Of course, the reason you came to China will always have the greatest influence on where you live. Tourists are often baffled to learn that they ll pay almost the same prices to stay in a big, international hotel in Beijing that they would in New York, London, Paris or Rome. Foreign companies fork out big bucks to protect their expats from the horrors of the real world by putting them up in expensive hotels. You end up so busy that you have to tote your laptop computer into the bathroom with you when you take a dump. If you intend to live in one of these places, be prepared.
Rooms are small and hot water and electricity are unreliable at best.
While these facilities are cheap, it doesn t make much sense to live in them unless you re working for the school. Foreign diplomatic or service housing complexes are usually well situated and offer ample space compared to Chinese housing, hotels and foreign expert facilities. Instead you d better get used to concrete, glass and steel. It s likely that the only Chinese person you ll ever be on a first name basis with during your stint in one of these places is the guard at the front gate. It is generally understood that big multinational companies are the only ones actually paying for these homes.