Looking for real estate in China, especially Qingdao, can be a formidable task. Here are a few things to consider when deciding where to live. Before you get started you should ask your self some of these basic questions: How far are you willing to travel to work from your home? Do you have any decent supermarkets, department stores, hospitals, financial institutions, or local farmers markets near your home? Is a major road or bus stop located near by? Now that you have decided on a location it’s time to consider some basics. Winters in Qingdao do get windy and cold. You should find a place that has city provided or gas radiator heating. City heating usually costs about 30.4 RMB per square meter of living area. This price is for the whole winter, which lasts about 120 days. Gas heating is also very popular and usually more efficient; this type of heating, which is also through radiators, can be controlled easily. Make sure there is a radiator in every room that is centrally located. A.C. heating just does not do the job and is far too expensive in the long run. You should try to get an apartment that has windows on both the north and south sides. This will ensure an ample breeze through your apartment when you need some fresh air.
The summers in Qingdao are quite comfortable, however, for about two-three weeks near the end of August the humidity can get quite high. Again, if you find an apartment that has windows on both the north and south sides you will be able to enjoy a comfortable evening breeze. This breeze accompanied with a fan can keep you cool enough for those few weeks. However, if you can’t stand the heat you should look for an apartment that has central heating/cooling or at least a small A.C. in your bed room.
Qingdao recently switched to natural gas that is piped into most apartments. This gas is used for cooking and/or heating water for showers and central heating. In general, the hot water in your apartment comes from a small electric water heater located in the bathroom, or from a small gas boiler that is located in the kitchen. Bathrooms are generally not as luxurious as the ones we have in the west. Villas on the other hand are fully loaded with all the comforts that money can buy. Again, if you’re willing to pay the money you can have all the luxuries of home.