Family of 3 + 2 Dogs Arriving in August

21POSTS

14 years ago

Yes, that's right! A family of 3 + 2 dogs are making our way from Cairo, Egypt to Beijing, China.

The change of pace will be completely different as well as the culture shock. We are looking for a 2 bedroom apartment in the Chaoyang District. I was told (my a relator) that is I want to live in the Eastern (I think) part of the district I am looking at almost 40,000RMB a month on rent.

Let's be honest, I will not and cannot afford that. I am looking at staying around the 5,000RMB/month rent. Is this something that is possible?

Another thing, I have read online that there are Islamic communities in the Chaoyang district...does anyone know about these?

As for bringing the dogs over, I heard that the quarantine period has been reduced from 1 month to 1 week. That's great news but wondered how (or if) I can get around these. One of our dogs is very old and we don't think she would survive that 1 week of stress. I was told that since she has tumors on her we could get a vet to write a note stating that she has medical issues that would be too difficult or outrageous for anyone other than us to deal with on a daily basis. She also could become aggressive and attack (but I don't want to tell them that unless absolutely necessary).

We look forward to the new home that awaits us...it will be a change that we are welcoming.

Thanks for any advice!

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Manlin ViP

1073POSTS

14 years ago

Forgot to ask what is your definition of islamic community? Do you mean foreign nationals? China consists of 56 ethnic groups, some of these are Muslim. The largest two ethnic groups of Chinese Muslims are the Hui and Uyghur.

The Hui look like the main Chinese ethnic group (Han).
The Uyghur look like Turks and thier written language is similar to pre-romanisation Turkish.

Neither group speak Arabic (with the exception of Salaam Alaykum).

Most will keep Hallal but most will drink alcohol. Thier women do not have to wear an abbaya (but then again neither do you in Egypt).

So if you meant Chinese muslims yes there are areas in the Chaoyang District with a large percentage of Hui / Uyghur.

gatorgal1632 Member

21POSTS

14 years ago

That's all information really good to know. The school I will be working at is No.6 North Road of East Fourth Ring Road
Chaoyang District. My son's school is 1/F, B Building, No.40 Liangmaqiao.Rd, Chaoyang District. From looking at the map they seem to be fairly close together, but I'm unsure.

I am also unsure of how close the metro is to the school...I'm really so confused about things. I want a nice place but don't want to pay that amount of money. The school is giving me a 4,000 RMB housing allowance (which is just a little lower than other schools around). I expect to pay around 5,200RMB but now it seems like I will be livign farther from the school than I originally expected.

Are the 4th and 5th ring roads spread far apart???

Sorry for so many questions but I am a type of person who likes everything planned before I come.

Manlin ViP

1073POSTS

14 years ago

Your son's Beanstalk is in the 21 Century hotel complex.

His school is nearer the 3rd Ring Road than the 4th Ring Road. At male walking speed I guestimate it as a 5 minute walk form Liangma Qiao Station to his school. (FYI it's on Line 10)

The Vet I mentioned before is not far from the school.

Your Beanstalk is in Upper East Side.

My memory fails me but the property next to Upper East Side (on the 4th Ring Road near Dongfang Bridge) should be nore or less in your budget range. I think it is called Kandu.

There is no subway near Upper East Side.

gatorgal1632 Member

21POSTS

14 years ago

I have been reading and learned that dogs can live inside the 5th ring road as long as they are registered to a home outside the 5th ring road. My school is trying to locate a house that will allow me to register my bigger pooch to.

Hopefully things will work out, we can find a furnished place and we will all be happy.

I'm still searching sooo hard to find an apartment for our requirements and in our price range.

aohearn21 Member

2POSTS

14 years ago

We are another family of three arriving at the end of July with two pugs. I am ready to hire a pet relocation specialist, but the price I have been quoted is $7,000 USD. If I fly into Shanghai, I can lower the cost to $4,700 USD but I can not quite figure out how to get from Shanghai to Beijing with the pugs! It would seem the train does not allow animals and I do not want to check my pugs in July in the cargo hold. Does anyone have any advice?

Manlin ViP

1073POSTS

14 years ago

@ aohearn21 Fly them directly to Beijing.

Your beloved canine quadrupeds will have to (officially) be in quarantine for 30 days. Are you planning on living in Shanghai for the quarantine period?

You could always hire a car and driver and drive from Shanghai to Beijing stopping every few hours for them to exercise - not sure where you would sleep though.

Manlin ViP

1073POSTS

14 years ago

@ gatorgal1632

I am not sure that the information you have been given is correct regarding having the dogs registered outside but living inside the 5th Ring Road.

Please do yourself a favour and call / email the ICVS - their information is normally up to date.

aohearn21 Member

2POSTS

14 years ago

#10

Manlin wrote:
@ aohearn21 Fly them directly to Beijing.

Your beloved canine quadrupeds will have to (officially) be in quarantine for 30 days. Are you planning on living in Shanghai for the quarantine period?

You could always hire a car and driver and drive from Shanghai to Beijing stopping every few hours for them to exercise - not sure where you would sleep though.

Thank you Manlin - By using this expensive pet relocation specialist and flying into Shanghai where they have a one week quarantine - it can be cut to one day at a private kennel facility that is very very nice. I would stay in Shanghai and then travel on to Beijing with the pugs.

I have been told if I fly into Tianjin, from Soul Korea - there is not a quarantine period. My problem with this option is that my pugs weigh about 7 kg and Korean Air has a 5 kg weight limit in the cabin. From July 1 - September 30, they will not permit pugs to fly with the baggage due to their snub noses......I am trying to get Korean Air to let them fly in the cabin - but I am not really hopeful so I am exploring other options. Maybe a private plane?????? Not even sure how to look into that option. I am getting ready to start a Blog; "The Adventures of Rosie and Lily as they seek entrance to their Motherland"

Manlin ViP

1073POSTS

14 years ago

#11

The expensice pet relo people can normally cut the quaratine in Beijing down to home quarantine. This though depends on the day oof the week and time of day that you arrive.

To the best of my recollections that is arrive on a weekday morning. The pet relo people will know the best way to miminimse the quarantine period.

But if Korean Air can flyt them into Tianjin then why not into Beijing?

lioralourie New member

9POSTS

13 years ago

#12

I have a friend going through the apartment process now. If you need subway, try Piao Home and Landscape (new subway stop under Piao Home apts) Jiangtai Xi Lu at Jiuxianqiao lu. There is a kindy that is good, near to Beanstalk and less expensive. My kid's old piano teacher (mylittlemozart.com) runs it and it's called Beijing2Fun I believe. I forget actually cos she now has two campuses. Join Beijing Mamas groups.yahoo.com/group/Beijing_mamas to get answers and advice in all these areas!! best, Liora p.s. I also live in Lido area. If you can live with "average" apartment you can get 2 br for 6000 or 7000. Nice apartment for 2 br in this (or any foreigner friendly area, with grocery, dry cleaner, close by) will run you more. You NEED CONVENIENCE. This is a huge city. Even getting your son over to Liangmaqiao lu believe me will be a very bad hassle daily. Maybe get an electric bike/trike? I got on from bikesbeijing.com or go to the guy on Jiuqianxiao lu, he maybe can order what you want if you get a photo on Alibaba .com or something. Bubble bikes are pretty cool too but higher priced. My 3 wheel trike was 4k from bikesbeijing.com (email them the photo and they'll make an online ad you can check out with)

lioralourie New member

9POSTS

13 years ago

#13

Kiki Pet relocation is mentioned highly
there is an online blog about relocating your pet. ICVS has good info at their website (international Center for Vet Services) too icvsasia.com I think.