Accommodation in Xiamen
Xiamen, located in Fujian Province in China, is one of southern China's most picturesque coastal cities and has been a popular summer getaway for Chinese nationals as well as expats. The city gained popularity among the expat community due to its proximity to Taiwan, friendly international atmosphere, unique cultural heritage, and stunning beaches. Xiamen is home to close to four million people.
Important:
Following the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the recent political events, a lot of expats have left Xiamen (and China). Unfortunately, the country still enforces strict anti-COVID entry requirements, so the majority of expats who left the country have been unable to come back. Because of this, there are now fewer expats living in Xiamen compared to just a few years ago. While this may change in the near future, it's best to be aware of this fact before planning your move to the city.
If you want to settle in Xiamen, finding a place to live should not be a big problem. Before starting your accommodation hunt, take a few minutes to get acquainted with the city's districts and neighborhoods.
Which are the best neighborhoods for expats in Xiamen?
Xiamen is divided into ten districts, including Siming, Huli, Haicang, Jimei, Tong'an, Xiang'an, among others. These districts each have commercial, industrial, and residential neighborhoods.
Huli and Siming are the city's most active central neighborhoods as these host not only industries and businesses but also numerous banks, fast food restaurants, shopping malls, etc. Siming is also home to some of the city's most famous urban beaches: Guanyin Mountain Beach and Huangcuo Beach.
Jimei is also popular among expatriates. This area is known for its variety of places of interest and offers an abundance of leisure activities.
One of the most touristic areas in the city is the island of Gulangyu. It is a pedestrian-only island off the coast of Xiamen with an area of just two square kilometers and a population of under 20,000 people. While the island is only an 8-minute ferry ride away from the mainland, settling here may not be the best idea because of higher rent costs, limited amenities, and many tourists visiting the island in the summer months.
What types of accommodation are available in Xiamen?
If you intend to make a short stay in Xiamen, you can opt for a hotel or an "apart hotel" in the first instance. Due to the city's popularity as a seaside resort, you will also find a nice selection of family-owned bed-and-breakfasts, which tend to be much cheaper to rent in the off-season.
But if you wish to stay longer, you will need to look for something more stable: a studio, a bigger apartment, or even a house or villa — depending on your family situation. Rent in Xiamen is relatively cheaper than in first-tier cities, so you may have quite a nice selection of options.
You will find many different accommodation types in Xiamen: from standard apartments to more traditional ones — as well as villas, studios, and townhouses. While the city has no shortage of newly-built modern high-rise residential complexes, there is also a great number of old traditional buildings. Note with a traditional Chinese-style apartment, there are a few things you need to be aware of. First, if you rent an apartment in an older building, your place will most likely have a squat toilet. This is something that may take some adjustment. Still, apartments with a squat toilet are generally cheaper, so the adjustment may be worth the savings.
Chinese apartments generally have rather small rooms. The kitchen area is also quite miniature. Most kitchens in China won't have an oven or a dishwasher. Most apartments are equipped with gas, but in some cases, you may need to use an electric cooker. You won't find bathtubs in most apartments in Xiamen— unless you are renting something very expensive. Most apartments come with balconies. However, balconies can be quite small, and most families in China use them for drying clothes and storage rather than as a place to enjoy the views from.
Your choice of a place will mainly depend on your budget and the length of your stay in the city.
Rent prices in Xiamen
Rent prices in Xiamen, like in the rest of the country, generally vary according to the neighborhood, type of accommodation, and comfort level. A sea-view two-bedroom apartment can be yours from about RMB 5,500 a month, while rent in central commercial areas for an apartment will be higher. If you want to go all out and splash on a villa, the rent is likely to put you back from RMB 15,000 yuan to RMB 40,000 a month. Budget options are getting a studio or sharing an apartment with like-minded locals or expats.
How to pay utility bills in Xiamen?
How you pay your utilities in China depends on the arrangement you have with your landlord. Generally, utilities in China work on a pre-paid basis. You will need to use a special rechargeable card to top off your balance at a utility meter, bank, and other locations. You can check with your landlord about the nearest locations to pay your utilities. Make sure not to lose your utility cards, as these can be quite difficult to replace.
If you find this system to be confusing, you may also be able to arrange an agreement with your landlord: they will pay for utilities on your behalf, and your utility bill will be added to your monthly rent.
If you live in a gated residential community with a management office or concierge, you may also be able to pay your utilities there. This will make things much easier, especially if you are new to China and have trouble navigating the local system.
How to find accommodation in Xiamen?
You can start your apartment hunt in Xiamen online. Check out websites like Anjuke, 58.com, etc. It's also a good idea to check out expat groups like Xiamen Expat China and others. You may find interesting rent options advertised by fellow expats, or you can simply ask for advice in your accommodation search.
Most apartment ads will indicate how big the apartment is, where it is located, rent conditions (deposit amount) and whether the ad has been posted by a real estate agent or the owner. If you are interested in taking a look at the place, message the post's author with your contact details. In China, the most popular way to communicate online is by using the WeChat app. The app has over 900 million users and is the number one tool you will need for your everyday life in China. WeChat is primarily a messenger app, but you can also use it for shopping online, paying for goods and services via the QR code, and more.
Once you get in touch with a real estate agent or your potential new landlord, they will probably ask you for your WeChat ID. This is why it's a good idea to download the app and learn how to use it before you start your apartment hunt in Xiamen.
Another way to look for apartments in the city is by visiting different districts and neighborhoods. Once you find the location you like, you should easily find a real estate agency office nearby. The agency will probably specialize in the accommodation offers in the area, so you will have a better chance of renting an apartment in the area you prefer. If you're looking to rent in gated residential communities, you may also ask the “baoan” (security guard) for any available rentals. The baoan can put you in touch with landlords renting out apartments in the complex.
Important:
Renting accommodation directly from the landlord will help you avoid extra costs such as the agent's finders fee. However, if you're new to Xiamen, don't speak Chinese and are not yet familiar with how things work in the housing market, it will be in your best interest to rent an apartment through a real estate agent. This way, you will have someone experienced representing your interests. Plus, in case of a dispute with your landlord, you will be able to turn to your real estate agent to help resolve it.
Lease agreements in Xiamen
There are several things you will need to pay attention to when signing the lease agreement in Xiamen.
- Most rental agreements are written in Chinese. Some of these will have a shorter English version attached or a translation line under each line in Chinese. If your rental agreement is written entirely in Chinese, get a translator to provide you with an English copy. Never sign any contract in Chinese if you don't understand the meaning of every clause. Even if your contract comes with an English translation, it may be best to have a translator give it another look just to make sure that the original translation is accurate.
- If you are new to Xiamen, it's best to have a Chinese friend or colleague present when you sign the lease. This way, you will be able to easily address any issues that may come up during the signing. Your Chinese friend or colleague will also have a better understanding of what to look out for when signing the lease.
- When you sign the rental agreement in China, there will be an inventory of all the items in the apartment attached to the contract. This includes furniture, household appliances, decorations, and so on. Make sure to give the apartment a proper walk-through and check if all the items on the list are there. If you notice that there is anything missing, let the landlord or the real estate agent know. This is the best way to avoid any future disputes with the landlord when you have to move out.
- Make sure to check the apartment for any damage or wear. If you notice any imperfections, it's a good idea to take a picture of them and show them to the landlord or real estate agent before signing the lease.
- Note that in most cases, you will be asked to pay a two-month deposit upfront when you rent an apartment. If you are renting a place via a real estate agent, you will also need to pay the agent's fee, which normally amounts to half of a month's rent. Make sure to keep your deposit receipts till the end of your lease. You will need them to get your deposit back at the end of your stay.
