New York might be the city that never sleeps, but Beijing is the city that never stops drilling. One of the most … exciting … experiences of being a baby-mom here is figuring out how to deal with the soul-piercing drilling happening (what seems to be right outside your bedroom wall … or within your skull, who can tell?) right at the very moment your colicky baby finally fell asleep. But that is only one of the superpowers that you will acquire whilst living here.

As an expat baby-mom in Beijing, I am always kept fit by my camera-phone-jumping routine. Oh, you haven’t heard of it? It’s pretty rad, and super easy. Whenever strangers attempt to stick their camera in either of my babies’ faces, I jump in front of them! Bonus points if you simultaneously whip out your own phone to record them recording you.

Then there is my new superpower, the Temperature Tingles! The what, now? Well, it is like spidey senses, except I can sense when someone is about to grab my baby daughter’s leg to check whether she is dressed warm enough. Being the daring mom that I am, I am constantly taking my baby outside without socks, knowing full well that in China, the 30-degree weather could lead to her getting hypothermia. I guess I just like living life on the edge.

The Central Heating Headache: If you are fortunate enough to live in an apartment building that has central heating, you know how wonderful it is. Sure, it saves money, but it also builds endurance! It is always turned on long after it has gotten cold, and stays on long after it has warmed up again, and it is almost scorching enough to justify turning on your AC as a counterattack. The most fun part is, of course, getting your kicking, wriggling baby or toddler from wearing just a vest to the 20,000 layers they’ll need for the sub-zero temperatures before going outside. And then if you are going into any mall, you’ll have the pleasure of peeling all those layers off again as you jump between flaming hot and icy cold. If putting on and taking off layers from uncooperative children were an Olympic sport, I’d be a medalist.

My temperature skills are, however, only rivaled by my innate ability to judge the pollution level by how many buildings I can see in the distance. Who needs an AQI reader when you can tell whether it is safe to take the babies outside by whether you can stare directly into the sun?

Being here has also refined my mosquito swatting skills to “Ninja” level. No matter how many repellent stickers you have plastered on your baby, the mosquitoes in Beijing are relentless on a nuclear level. Nothing deters them! Except, of course, waving a hand-held fan around your child as if she were the Queen of Sheba. Bonus points if yours is a palm-leaf fan. The only level above Ninja is, of course, Shushu-Ninja level!

It is a good thing that phones in China come with such large memory capacity, because any expat mom will know that the vast number of cute photos of your babies on your phone are only at risk of being surpassed by the insane amount of undeleted screenshots for translation. There was once a time in my life when there was a fine line between taking a screenshot or locking my phone and adjusting the volume. Not anymore, baby! I can now take 100 screenshots per split second that will forever remain on my phone … or until our descendants discover them in an archaeological excavation.

Sometimes I reminisce about the days when I hyperventilated at the thought of being hooted at by the car behind us if I didn’t get out of the DiDi fast enough. I have instead developed a stare that is the mom equivalent of the “baby onboard” sticker, a stare that practically dares the driver behind us to hoot while I unload and unfold the double stroller, into which I need to “wrestle” my two monkeys, three bags, four half-eaten snacks, five stray toys, and a sense of humor.

In the end, the constant drilling, the temperature patrols and the linguistic acrobatics aren’t just annoyances; they’re the forge in which the expat baby-mom’s superpower is tempered. And while it’s endlessly entertaining to complain about them, the truth is, they come with a hidden, priceless reward. We are raising our children in a city of breathtaking contrasts, where ancient hutongs sit in the shadow of glittering skyscrapers. Our kids are learning flexibility, resilience and a deep, intuitive understanding that the world is filled with different kinds of wonderful. For the chance to see this sprawling, maddening, magnificent city through their wide, curious eyes, I’d jump in front of a thousand cameras and swat a million mosquitoes. The chaos is the price of admission, but the show … the vibrant, unforgettable, daily show of life here … is absolutely worth it.

Images: Janita Shahsavari

Undoubtedly, the essential tasks for any expat moving to the capital include downloading WeChat, securing accommodation, and hiring a domestic helper – your ayi. In Beijing, it’s almost the norm for residents with the means to enlist the services of an ayi, whether on a part-time or full-time basis, live-in or not. The rationale behind this practice is the acknowledgment that living and working in a bustling city like Beijing can be physically draining and, if finances allow, outsourcing domestic help becomes a practical choice.

To keep the community well-informed about the evolving landscape of domestic help, we annually conduct our Ayi Survey. While friends’ experiences can provide insights, our survey eliminates guesswork and ensures anonymity, presenting a comprehensive view of the current ayi scene in Beijing.

A variety of ayis exist, each with distinct job descriptions ranging from cleaning only or cooking plus cleaning to childcare for older kids or full-time baby care. Their training and expected salaries also differ.

However, before delving into these details, the first crucial step is the ayi interview. To assist in this process, we’ve compiled some of the most commonly asked questions to guide you.

1. Find out why she’s leaving her current family. Is it because they’re moving or is it because of an altercation? It’s great to have a previous employer’s recommendation, but since that’s not always possible, ask as many questions as you can to get a full picture.

2. Does the ayi speak English? If so, how well? Always confirm their language level rather than accepting a simple “yes” or “no.”

3. Has she worked with foreign families before? If so, where were they from? Sometimes agencies will classify all foreigners together, regardless of cultural differences.

4. Is she certified in CPR or first-aid? If so, for what age? Infant CPR is very different from adult CPR.

5. Be specific about what her duties are. Never assume that just because you’ve had an ayi who voluntarily did laundry for the family, all ayis will.

6. How old were the kids she previously cared for? How many families has she worked with?

7. Will she work on weekends? If she’s not living with you, will it be a problem if you need her to stay late from time to time?

8. If you have pets, does she have experience working for a family with pets or does she have any allergies?

9. Is she trustworthy? Was she recommended by someone you know? If not, can she provide you with a copy of her ID card and health check certificate? If she can’t or won’t then, it’s a definite red flag!

10. If you’re planning on hiring a live-in ayi, ask her specifically about what she’s expecting her living situation to be. If you can, do the interview at home so she can also ask questions about your family’s lifestyle.

The Survey Results Are In!

Let’s jump right in with the biggest questions that everyone asks. Where do you find the most reliable ayis? Sure, there are agencies, but the most trusted source will always be recommendations from friends. There are groups on WeChat specifically for ayi recommendations. People tend to add and leave those as their needs change, so the best way to join one is to ask in the Jingkids Parenting group. To join that, add TBJHelper on WeChat.

Now, on to the next big question. How much do you pay your ayi?

The range varies between less than RMB 4,000 to over RMB 8,000 a month for one good reason: whether the ayi is live-in or part-time.

So, for those who only occasionally use an ayi’s help, most households pay their ayi between RMB 40 and RMB 50 per hour.

So, what does an ayi do at home? Are you asking too much of yours or is she doing the bare minimum? Here’s how the Beijing community voted.

Click here to see the full list of ayi poll results.

Images: Bing

Our expat children lead such very different lives than we did at their age. They do everything earlier, faster, and more intensely than we did growing up, and most of their passports have seen more action than ours did by the same age.

While that’s all well and good, it can lead to a disconnect in their identity regarding where their home truly lies, and who they really are. Familial and social relationships are key to ensuring our Third Culture Kids remain connected, no matter where they are in the world. In the absence of face-to-face interaction, we’ll settle for virtual interaction thanks to modern technology!

1. Regular Group Chats 

Family and friend group chats (WeChat, WhatsApp) are a must when you’re an expat family. Make sure to keep it updated with photos, videos, or voice messages – whichever your kid prefers – at least on a weekly basis. Have them recap their day/week, perform the latest Tik Tok dance moves they’ve picked up, sing the new Sam Smith song or recite some phrases in Mandarin to keep things fun!

2. Schedule A Video Call 

Ask the family to decide when in the week you could all carve out 15 minutes to call the grandparents. Usually, before or after dinner time on the weekends might work well, if the time difference isn’t too great. Try to do the same with your kids’ besties who are no longer in the same country. Penning the set time and date in a shared calendar (either physical or digital) will help you remember!

3. You’ve Got Mail 

Postal services may not work the way we want them to here, but that doesn’t mean you can’t send a holiday card or two when the special occasion rolls around! Former editor Cindy Marie Jenkins recommends some virtual card services that let you upload your own photos to personalize the e-card in this article here.

Keeping connections alive will help ground our nomadic kids in the love and support of the community they have created, even if they are spread out across continents. Friends don’t always have to come and go, as long as we put in some effort to keep them in our hearts and minds.

KEEP READING: Parenting Third Culture Kids: Who Are TCKs and How Can You Help Yours?

Images: Pexels

The life of an expat trailing spouse is amazing and frustrating at the same time. It can take you to the most amazing places around the world, where you’ll get to see things and meet people that others back home have only seen on TV. But at times it can also be frustrating enough to make you want to rip out your hair. Sometimes the problem is not understanding the local language, other times it could be the sheer loneliness of not knowing anyone. But whether it’s the good times or bad, you can’t deny that expat life is full of adventures.

We at jingkids had the privilege of working with Pearl Kasujja-Van de Velde during her time in Beijing. The Uganda native has lived all over the world, and we’re so excited to share that she and her longtime friend Julie Epenu-Robert have put their adventures into a book.

From Journeys to Words: Wobbly Tales of Expat Lives tells the tales of these expat wives that many of us can relate to, with a sense of humor that resonates through Pearl and Julie’s unique way with words.

Meet the authors

Pearl Kasujja-Van de Velde:
I was born in Uganda, in a large family of ten. In my teen years and early 20s, I dabbled in modeling before I met my husband and we started our wandering expat existence. Together, we have two daughters. I have a degree in international relations and I’m involved in several social projects.

Julie Epenu-Robert:
I was born and raised in Uganda until 2004 when my then-boyfriend (now husband) whisked me into a nomadic existence abroad. Ever since, I have called seven countries “Home.” I am currently an islander living in the Comoro Islands with my husband and our two children. I have an MBA and I own and run a handmade business.

How did you two meet and where did the idea for the book come from?

Pearl:
When I set off on the trailing path, I often got a barrage of questions from friends and family about the places we were relocating to – messages that I couldn’t individually answer because of

1. the sheer magnitude of things I have to absorb when we move to a new place, and
2. I have way too many friends and family! (I’m not going to WhatsApp over 200 people back and forth…)

So, I reasoned, what better way to avoid the thousands of messages and emails about every one of my travel/ relocation experiences, than to put it all in a book that everyone can read and enjoy. And further still, why not include tales from others who have had similar experiences to mine. Variety is the spice condiment of life, right? So, in came my dear friend Julie, whose expat journey is very identical to mine, albeit in different locations.

Julie:
Pearl and I met in Kampala about 22 years ago when we both joined Uganda’s first modeling agency – Ziper Models. A year or so after we met, we both coincidentally met our future husbands, and – again, coincidentally – we both started this expat journey at exactly the same time. Pearl was moving to Zambia with her man and I was moving to Zimbabwe with mine.

Is there one chapter that’s your absolute favorite?

Pearl:
All chapters have taken me back to some fond memories (as well as some memories I’d rather forget) so it’s difficult to choose one. However, I loved remembering the people we met along the way (Chapter 6).

Julie:
Every chapter in the book is special, but the one that really stands out for me is the sixth chapter, which talks about the friendships we’ve created along this journey and how they have positively impacted us.

What’s the most unbelievable expat life experience that you’d like to share with our readers?

Pearl:
There’s not one particular experience for me that stands out. All the collective cultural experiences we’ve experienced have been incredibly rewarding, from trying to grasp the esoteric Chinese language and navigating the incredibly rich Chinese culture, to trying to understand how the currency black market works in Beirut, Lebanon. All these life experiences have left me feeling incredibly lucky to be living this nomadic expat life.

Julie:
That would be Zimbabwe, the country that turned us into instant trillionaires! We were welcomed by hyper-inflation and an economy surviving by a thread that saw us carry bags, suitcases, and wheelbarrows of money – just enough to buy a few basic groceries like bread, sugar, and milk (if there was any available).

What are the best and worst things about being an expat?

Pearl:
The best thing is the people we meet. The worst is the complete disorientation and feeling of not belonging anywhere – after a while, we don’t know where “Home” is. That’s been an unyielding challenge for me. I have learned to “occupy” my days with small writing and consultancy projects, as well as taking short courses – on top of being a full-time mum.

The whole expat experience is wonderful, sometimes frustrating and stressful, but also exciting!

Julie:
While I appreciate the opportunity to travel, discover and immerse myself in new cultures and meet interesting people across the globe, not having a stable career path can be a challenge, especially as an expat spouse.
Quitting a promising career in my hometown to follow love changed my professional trajectory even though it was all worth it because we have grown as a family in more ways than you can imagine.

I eventually learned to embrace these constant changes with several “projects” to fill my days. Apart from being a mum, I have furthered my studies, done volunteer work, and I have started a small handmade business called AFRODASH as well as an organic skincare range called MELLOWSKIN.

Is there a country that you wish you could return to and live in all over again?

Pearl:
China (and no, I’m not saying this because this is a Chinese magazine). When we moved to China, the first few months were difficult because I was completely lost in translation (Mandarin is like brain surgery – gosh). After a year or so of living in Beijing, my Mandarin became pretty “ok” and I began to really enjoy this giant [metropolis]. Here, I met incredible people, saw mind-blowing development and tech advancement, traveled to some of the most beautiful cities and villages in the world, and tasted some of the best dishes.
I’d also happily return and live in China JUST for Taobao (if you know, you know – haha)!

Julie:
I have never really had the urge to return to any of the countries we have lived in. I guess this nomadic lifestyle teaches you to want to discover new places every time.

Obviously, all the countries we’ve lived in have their special qualities, but if I really had to choose, it would be Madagascar. I am fond of Madagascar not only for its warm and friendly people, its array of biodiversity, and natural beauty, but [also]for their skilled craftsmanship. In fact, it was over there that I developed a passion for handmade art.

It’s the place where I was the most involved with community service and friends, and we were able to travel numerous times within the island for local tourism and discovered amazing places.

Why should people be excited for your book?

Pearl & Julie:
The book is a good read for people who are struggling to find their place after relocating to an unknown country. It reveals the dynamics of life as an expat and showcases our personal experiences as expat spouses as well as our children in a third-world culture. It unveils our struggles, successes and failures while we navigate our way in strange countries and cultures, create new relationships, and the work it takes to keep a family together despite the constant changes. We see our struggles through humor and also throw in some inspirational outlooks on expat life that many could relate to.

To get your hands on a copy of the book, scan the QR code below to buy it on Amazon.

Images: Pearl Kasujja-Van de Velde, Pexels

Tis’ the season…for office parties. While most of us smile politely while powering through the small talk and punch bowl, a few less aware colleagues make these events deliciously reminiscent of a Real Housewives episode.

Secret Santa fail

At last year’s secret Santa swap we all had to open our gifts in front of the rest of the office. I was gifted a…personal pleasure device. Thanks, Santa.

My secret Santa got me a pet snake…why?!

Spray that smelled like actual farts. Um, thanks?

Just had a baby, was given stretch mark lotion by a 22-year-old former bikini model.

The term “Open Bar” is not a challenge

I was put in charge of organizing the holiday office happy hour a few years ago and my budget was tight. In order to have an open bar instead of drink tickets, I opted to have simpler appetizers rather than a full spread. Bad move. One member of the team took full advantage of the bar and slurred directly into a live mic, “Who is the cheap *expletive* who wouldn’t spring for decent food?”

Everyone, please…It’s a work event. Stop after a drink or two! I’m in HR and we had a colleague who went way overboard with the nog one year. They got so drunk they couldn’t find the hotel bathroom and decided to relieve themselves in the lobby Christmas tree. I managed to keep them out of jail but needless to say they were politely asked to leave the project and return to our home country where, shocker, an exit interview was waiting.

Bad Santa

Several years ago my office hired an actor to dress up as Santa Claus for the employee’s children. He spent most of the party ignoring the kids and aiming holiday innuendo at the moms. It was getting really uncomfortable when a little girl felt enough was enough and screamed at him, “You are a bad Santa! No cookies for you!”

Impressing the boss

My wife and I don’t do the whole Santa thing. Our kids know the presents come from us and that Santa is a nice idea and a fun tradition but is not a real person. We probably should have told them that some people do believe, however, and that that’s okay. One year we arrived at a casual family holiday party hosted at our VP’s home. When the family opened the door to welcome us my boss’s daughter excitedly informed my son “Santa is coming tonight! We get to meet him!”  My son promptly crushed all her hopes and dreams by stating matter-of-factly “That dude’s not real, duh!” It was an awkward evening after that.

A friend of mine was invited to have a holiday dinner with her husband’s colleagues. After several months of being a full-time stay-at-home-mom to a precocious toddler, she gleefully prepared for a “grown-up night out!” She bought a new dress, went to the gym, and obsessively boned up on current events to ensure she would have interesting small talk that didn’t involve pacifiers, diapers, or a Wiggles reunion tour. At dinner, she was seated next to the bosses’ boss and cheerfully put all her research to good use. As she eloquently spoke about world politics, sustainable fashion, and the climate crisis she noticed him starring at her with rapt attention. She was incredibly proud of how well she was holding the conversation until he remarked, “That’s all very interesting but would you mind if I cut my own steak?” She looked down and saw she had automatically been slicing his food into toddler-sized bites as she spoke.

Your turn, tell us your best holiday party “They said what?” moment below in the comments!

KEEP READING: No-Bake Cookies To Keep Santa Ho-Ho-Happy

Images: Canva and Unsplash

Beijing’s an urban jungle, and in any jungle, we need tools to survive and thrive. As urban jungle dwellers, we’ve managed to blend practicality with style, resulting in the modern bag. Here, form meets function, and what looks stylish and fashionable on the outside contains all our essential survival tools on the inside. Inspired by this, we ask expat parents each week, “What’s in your bag?” and get insights into which essentials we keep on hand when out and about in the capital city.

Eva Biehl is a German engineer who loves nature. Living in Beijing since summer 2020 together with her husband and son. She enjoys exploring life in China while working on the family’s eco-lifestyle, with an eye towards combining convenience, style, and sustainability on their joyful journey.

A beautiful day in the ShengLu vineyard

First aid kit: I started that when coming to China because I heard of the differences in applying first aid between Europe and China. Of course, you can improvise but I’d rather be prepared.

Reusable shopping bag: In case my son wants to buy a watermelon or any other case where somehow an extra bag is just what you need ;-).

Portable charger: I like to be prepared and then sometimes there are even places where you just don’t get those rental ones.

Paper napkins: Which I take from restaurants, if they were served but we did not use them up because otherwise, they would most probably throw them away. Usually this is just enough to keep my small stock going.

Water bottle: To drink or use with the paper napkins to wash down hands if necessary.

Pen and phone: Which I never go without!

“I love this bag because its style and color goes with everything and it’s just the perfect size to fit in what I need to go around the city, either with a kid or business with my notebook. And it fits into my bike basket :-)!

Want to share your Beijing survival tools with us? Shoot us an email at editor@beijing-kids.com, message our Official Jingkids WeChat account, or leave a comment below!

KEEP READING: Three Steps To Going Green In Beijing: Family-Friendly Eco Hacks

Images: Courtesy of Eva Biehl

Our expat community thrives on connection, and here at Jingkids, we’re all about our readers, what they need and want in order to maximize their time here in Beijing. Every Monday, we’re going to feature a prominent member of our expat community and get to know them a little bit better.

Hayden Opie came to Beijing for six months in 2004 and is somehow still here. He has been more or less  fulltime at Beijing Hikers (www.beijinghikers.com) since 2007, and if you’ve ever been on a Beijing Hikers hike or trip you have probably chased him up a hill and/or received a lot of his emails. He is husband to “Big Boss” Huijie and father to Hayley, who turns 5 in November.

What’s on your mind?

I’m just trying to keep up with *gestures broadly at everything*

What’s your motivation to get moving?

Well, I get quite a bit of satisfaction when things are well-organised and going smoothly—work-wise, family-wise, whatever-wise. And I get a bit gloomy when things are messy, so there’s that for motivation, feeling satisfied instead of gloomy.

How do you stay sane in all the madness?

I stick to a couple of regular routines that help me stay on top of things. The main important things to do are roughly scheduled, and I get other stuff done around those. For example, today is the At Home With Hayley On A Weekend Routine, which means in between some housework and cooking and playing I can expect there will be a little gap when Hayley is playing or reading by herself and I’ll have some free time to do something i.e. finish answering these questions.

In general, getting out and about with Huijie and Hayley, getting enough sleep, having a bit of time every now and again for personal stuff – with those things taken care of it’s all good, I’m pretty easy.

(Getting out of the city to go hiking helps, too.)

Have someone you believe deserves some recognition for their outstanding contributions to our community? Nominate them for our weekly spotlight by writing their name in the comments below!

KEEP READING: Charlene Ng Wants To Help You Be Calmer and Happier

Images: Courtesy of Hayden Opie

Sep 1 is just around the corner, and there are a few things we as teachers can do to make our personal lives a little easier, so our professional lives can be focused on helping the kids we love. I call these things luxcessaries (necessary luxuries), and below are a few of my favorites specific to our fair city.

Get an Ayi: I waited way, way too long to take part in this staple of expat life! I was wracked with guilt, because “I’m a healthy competent adult who can clean up after herself, I shouldn’t pay someone to do it!” But when I have a day filled with crying children separated from their mothers for the first time, ten meetings that could have been an email, parents who ‘’just need me for five minutes,” and a stack of paperwork to complete before the first bell tomorrow, keeping my living space tidy often falls to the bottom of my list of priorities. There is nothing that can compare to walking into a clean home at the end of an exhausting day. Hiring an ayi has been worth every single penny, and I got over the guilt real quick!

Upgrade Your Ziroom-Supplied Bed: A good night’s sleep is vital for a positive day in class, but I find standard beds here to be, well, painful. It’s a personal opinion, but one I know a lot of Westerners share. Treat yo’ self! Spend a few RMB on Taobao and get a mattress topper, some good pillows, and soft sheets. The extra Z’s will be so worth it!

Wine Club: It’s no secret I enjoy a nice glass of wine at the end of the day, and WeChat makes getting one even easier. Join a group like We Heart Wine or Morgan’s Cheese and Wine Group. They post regular specials and curated cases at incredibly reasonable prices, and will deliver them directly to your door!

Remix Your Commute: I bike to work whenever I can, partly to get the endorphin rush from a little morning exercise and partly to try and work off the calories from the aforementioned wine. So I pay for the unlimited Hello Bike app to cut a few minutes off my commute time (check out the how-to here). No matter how you get to work, make it “me time” by downloading some new tunes, a podcast, or a audio book you have been dying to hear. Teachers are nerds at heart, but ironically, the things we love to do like reading and listening to lectures on the history of macramé fall by the wayside during the hectic school year. That hour spent on the bike or the train could end up being your favorite part of the day.

Jiayou Box: OK, this one is super cheesy. At the start of the school year, I make myself a “You can do it!” box. I fill it with little treats, cards, or pictures from old students and positive notes to myself and I hide it in my classroom or office. When I am having one of those days where I feel like I should have gone into something soulless but financially practical like banking or app development, I close my eyes, stick my hand into the box, and randomly grab something out of it. Whatever it is usually makes me smile. My expat twist is I save all the hard-to-get stuff, like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or Trader Joe’s snacks in the box.

That’s my list! What are your luxcessaries?

Images: Unsplash

KEEP READING: Making Your Temporary House Feel Like a Forever Home on a Budget

It’s a typical expat story. I was initially only supposed to be in Beijing for a few months, then I stayed a few more, and now I’m more than two years in, and what was supposed to simply be a footnote adventure in the story of my life has become home…for now.

I learned something important in the first three months I was here: Spend a little time and money making your living space feel cozy and comforting, no matter how temporary it is. Expat life is difficult. Expat life in Beijing can sometimes feel nearly impossible. While it is an incredibly rewarding experience that I would highly recommend, there are days when being an expat pushes me to my physical, emotional, and mental limits. It is incredibly important for your family’s mental and emotional health and well-being that they have a place that feels like home to return to at the end of the day. But when you will only be spending a few years in a place it can be hard to justify spending a lot of money.

I recently changed apartments and discovered a few Beijing life hacks that made my new apartment feel personal and cozy. I hope these tips help you and your family create a Beijing nest you love too!

Start by Up-Cycling: WeChat is your friend. People are always selling or flat-out giving away gently used things as they move on to their new apartment or next adventure. There are tons of second-hand buying and selling groups, including 2nd Hand Beijing Bargains, live LIGHTER live BETTER!!, Moving Sale and Buy, as well as the WeChat app Movin, which is a worldwide expat online yard sale where you can sort search results by country and region.

IKEA–No Assembly Required: I am shocked by how many people have no idea of the bargain furniture area tucked away in the back corner of IKEA. Here you can find floor samples being sold at massive discounts. So an RMB 3,000 wardrobe or couch is now RMB 1,000. Yeah, it’s got a tiny scratch in the back left corner, but that’s going against the wall anyway and you don’t need to do any assembly! Just don’t have IKEA deliver the furniture, or they will charge you to disassemble and reassemble it. If what you’re getting is small enough, pay for a six-seater DiDi and fold down the seats, or reach out to a local moving company and they will usually charge as little as RMB 100 to move a single piece of furniture.

Taobao: Obviously. The furniture on Taobao is extremely reasonably priced. I got a great bar height table that was perfect for my small living space, as well as a beautiful chair for less than RMB 1,000 combined. Be warned, though–you’ll have to assemble it yourself, and the bar cabinet I got came with no instructions, just a video link of someone putting together a piece of furniture that was not actually the same table I was working on… Shout out to my friend and puzzle master Paul for figuring it all out and not letting me give up five minutes in!

Make It Personal: Hang up some art! Get pieces that are unique and personal to you. I hadn’t realized how many of the amazing things I had gathered over the past few years of my travels fit into standard IKEA frames. The incredible watercolor I got in Seoul from a street artist and the leather carvings I got in Thailand pre-lockdown are just two examples. I also have the most beautiful origami postcards from my trip to Japan that have been sitting in a desk drawer for far too long. With a little creativity, a handful of 3M hooks, a hot glue gun, some craft paint, and a 20 kuai multi-frame, all these treasures are suddenly an original art piece!

I got my inner domestic goddess fired up using my printer and a few old boxes to create this next little set during the first lockdown. It took less than 15 minutes, and now the blueprints of places I have visited, lived in, and loved make for a great conversation starter when friends are over, as well as a reminder that we will eventually be able to travel and explore the world again. Get the kids involved too! An old IKEA print on canvas for USD 5 is suddenly cool and modern when finger paint is applied.

Hit Up the Antique Markets: Panjiayuan and Gaobeidian markets are filled with amazing finds that might end up being part of your forever home one day. A big piece of amazing local furniture or even just a few antique drawer pulls to update a modern piece will do wonders for personalizing your place. My old apartment had a wall-mounted coat hook that was so blah until I found a few smoothed-down shards of blue and white pottery that magically transformed it into a piece I loved!

Plants: One or two (or 50 if you’re me) well-placed plants will change your home and help purify the air in your apartment or house. You can find plants at Carrefour or IKEA, but I like to spend an afternoon wandering through the Wangsiying flower market. It has everything from orchids to lemon trees, as well as every sort of cut flower you can imagine at wholesale prices, and you can usually snag deals on pots and vases too. It’s a trek, but it’s worth the drive and the kids will have a blast exploring and running about among the stalls.

It might seem like more effort than it’s worth, but for me personally, being able to come home instead of just going back to my apartment is an absolutely indispensable part of making expat life…livable.

KEEP READING: Gaobeidian: Beijing’s Massive Antique Street à la London’s Portobello Market

Photos: Julie Wolf, Unsplash