TinTurtle
American expat in China
Forum posts
21
About me
American
Lives in Beijing
Speaks English
Registration: 22 June 2011
Activity
"Chinese or off-shore bank account?" by SkydivingGirl
I will be moving to Beijing for 3 months, starting in September and was wondering if I should set up a chinese bank account or keep using my american one? What are the advantages/issues with each method? How hard is it as a foreigner to get a ...
There are two different types of cards, one will work online internationally, and one won't. The key issue with domestic bank accounts is the difficulty with moving funds out of the country. There is the limit on the amount of currency you are ... Read More
Skype in China? by kiwiinkorea
Can skype be used from China?
Yes it works fine, just be aware that Skype is monitored by the Chinese government. Read More
Beijing pollution and impact on children by Pyrmontfamily
Hi, my family is considering a move to Beijing for my husbands job. I have really only one major concern. The pollution and the impact.it can have.on 2 young childten my eldest just turned 4 and my youngest is 7 weeks. ( she will be about 4.to 5 ...
We just had the most incredible two weeks of clean air I can remember. Even today, it is crystal clear and blue sky. I have no idea why, but it has felt great. Read More
Beijing pollution and impact on children by Pyrmontfamily
Hi, my family is considering a move to Beijing for my husbands job. I have really only one major concern. The pollution and the impact.it can have.on 2 young childten my eldest just turned 4 and my youngest is 7 weeks. ( she will be about 4.to 5 ...
There is an American doctor with a great website on health issues in Beijing. Look up MyHealth Beijing when you get a chance. He covers not only the air pollution issues, but water quality and food safety as well. Read More
Software Package for Learning Mandarin by Ottontarion
Can anyone recommend a software package for learning Mandarin Chinese? I have seen high praise for Rosetta Stone. I would like to take a course but will probably need to wait a few months before I can make the time for some night lessons.
I have used ChinesePod (website) and it is ok. I have the Pleco package for the iPhone and it is essential, but it doesn't teach me to speak Chinese. ChinesePod has the videos for the iPhone too and that helps kill time in the taxi. I am ... Read More
Beijing pollution and impact on children by Pyrmontfamily
Hi, my family is considering a move to Beijing for my husbands job. I have really only one major concern. The pollution and the impact.it can have.on 2 young childten my eldest just turned 4 and my youngest is 7 weeks. ( she will be about 4.to 5 ...
The pollution level is insane. There is no way to really know what the long term effects are, but spend 3 days in a row with an AQI of 400+ and you will know whether you want to expose people you love and care about to this environment for any ... Read More
Most Useful IPad or IPhone Apps by Ottontarion
Hi, Just starting a thread on IPad or IPhone apps that help with life in Beijing. You would think that after being here for about a year I would have gathered a large number... but nope :) So far what I have found useful is: Beijing Taxi Guide - ...
Pleco - the best Chinese/English tool Motion X - GPS Beijing Taxi Guide City Fu Explore Metro - Beijing Subway Map & Station Locator CamCard - Business card OCR City Weekend - Beijing events and directory Skype StrongVPN Read More
They're offering 130,000RMB / month....what do you say? by spiribizki
Hi friends, I have been offered to relocate to Beijing for 3-4 years with my three kids and wife (family of 5). The company would be paying for the house and the international school and 130000 RMB per month after tax (plus the trip back home once ...
Couple more things to think about: 1) Paying for the move versus reimbursement. We got a deal where they offered to pay our move (one 40' shipping container) or I could arrange shipping myself and they reimbursed us a fixed amount similar to the ... Read More
They're offering 130,000RMB / month....what do you say? by spiribizki
Hi friends, I have been offered to relocate to Beijing for 3-4 years with my three kids and wife (family of 5). The company would be paying for the house and the international school and 130000 RMB per month after tax (plus the trip back home once ...
The issue will not be money, particularly if they are paying housing. The real question will be can you tolerate the pollution and other health issues. Petty crime will not be a problem, it is much safer than say Chicago. Kidnapping? All of the ... Read More
internet by kantchr
Hello all I am moving to beijing next and would like to know. Is are sites like skype, and facebook blocked?And if so how can you get round this. Regards, Keith
Same for updates, I only do my updates through the VPN for Windows, and wait till I am back in the U.S. before updating Skype or anything that is non-essential. Read More
internet by kantchr
Hello all I am moving to beijing next and would like to know. Is are sites like skype, and facebook blocked?And if so how can you get round this. Regards, Keith
I'm using China Unicomm dsl with their modem and a TP-Link router flashed with English firmware. The environment is much more variable than in the U.S. Speeds go up and down in a wide range depending on time of day - and what you are looking ... Read More
Calling Ladies for Help! Eyelashes! by Ritzyy
Hi! Wanted to know if any of you have experience with eyelash extensions in Beijing. Back in NY they are all the rave right now, but cost an arm and a leg! Found old posts on thebeijinger.com but not sure if those spas are still around. If any of ...
Yegads my wife just had this done. The first time I swear I could feel the wind everytime she blinked, but they redid them and they are not quite so obvious. She had it done at a Chinese place for about $20 US, not sure where. Read More
Salary with 13,000 RMB by Waynelcy
Hello, I was offered a job in Beijing and the pay is 13,000RMB/month. Here are my concerns before I accept the offer: 1. What is the decent accommodation cost for an apartment located in the central of Beijing for? Preferably for a single person ...
Cost of living here is steep. Surprised me quite a bit, but I compare it to U.S. prices. Even items manufactured in China are roughly 2-3 times more expensive (besides being lower quality). Anything service oriented is much cheaper, and of course ... Read More
"Chinese or off-shore bank account?" by SkydivingGirl
I will be moving to Beijing for 3 months, starting in September and was wondering if I should set up a chinese bank account or keep using my american one? What are the advantages/issues with each method? How hard is it as a foreigner to get a ...
It kind of depends on if you will have to pay any living expenses (utility bills etc) in your name with a Chinese card. For 3 months I wouldn't bother with it if you don't have to. I have a U.S. Citibank account and my debit card works fine here, ... Read More
language study school in Beijing by spiffster
Well going to be arriving in China in a few short months and looking for some information on where to learn mandarin in a class setting to be able to meet new people in my shoes also, would i need to bring transcripts to only take language courses. ...
No transcripts... just money. It is pricey. But I am talking about schools that specialize in teaching you Mandarin so that you can speak semi-effectively in the shortest amount of time. There are 3 or so good schools that I know of, and it will ... Read More