July 31, 2008 - Our New Apartment – Answers to Your Questions

This the fourth (but not the last!) installment in the Our New Apartment Series. Who knew this topic could be so stimulating? As for me, I'm glad to have unpacked every last box! There is no more cardboard in this house! Ahh.. that feels so good to say. Besides this entry, I'll also have posts explaining the mysteries of the squatty potty and showing you our now fully cluttered home.

On to the questions --

Keeley asked

Are there apartment rules in China? In Germany you're not allowed to flush your toilet between certain hours, and you must be very very quiet at all times...it's bad news if you have active children. Anything like that in China?

How about apartment amenities? In Germany when you move into an apartment you have to put in a whole new kitchen; cabinets, sink, everything. Is there anything that they don't have in China ie I presume dishwashers don't come standard?

Not many rules surround living in apartments. All I can think of are -- Put your trash in the cans. And  don’t let your air conditioner water hose drip onto the downstairs neighbor’s laundry.

Apartments are usually already equipped with plumbing and kitchen cabinets. Bathrooms and kitchens are generally areas where Chinese people don’t spend a lot of money on building or remodeling.  So the plumbing and cabinets may be at a much lower standard or just not as large as we westerners would prefer.

Dishwashers? Is this a joke? Okay, I know you’re asking a serious question here. No. Dishwashers do not exist in China. If I tried to explain it to someone here, I’m sure I’d get the same look that I get when I mention a dryer. They are generally unheard of.

jones9387   asked

Wow, the garden is beautiful! I hope you are going to like the new apartment. Is it pretty big inside? What level are you living on? Does the apartment have elevators? If not you will be getting some good exercise. :)

Quite big – about 145 square meters or 1600 square feet.  We are on the second floor, so the walk is not bad at all. Because our building only has six floors, there are no elevators.  Buildings “only” six to eight floors usually have no elevator. 

Dawn asked 

I love it! Isn't that a big apartment by China standards?

It’s not super big. But it’s not tiny by any means. Apartments in crowded places like Hong Kong are very tiny. But Chinese apartments are spacious compared to that. You can find all types of apartments from in China; the variable is the cost.

 I love the hallway area.

Thanks. We’ve converted that into a homeschool area.

What are the floors made out of?

We have a fake wood flooring and a white ceramic(?) or stone(?) tile.

Linda asked

I’m impressed with how easy to clean the surfaces that the landlord has chosen will be.

Yes, that’s a high priority. Most all flooring and furniture can be doused with water – even boiling water—with no damage done.

Are there markets close by?

Sure. About a five minute walk is a nice wet market for meats and veggies. The problem is that coming home, loaded with food, it’s uphill all the way! In the heat, I’ve tried to avoid this and have been shopping at supermarkets instead.

What about children in the complex?

They are here! And Sprite has already made some acquaintances.

What about your clothes line?

We hang our clothes on hangers and then suspend them from two rods on the ceiling of a balcony type area. I’ll get a dryer eventually. Obviously that’s a seasonal item here and isn’t sold until winter.

Are you near any of the Olympics sites?

No. Far, far away, thank goodness!

Keeley asked

Dude. I just LOVE that fridge. It has beautiful styling.

Thanks! It’s the landlord’s, and I’m thrilled with it! It’s the biggest one we’ve ever had in China.

The bottom is a freezer with an “ice maker” (two built in ice trays with a built in ice container below). The top is the refrigerator compartment and the center is specially designed for drinks. Of course, I took the drink racks out and put milk and leftovers in there.

jennifer  asked

What are your views like?

We overlook the garden on one side and another apartment complex on the other side. From every window, we can see green plants.

Do you have your own entrance? How many apts are in your bldg?

The building we live in has 12 apartments. There is one entrance to the building which we all share. Then our home has one entrance.

KerryLeighinNC asked

I have a question for you - are your Chinese friends (and you) excited about the upcoming Olympics?

Well, I’m not much of a sports fan myself, so I’ve never been terribly interested by the Olympics. There’s been so much hype for well over a year that it gets almost tiring. So to be honest, no, I’m not excited about the Olympics. We’ll watch some on the TV, I’m sure. But I wouldn’t say it’s “exciting.”

Chinese people are looking forward to it. There’s a daily countdown to the opening day. It’s a matter of national pride. I’m not sure that they would use the word “excited” either. It’s a diversion, something to talk about like the weather.

Marsha asked

I do really like how the floors and walls are tile. In Korea, it was SO nice to be able to wash your feet and the whole rest of the bathroom and not have to worry about getting water on stuff. The drain on the floor is the best. I couldn't really tell, but is that how your bathroom is too?

Yes, there are drains in the bathroom floors and in the kitchen. This is standard in China. Negatives – drains can stink and insects can travel up them.  The solution is to keep them covered when not in use. Positives  -- kitchen and bathroom messes are easily doused with a bucket of water and swept down the drain !

Anonymous asked

One more question, are the fridges tiny because shopping is done more frequently or are there just fewer things that require refrigeration?

Great question! Shopping is done daily! Sometimes more than once a day. And I’ve found that Chinese cooks are great at making just enough for one meal. So there are few leftovers. There are still many, many families in China that do not own a refrigerator at all.

Earlier posts in this series  #1 The Real Estate Agent, #2 The Complex, #3 The Inside.

Later posts in this series #5 The Squatty Potty, #6 Unpacked and Cluttered, #7 The Kitchen.

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Comments

July 31, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by amtell

"And I’ve found that Chinese cooks are great at making just enough for one meal. So there are few leftovers."

We rarely have leftovers at our house either, but it's probably due more to my childrens' appetites than any skill on my part. LOL.

Thanks for posting all this. Very interesting stuff.

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July 31, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by 4sweetums

What a great post! I can't wait for my teen son to get home from work so he can read this. He loves your cultural posts.
Blessings,
Dawn

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August 1, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by socalval

Sorry it has taken me a few days to get around blogland - we've been so busy with things... the camp and earthquake thing really threw us off course. Now, I'm feeling human again and can get back to blogging. Hope you are having a great day.

Valerie

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August 2, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

I totally read every word. how is this so fascinating to me??? hmmm.

emily
thelearningneverstops.blogspot.com

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August 2, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by EEEEMommy

Emily stole my comment. I don't know why I'm so fascinated, but I am! You didn't realize you lived such a fascinating life did you?
Have you thought about getting a wagon to pull your groceries up the hill after going to the market? Are wagons unheard of too? I guess you'd have to figure out how to store it, and carrying up to flights of stairs wouldn't be all that easy....

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August 2, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by 4sweetums

Ok! Here is a list of questions from my children for a blog entry someday! LOL! They have been watching the smog count for the Olympics. Is the pollution and air quality bad in your new city? About how many people live there? Are the homes in their own neighborhoods with stores and businesses a distance away or all mixed up together?
Blessings,
Dawn

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August 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by kimalita

I just can't get enough of China living! I am reading and reading and reading all your posts and love all the pics! I'll have ot go back a bit as I don't know why you all moved in the first place....unless you didn't share that. :)
Great questions!!

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