Districts In Beijing?

[signs]

Hi, I'll be moving to Beijing pretty soon for work and need to find a place to live. I'm not very familiar with Beijing and its districts. I'm looking for a rather basic and modern apartment that doesn't cost too much, but is in an area that has a good neighbourhood (food, restaurants, shops, grocery/supermarket etc). I'm not really into bars or nightlife, so that won't be a priority for me. I just need advice on a rather foreign-friendly and not-too-expensive neighbourhood.

I'll be working in the Haidian district (Zhichunlu), which is close to the No. 10 subway I believe. I've seen many ads for Wudakou area, but I don't think there are a lot of shops or restaurants around that area?? I just need a neighbourhood where I can eat out every night without getting bored of the same food.

My choices come down to:

• Haidian (any particular area I should look out for?)
  
• Xicheng (Dazhongsi area)
  

What do you think??

[aristotle1990]

I've seen many ads for Wudakou area, but I don't think there are a lot of shops or restaurants around that area??

Umm, there are lots and lots of stores and restaurants, many of which carry goods that you can't get in many other places in Beijing.

[JonBI]

Umm, there are lots and lots of stores and restaurants, many of which carry goods that you can't get in many other places in Beijing.

There is also the price factor though; I am heading to Wudaokou to study next year, though I hear the prices on food are, especially around BLCU, higher than elsewhere.

[aristotle1990]

Well, if you're a westerner, it's not really going to matter, because you probably have more than enough money to make up the difference anyway. And if you're really into saving money, you can eat at the cafeteria all the time*, but like the vast majority of westerners here, you're probably not going to.

Fancy Western/Korean/Japanese restaurant prices are the same as anywhere. Large supermarkets, not much more expensive at all (if at all). Only difference is that Chinese restaurants are not that common.

*The cafeteria food is actually more expensive than at other universities, but the quality is better. You can, of course, go to the university across the street to eat everyday and save a fraction of a dollar with every meal, but you will come to realize that quality is far more important than saving a few cents, especially in a country like China and especially if you have enough money.

[roddy]

Off the top of my head, Wudaokou on line 13 (bit of a foreign student bubble, but that's not necessarily a bad thing), Mudanyuan on line 10 (very few foreigners, but only a few stops away from work and a nice area), Huixinjienankou on line 10 (near the University of International Business and Economics, which has a fairly large foreign student population).

I don't know these areas particularly well though. Perhaps also around Renda and Beihang?

[signs]

Off the top of my head, Wudaokou on line 13 (bit of a foreign student bubble, but that's not necessarily a bad thing), Mudanyuan on line 10 (very few foreigners, but only a few stops away from work and a nice area), H/ on line 10 (near the University of International Business and Economics, which has a fairly large foreign student population).

I don't know these areas particularly well though. Perhaps also around Renda and Beihang?

Thank you Roddy, a very helpful post

About Mudanyuan - can someone tell me if there are any nearby supermarkets where I can do my shopping? Also, where, or what's the best way I can find out about areas or neighbourhoods within a district?

[roddy]

There's at least one supermarket there, a 物美 I think. Never actually been in it, just walked past.

Finding out about areas . . . get on Google Earth and see how much greenery there is. Jump on Dianping.com and find out how many restaurants there are nearby. To be honest though, it could take you all day from there, and ten minutes once you're here.