Hi All,
First time visitor to these forums & looking for some advice & help please.

It's looking very much like me & my husband will be moving to Beijing in the near future and I'm looking for lots of information on expat life, housing, all sorts really. Our grown up children aren't coming with us, so don't need information on schooling etc, but on healthcare, cost of living, expat events, how to get involved etc.

Can anyone on these forums recommend any really good websites and/or forums where I can get the above mentioned information that is specifically aimed at expats rather than tourists? The tourist ones have been helpful but obviously don't contain the specific information we need.

Many thanks
Lady1964

Off the top of my head:

thebeijinger
weliveinbeijing.com
p1

I have to say, I was only familiar with thebeijinger. Just looked up 'weliveinbeijing' and it seems to be quite a travesty of a website: more for the myspace generation and filled with people who don't like to write in full sentences.

Google was unable to help with "P1", so no more informed with regards to that one.

tb

Most regulars to this forum actually live in China (or even in Beijing). Taking the tight definition of "expatriate", I think only a few are, including me. We are all happy to answer any questions as far as we can.

Most important for you should be getting in touch with expats (more than one, if possible) of your company that already are in Beijing for a longer period of time. They will have specific information on the procedures, like housing, transport, allowances, how to get involoved and keep updated with the latest happenings, etc. and are -usually- very eager to share and help.
Your company should also have a written guide for newbies to China, I assume.

There is a British Chamber of Commerce in China , in BJ.

Also the AmCham-China site has some business info that could be helpful.

BJ has 22 million people now, & unfortunately nearly 5 million cars. So be patient with traffic, or learn about the subway system.

In the last couple of years, thebeijinger.com has gone downhill as far as usefulness, IMO. Now more oriented to entertainment for the 20-30 year old set. However, on the forums, there are some nuggets of wisdom. I suggest you start with a check of the International Newcomers' Network website:
http://www.innbeijing.org/
They have a welcome coffee every month for new expats. But you can contact them when your move is confirmed and imminent. This book is a very useful guide to living in Beijing. I'm not sure if it can be sourced outside Beijing but you can check it out the Immersion Guides site. Most expats keep one of these around, as that is the intended audience (not tourists).

Beijing is great for expats, especially trailing spouses as there is a pretty good community spirit, lots of different groups to get involved with (also working depending on your credentials and initiative) and things are accessible and not snobbish. But there do tend to be different "crowds" that have somewhat different mindsets, access to resources, and information networks. If you and husband come, which group best describes you?
a) diplomatic
b) corporate sent to China on fixed assignment
c) own company/entrepreneur, open-ended stay
d) teaching (university level or Chinese corporate training)
e) teaching (all other)
f) not employed or freelancing (artist, writer, etc)

If you are in group c or f (and maybe d, e), then you will have to be more self-reliant on things like advice on housing, health care, etc. Groups a and b pretty much have the bumps all smoothed out for them already, and have plenty of cash to maximize options.

deleted, doublepost

Hi All,
Thanks very much for the information you've given, particularly from Jeijei, that is so useful. We would fall into category b so would hope my husband's employer would be able to help with a lot of stuff.
It seems we can't order the immersion guide over the net, at least not the quick look I've had but it looks like it will be really useful and should we get the go-ahead, it'll be something we would buy straight away.
I've looked at the beijinger website and agree with you, some of the threads are really quite old, but by spending quite a bit of time, I'm sure I'll find some useful information.
Thanks again, I really appreciate your time and thanks Jeijei for the very kind offer of contacting you should we need to as I will indeed be a trailing spouse - great terminology by the way
Lady1964

Sadly there isn't a good Beijing-based forum compared to Shanghai. As you noted the forum threads on thebeijinger are generally old with very few live discussion. The Beijingcafe mailing list isn't a whole lot better, it seems to now revolve around ayis, people selling their stuff, light advertising - very limited by way of actual discussion.

No forum resource is a substitute for in-person networking. Best thing is to try to find 2-3 friends as soon as possible through some sort of common interest venue--and preferably people who have been in Beijing for at least a couple of years or so. Beijing really operates more on an "I know someone who knows someone who knows where to find/how to do X, Y, or Z." Having at least one good Chinese friend is invaluable but harder to do if you aren't working yourself and have few ways to naturally make this friend.

Most new arrivals would benefit by immediately picking a couple of activities per week that require human contact (uh, not shopping), and dive in headfirst.

Thanks again Jeijei, your help is really appreciated.
I've registered with a couple of sites I've found that look to have decent forums and information guides in readiness for when (potentially) we go, which could be within the next 6 weeks.

I intend to join groups which interest me and I am going to look into the possibility of doing a TEFL qualification as well as I used to work at our local college delivering life-skills sessions to 16-18 year olds.

Keep the help & advice coming please, it's extremely useful!
Thanks again ^

You could definitely parlay this interest and experience into something very fulfilling in Beijing. Possibly even remunerative.

Hi All,
Just to say thanks for the advice and suggestions, I've found a site called InterNations that is community based with seperate sections on Expat Q&A's, jobs, events and all sorts.
My husband got official notification of his new job today and we anticipate moving to Beijing within the next 6 weeks so I will be trawling these forums and possibly asking you lovely helpful members some questions!
Thanks again ^

Being a group B expat like your husband, I can say that speaking to other expats from your company about the process and life in BJ is invaluable. The relo consultant you have from your company may be great, but likely they have never been an expat themself or may not have even traveled to China.

I'm a US employee on assignment in Shanghai and my relo consultant was based in Brazil - go figure.

While your company probably has contracted with a relo service in BJ to process immigration, goods shipment, and housing they will only give you standard lists. The other expats can really tell you where to live for social life vs a closer commute for your husband, etc.

I have a small guide I'm writing for other expats in my office coming over to China. If you PM me, I can email you the file. It's still incomplete, but better than nothing.

Good luck with your move. We're in a sl. different boat (academic post, only non-ethnic Chinese in my department) but happy to help in whatever way.

tb