By S. Moore An expat in Hangzhou for over ten years
Introduction:
Welcome to Hangzhou, a vibrant and modern city located in eastern China. Hangzhou is about a one-hour train ride east of Shanghai. As a newly arrived expat, you'll find yourself immersed in a unique blend of traditional Chinese culture and modern urban living. While there are many benefits to living in Hangzhou - especially if you’re a lover of green, gardens, hiking, and, especially tea, there are some challenges and frustrations being an expat in the city. This article aims to provide you with an overview of essential aspects that expats typically care about when settling into Hangzhou.
Weather:
Hangzhou generally experiences a humid subtropical climate. Summers are hot, humid, and rainy, while winters are mild and relatively dry. In summer (June to August), the average maximum temperature ranges from 32°C (90°F) to 35°C (95°F), and the city receives abundant rainfall. Okay, so here is one of the frustrating realities of living in the city. The summers can be sticky and sweaty. Most of us choose these months to be traveling. There are several outdoor pools around the city that are popular with expats during the hot months.
Autumn (September to November) is characterized by mild temperatures, less rainfall, and is generally considered the most pleasant season. Winter (December to February) is mild, with average maximum temperatures from 9°C (48°F) to 12°C (54°F). Spring (March to May) brings warmer temperatures and intermittent rain showers. Aside from the hot summer months, the weather in Hangzhou is really quite good.
Cost of Living:
Hangzhou offers a relatively affordable lifestyle for expatriates. Compared to other major Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai, Hangzhou's cost of living is often considered more reasonable, providing a good balance between quality and affordability.
Housing:
Rental prices can fluctuate depending on the area and type of accommodation. You can expect to pay a minimum of 3000 RMB a month (for a small-sized studio) and then upwards to 50,000 RMB a month. For a housing agency dedicated to helping expats, check out Hangzhou PLUS Housing. Their English-speaking agents are professional and helpful. You can search on their website (http://www.hangzhouhomes.com), or add them on WeChat (ID: plushousing).
Transportation:
Hangzhou boasts an efficient and affordable public transportation system. The metro, buses, and shared bikes are convenient options, with an average ride costing 3-6 RMB. Car-hailing services available through Alipay will cost anywhere from 10-100 RMB depending on your trip.
Food:
Eating costs depend on your preference. A local lunch can be 10-20 RMB, while a steak dinner at a Western restaurant like Blue Frog can be upwards of 200 RMB. Supermarkets like Hippo offer a wide variety of local and imported groceries. A weekly grocery bill might range from 200-500 RMB.
Accessibility to Living Options:
Gyms and Sports Facilities:
The city offers a multitude of gyms. A popular app is LeFit (乐刻), which allows 24-hour access to a chain of gyms for about 150 RMB a month. Typical yearly gym memberships cost from 2000-4000 RMB.
Shopping:
From modern malls to local markets, Hangzhou has it all. Explore food fairs like Lajijie (垃圾街), old streets like Hefang Rd (河坊街), and night markets. For electronics, the Ego Market on Huanggu Shan Lu (黄姑山路，颐高数码) is highly recommended.
International Food and Beverage Options:
Hangzhou boasts hundreds of international options. The key is finding them. Bon App is a great English platform with reviews and articles on a wide range of cuisines to help you explore the city's food scene.
Key Apps and Platforms:
- Alipay: Essential for mobile payments, booking taxis, movie tickets, and more.
- Taobao: A massive e-commerce platform for almost anything you need.
- Trip.com: An English-friendly travel booking app for domestic and international travel.
- Dianping: The go-to app for restaurant and lifestyle reviews (Chinese language).
- WeChat: The all-in-one super-app for messaging, social media, and payments.
Important Tip: Ensure your name is registered identically across all platforms (bank account, WeChat, Alipay, phone number) to avoid payment and verification issues.
Conclusion:
As you think about relocating to Hangzhou, be prepared to embrace the city's rich cultural heritage, modern amenities, and greenery, but also be ready for some humidity and a slightly slower pace of life than Shanghai or Beijing. If you are a curious explorer, you will always find something to interest you. Before your move, search on WeChat and Facebook for "Hangzhou Expats" groups to connect with foreigners already in the city. There are many communities for sports, buying and selling, education, and more. Connecting with them will really help you enjoy your time in Hangzhou.
