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Top 4 Differences between American & Chinese Housing
With such densely populated cities, apartments in China are probably quite different from the familiar for expats. Since there are so many options, it helps to get recommendations from a trusted source and inquire directly with the property owner for availability. Knowing what to expect in a Chinese apartment is helpful when embarking on your search!
1. Splashing Showers
Apartment bathrooms in China are generally built as a multi-use room. The small room usually has a tile floor and the first thing many expats will notice is that there is no bathtub or shower door. Some apartments will have a bar and curtain installed to help contain the water, but it is not uncommon for the showerhead to be exposed to the rest of the room. Remember to keep any electronics, like hair dryers or electric clippers, stowed away where they will stay dry.
2. Kitchen Appliances
Nearly all Chinese food is cooked using a stovetop, so ovens, microwaves, and toasters are typically not included in apartments. Small appliances can be purchased for the countertop, but it may also be fun for expats to experiment with traditional Chinese cooking techniques, like using a wok over an open flame and steaming in bamboo baskets. Chinese kitchens are quite small, so if you plan to purchase an additional appliance, it is wise to consider counter space when considering available temporary housing options.
3. Laundry Time
Although this won't come as a surprise to Europeans, Americans will be interested to learn that Chinese apartments rarely have clothes dryers. They may, however, have a small outdoor area that can be used for drying clothes. Be sure to pick up some clothespins or a drying rack on your first shopping trip.
4. Firm Furniture
Chinese people generally prefer harder surfaces when it comes to chairs, sofas, and beds. For Americans, it may be more comfortable to buy a mattress topper and cushions for chairs.
Dwellworks Living: Global Solutions for Corporate Accommodations
Dwellworks Living is committed to providing our clients and their employees with the best possible corporate housing and serviced accommodations experience. With a global network of property partners, a tri-regional team of customer experience and supply chain professionals, and a wide range of services for global mobility and travel customers, Dwellworks Living can provide the perfect corporate housing solution for any need or budget.
Dwellworks Living is the global corporate housing solution of Dwellworks, an award-winning, business-to-business provider of global mobility and business travel services. As a global leader in corporate housing and serviced accommodations solutions, Dwellworks Living is uniquely positioned to meet the temporary living needs of businesses and their employees who are relocating or traveling on short-, medium- or extended-stays. With 60,000 high-quality professionally managed properties in over 125 countries worldwide, Dwellworks Living is the preferred housing solutions partner of many Fortune 1000 and leading relocation management companies.
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Whether you have corporate housing needs for an individual employee or a large team, Dwellworks Living can provide the serviced accommodations solutions you need anywhere in the world to ensure a safe and successful stay. Please contact us to learn more or visit our Properties page to begin your search for global corporate housing accommodations.