Where to Live in Chengdu?

[Ellie]

Hi guys,

Myself and a friend are moving to Chengdu next week as teachers and we are wondering if there are any particular areas or districts that would be best to live. We want to be somewhere social and lively. Any suggestions?

Ellie

[Becca.B]

south:)

[Ellie]

Thanks, our employer is trying to persuade us that the West is just as good, is this total rubbish?

[Michael M]

The South has the highest concentration of expats, but the Center and West are pretty good too. If you’re on the metro line in the west that will make transport easier.

[Charlie]

The best neighborhoods to live in for expats, in my opinion, are:

1. Yulin, West of the Nijiaqiao Subway Station
2. Tongzilin, around the Tongzilin Station
3. Zongbei / Zongnan, East of the Nijiaqiao Station, between Renmin Nanlu and Kehua Beilu

All are in the South, which I think is definitely the best district of the city to be in. It’s also the most expensive, but in most cases not by a huge margin (Tongzilin tends to be the most expensive of the three areas mentioned above).

The most important thing is probably proximity to your work, friends, and places you hang out. In general, the most well-trafficked places for expats in Chengdu are in the South, with few exceptions. Bars, restaurants, etc.

[Ray]

The west is not too bad as long as its not too far west. Shuangnan is kinda nice and convenient to get to the south. If your employer says “the area around the north train station is lovely” find another job! 🙂

[Ellie]

Thanks for the advice. We have now been told that all landlords require you to pay 3 months rent, agency fee and a deposit up front before we even move in. Is this the case?

[Charlie]

Ellie wrote:

Thanks for the advice. We have now been told that all landlords require you to pay 3 months rent, agency fee and a deposit up front before we even move in. Is this the case?

I don’t think so, it’s all negotiable and on a case by case basis. If you can avoid an agency, you won’t pay an agency fee. If you have to pay an agency fee you can negotiate the price down in many cases. Most landlords will want a 3-12 month contract and at least 3 months of rent upfront but each case will be slightly different.

[Sascha]

The West is not bad at all, you have to see where though, close to Line 2? Close to Line 3 incoming, if you stay that long? Is it within or outside of the Second Ring Road? There are some good spots over there, including the city’s only Metro, which is an awesome spot to stock up a new house.

The landlord thing is not bullshit, it is common to pay three to even six months up front, one month deposit and agency fee. Naturally we all try and get the best deal – no agency fee, three months max up front – but don’t pay for something you haven’t seen yet.

[Rick in China]

Sascha is definitely right about this:

but don’t pay for something you haven’t seen yet

The problem is you’re coming from somewhere else….so that’s not always an option. It may be worth getting here early and spending the extra per-month cost staying somewhere while you scout out a few apartments right off the bat, rather than buying into something you haven’t seen – the payoff in terms of daily happiness may be worth it 😀 I haven’t any experience with but often posted about here is hakka homes, maybe a week or two there while you check out several apartment options before making a choice is the best bet.

[Author]

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