Can a family of 3 live off of 1600 RMB a month in Beijing?

We are up for living in a small apartment with little amenities. We don't need much: our own western style bathroom with warm water, and preferable 1-2 bedroom instead of a studio.|||1600RMB is kinda low even in China standard. I suggest you try to save up and plan your budget carefully|||That would be a little difficult. That's low income for one person in china, let alone 3 people. It can be done though. You'll have to live in the cheaper part of town where the buildings are older and you'll have to take a bus to get to the main part of the city. Don't indulge in any western comforts and cook for yourselves everyday. Also, buy your groceries in the open markets instead of the large supermarkets. Go to the local parks for recreation and you can all use antennas for tv instead of cable. Hand washing clothes will save money on electricity and water too. Buy a transit card as soon as you get there and that will save you money as well. Bargain for everything you buy and make friends with the store owner so they remember you and won't cheat you later. Beijing is a pretty expensive city though, you won't have too much money to see the sites or taste the food.


Make sure you set aside money for your visas as well. They might end up being your whole month's income.|||Yes you can, but it will be difficult, as Beijing is one of the most expensive places in China. If you do want to live in Beijing it would be best to find an apartment in the suburbs of the city. Also you should buy your daily needs from an "open market" on the street like many locals do. Public transport is fairly cheap. People also don't drink the tab water, so you either have to drink bottled water or boil your own water to save costs.


It can be done, but its a tough road to walk down. Good luck!


Also it would be very helpful if not advisable to learn some Mandarin before you venture out on your journey.|||Beijing


Beijing, also known as Jing is one of the six famous cities in China and enjoys a history that dates back to well over 3000 years. As the capital city of China, it represents the economic, political, cultural, educational, and diplomatic center of the whole country. After the birth of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), Beijing began a period of rapid development. Currently, examples of Beijing's development can be seen in the construction of mo...


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Or email:web@travelevery.com|||You'll have to live life like the locals if you plan to use that little.





EDIT: How do I know? I lived in Shanghai as a child before and I still remember something interesting the nanny my family hired told me once: To rent a regular apart designed for locals would cost around 1000 RMB/month.|||No way!





Some Chinese people maybe can do that cause they stay with their families and don't pay rent and food. Even for a normal worker pay is seldom less then 2000 in the city. 1600 for a family in the city is well below the poverty line.





Have you considered a shag in a rural area?|||Rent of 1600 a month is kind of low. I know you have to pay rent for a 2 bedroom apartment for at least this amount of money couple years ago. Beijing is a expensive city even for Americans.|||depends, if you`re really want live a normal life in beijing for a month, then I would say that would more than 3000 RMB, especially you come here first time, you have to buy plenty stuff and rent a apartment.|||You'll make a living, but not a very good one, average income of people in Beijing are like 2500 RMB a month, so you guys will have to scrap and work to make a living!|||Seriously! No you can't do it!





Right off.....you say your own western style bathroom? Then forget it! You would have to live on less than most people here, and they usually share a Chinese style bathroom.|||I hate to say it but no, you can not live off 1600 rmb a month and still rent a apartment using that money...|||That's about normal in China, average income.|||No, its impossible!


A decent pair of jeans would cost u 400 RMB there..so u can imagine.