travel. I can easily transfer to other lines using Line 7. However, I sometimes experience delays when using Didi, our local version of Uber, so in those situations, I prefer to drive by myself. 

13. What kind of house or flat do you do you want to live in the future?
In the future, I would like to live in a one-bedroom apartment near my school. Since I will study in Canada next year, I find it more convenient to rent a place close to campus. This is because when I was studying at Upenn, my wife and I lived in a similar type of house, and it worked well for us. Having a one-bedroom apartment not only provides enough space for us, but also allows us to socialize with friends.


16. What's the difference between where you are living now and where you have
lived in the past?
One of the biggest differences is the frequency of socializing with people at home. When I used to study at Upenn, my wife and I lived in a one-bedroom flat where we would often socialize with friends every weekend. We enjoyed having dinner together, playing video games or poker, watching TV shows, and chatting. However, in my current home in Beijing, we seldom invite friends over.

17. Do you think it is important to live in a comfortable environment?
Yes, it is. Air quality, in particular, is crucial to me as I have a sensitive throat and experience discomfort due to air pollution, so I have bought various air purifiers. When fog with pollutants appears, it can even impact my mood. However, I really enjoy spending time outdoors when the air is fresh, engaging in activities such as cycling, having picnics, or simply taking a walk in the park.
Can you regonize the similarities in the materials about home? Please summarize them for me.