Best Places to Live in China as an Expat

China has been a popular choice for expats in recent years. With its excellent economic expansion, it provides citizens with a wide range of options. When moving to China on your own, you may be wondering where the greatest areas to reside are in the country, as opposed to being transferred by your employer.

In spite of China being a massive nation, expats tend to focus on the top cities in China while looking for a new home. Chinese cities range widely in size, from large metropolises to more rural villages, so it's easy to choose the ideal location for your needs.

Shanghai

Shanghai has long been a Tier 1 city, a major tourist destination, an international hub, a prominent business center, and one of China's greatest places to live. With a population of 24.8 million in 2020, it is also China's most populated metropolis. Additionally, it is home to the world's first commercial maglev railway line as well as an extensive metro system.

The old French Concession, the town's European-looking sector managed by the French from 1849 to 1946, is one of the city's most well-known neighborhoods. Shanghai's shoreline, the Bund, and the Nanjing Road retail area are all worth a visit. Shanghai's City God Temple and Yu Gardens are popular attractions for both visitors and locals.

World-class restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, and shopping can all be found in Shanghai. However, the expense of living in Shanghai is comparable to that of other prominent international locations. The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city's core is $1,300 per month.

This means you'll be exposed to a wide range of weather conditions, from blistering heat to icy winds. Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are all prevalent in Shanghai's air, making it a polluted city.

Hangzhou

Hangzhou is one of the most recent additions to China's Tier 1 cities. In 2020, it will be home to 11.9 million people, making it one of China's most populous cities. As an export hub for eastern central China, Hangzhou is well-served by train links to Shanghai and Ningbo. Xi (West) Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Poets and artists have always been drawn to the lake, and Marco Polo was enamored by its beauty. As a result of its natural beauty, Hangzhou attracts a lot of visitors. China's famed longjing (dragon well) green tea was born here, and the city is known for its silk industry.

Zhejiang University, one of the city's many prestigious educational institutions, is located in Hangzhou. Zhejiang University's First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Medical School is one of the top 100 hospitals in China. Another option is North American International Hospital of Hangzhou, where physicians and nurses speak English.

Starting at roughly RMB 4,000 ($626 USD), a one-bedroom apartment is available for rent. There is no excessively extended period of time in which to spend your time in Hangzhou throughout the summer. It may become really cold in the winter!

Beijing

Obviously, Beijing is China's political, cultural, and educational hub. Beijing is one of China's most exciting cities because of its unique blend of ancient and contemporary architecture. Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China are among the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in and around Beijing. Beyond its rich cultural legacy, Beijing is well-known for its delectable food. "Peking Duck" and other delights were invented here.

Beijing, China's second-largest metropolis, with a population of around 21 million people. In spite of its size, the city features an efficient transportation infrastructure that includes numerous metro lines, buses, bike paths and electric scooter rentals.

Summers are warm and winters are frigid in Beijing. Even though Beijing's air quality is still a problem, new anti-pollution initiatives have lowered dangerous PM2.5 particles.

When it comes to getting medical treatment in Beijing, you have a wide selection of options from which to pick. Check out this list of the finest hospitals for expats in China for further details.

Costs for renting a home here are on par with those of other major cities. RMB 7,500 ($US1,175) is the cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center.