July 7, 2008 - Our New Apartment -- The Real Estate Agent
Before I take you to the apartment, I thought I'd take you back a step to where it started -- the real estate agent. Since we're new to this city, we simply walked around the city center looking for an agent.This is what we found.
Here's my dear husband waiting at the agent's stall while the agent makes some calls for us. (Yes, there are nicer offices in some places in China. But in our new home, this is pretty standard.)
The available apartments and storefronts are listed on boards like this. We tell the agent what we would like, and she charges 10 RMB (about $1.50) to show us two apartments. We have to pay for the taxi if we take one. The agent receives anywhere from 3% of the yearly rent to one month's rent. This is all negotiated. We visited three different agents. The third one was the charm.
And here's Sprite.
Other posts in this series
#2 The Complex, #3 The Inside, #4 Answers to Your Questions, #5 The Squatty Potty, #6 Unpacked and Cluttered, #7 The Kitchen
Comments
July 8, 2008 - Wow!
Posted by ClagettsFLStyle
What a difference from here in the states!
Can't wait to see the pic's of the new home
July 8, 2008 - wow!
Posted by Anonymous
I just love visiting your blog.... I learn something new about China!
Cant wait to see where you end up!
Lisa
Koinonia Academy
July 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by homeschoolingmy2
Very interesting! I can't wait to see your new home.
I love your glimpses into Chinese life.
Sherry
July 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
I'm looking forward to seeing your apartment. Thanks for sharing all your experiences in China!
Peace to you,
Renae
http://lifenurturingeducation.com/
July 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Alexandra
Wow, how interesting. Thanks for sharing. Hope you find an apartment soon. : ) When I lived overseas as a child, we lived in a hotel before we found an apartment. It was kind of the pits, so I can empathize. It was nice to finally get settled in our own place especially after spending Christmas in the hotel.
July 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Alexandra
Oops, forgot my link.
http://happyheartsathome.blogspot.com/
July 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Emily
wow....and our agent thinks HIS office is small. whew, guess not.
Don't you 'love' moving? I'm the queen.
Emily
thelearningneverstops.blogspot.com
July 8, 2008 - Wow!
Posted by madiantin@blogspot.com
Oh my good gravy, I got culture shock just looking at the pictures. I'm imagining arriving in China and looking at those boards...I would be SO lost! I'm presuming, then, that you know at least a smattering of the language? =D
I just LOVE your blog. It's a wonderful insight into a totally different world.
I do hope all the upheaval is done for you now, and that whatever it was that was happening to cause the upheaval has sorted itself out. I hope you love your new apartment and quickly feel at home. I hope all your neighbours are lovely and sweet and kind and you find nifty shops nearby that make you go "Oooohh!!" =)
July 8, 2008 - Wow!
Posted by madiantin.blogspot.com
Oh my good gravy, I got culture shock just looking at the pictures. I'm imagining arriving in China and looking at those boards...I would be SO lost! I'm presuming, then, that you know at least a smattering of the language? =D
I just LOVE your blog. It's a wonderful insight into a totally different world.
I do hope all the upheaval is done for you now, and that whatever it was that was happening to cause the upheaval has sorted itself out. I hope you love your new apartment and quickly feel at home. I hope all your neighbours are lovely and sweet and kind and you find nifty shops nearby that make you go "Oooohh!!" =)
July 9, 2008 - My son lives in China, too!
Posted by Deborah
Hi, I just stumbled upon your blog and love it. I'm going to subscribe to it and follow your life in China. My son lives in Luo Yang where he teaches English at a technical university. He's been there 18 months now. I have visited him twice so far, and hope to go back one more time before he returns for good to the U.S. (early next year). I have photos of my most recent visit on my own blog: www.debztalkin.blogspot.com (you'll have to meander back through May posts to find them), if you are interested.
Your particular style of homeschooling is awesome! And imagine doing it in China....!
By the way, I'm a digital scrapbooker-for-hire. I custom-design photo albums and yearbooks. Please visit my blog and/or website for more info and samples of my work (including a yearbook); www.webajeb.blogspot.com, www.webajeb.com). The cool thing about digital is that your album can be shared via the web, email, or slideshow - great for people who are living far from home.
Good luck in your new apartment, and Life in China!
Deborah
July 10, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by solidrock
Wow the whole process is so fasinating! I have to assume you can read the post?! ( on the board) What an adventure!
July 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by drewsfamilytx
Wow, I just think it is so fascinating how the ways things are done can be so different from country to country!
