Chongqing

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Furnishing and Utilities

Sections

1. Furniture Options in Chongqing

New Furniture

  • Where to Buy:

    • IKEA (ๅฎœๅฎถๅฎถๅฑ…): Located in Chongqing, IKEA is a popular choice for modern, affordable furniture. It offers a wide range of ready-to-assemble furniture, home accessories, and kitchenware.
    • Red Star Macalline (็บขๆ˜Ÿ็พŽๅ‡ฏ้พ™): A high-end furniture mall with multiple locations in Chongqing. It offers premium furniture and home decor items.
    • Local Furniture Markets: Chongqing has several local furniture markets, such as the Nanping Furniture Market (ๅ—ๅชๅฎถๅ…ทๅธ‚ๅœบ), where you can find a variety of styles, from traditional Chinese to modern designs.
    • Online Platforms: E-commerce platforms like Taobao (ๆท˜ๅฎ), JD.com (ไบฌไธœ), and Pinduoduo (ๆ‹ผๅคšๅคš) are widely used for purchasing furniture. Delivery is usually fast, and prices are competitive.

  • Cost:

    • Basic furniture (e.g., bed, sofa, dining table): ยฅ1,000โ€“ยฅ3,000 per item.
    • Premium furniture: ยฅ5,000+ per item.
    • IKEA furniture: ยฅ500โ€“ยฅ2,000 per item for standard pieces.

Second-Hand Furniture

  • Where to Buy:

    • 58.com (58ๅŒๅŸŽ): A popular online classifieds platform where locals sell second-hand furniture. You can negotiate prices directly with sellers.
    • Xianyu (้—ฒ้ฑผ): A second-hand marketplace app by Alibaba, widely used for buying and selling used goods, including furniture.
    • Local Expat Groups: WeChat groups or expat forums often have listings for second-hand furniture from foreigners leaving the city.

  • Cost:

    • Second-hand furniture is significantly cheaper, with items like beds or sofas costing ยฅ200โ€“ยฅ1,000 depending on condition and quality.

Cultural Considerations:

  • Many locals prefer minimalist or functional furniture due to smaller apartment sizes.
  • Traditional Chinese furniture (e.g., rosewood or mahogany) is available but tends to be more expensive and bulky.
  • Itโ€™s common to negotiate prices in local markets or for second-hand items.

2. Utility Setup Procedures in Chongqing

Electricity (็”ต)

  • Provider: Chongqing Electric Power Corporation (้‡ๅบ†็”ตๅŠ›ๅ…ฌๅธ), a subsidiary of the State Grid Corporation of China.
  • Setup Procedure:
    • If youโ€™re renting, the landlord typically handles the electricity account. Ensure the meter is reset or the balance is cleared before moving in.
    • For new accounts, visit the local State Grid office with your ID/passport, rental agreement, and property ownership documents (if applicable).
  • Payment:
    • Prepaid system: Recharge via the State Grid app (ๅ›ฝๅฎถ็”ต็ฝ‘) or at convenience stores.
    • Postpaid system: Monthly bills can be paid online or at banks.
  • Cost: ยฅ0.56โ€“ยฅ0.62 per kWh, depending on usage tier. Average monthly cost: ยฅ100โ€“ยฅ300 for a small apartment.

Water (ๆฐด)

  • Provider: Chongqing Water Group (้‡ๅบ†ๆฐดๅŠก้›†ๅ›ข).
  • Setup Procedure:
    • Similar to electricity, landlords usually manage water accounts. For new accounts, visit the Chongqing Water Group office with your ID and rental agreement.
  • Payment:
    • Monthly bills can be paid via the Chongqing Water Group app, WeChat, or Alipay.
  • Cost: ยฅ2โ€“ยฅ4 per cubic meter. Average monthly cost: ยฅ30โ€“ยฅ100.

Gas (็‡ƒๆฐ”)

  • Provider: Chongqing Gas Group (้‡ๅบ†็‡ƒๆฐ”้›†ๅ›ข).
  • Setup Procedure:
    • Gas is commonly used for cooking and heating water. Landlords typically set up the account. If not, visit the Chongqing Gas Group office with your ID and rental agreement.
  • Payment:
    • Prepaid or postpaid options are available. Payments can be made via the Chongqing Gas app, WeChat, or Alipay.
  • Cost: ยฅ2.5โ€“ยฅ3 per cubic meter. Average monthly cost: ยฅ50โ€“ยฅ150.

Internet (ๅฎฝๅธฆ)

  • Providers:
    • China Mobile (ไธญๅ›ฝ็งปๅŠจ): Affordable and widely available.
    • China Telecom (ไธญๅ›ฝ็”ตไฟก): Known for stable and fast connections.
    • China Unicom (ไธญๅ›ฝ่”้€š): Offers competitive packages.
  • Setup Procedure:
    • Visit the providerโ€™s office with your ID and rental agreement. Some landlords may already have internet installed, and you can take over the account.
  • Cost:
    • Basic plans: ยฅ100โ€“ยฅ150 per month for 100โ€“300 Mbps.
    • Bundled packages (internet + mobile): ยฅ200โ€“ยฅ300 per month.
  • Installation Time: 1โ€“3 days after signing the contract.

3. Average Costs for Utilities in Chongqing

  • Electricity: ยฅ100โ€“ยฅ300/month.
  • Water: ยฅ30โ€“ยฅ100/month.
  • Gas: ยฅ50โ€“ยฅ150/month.
  • Internet: ยฅ100โ€“ยฅ150/month.
  • Total Monthly Utilities: ยฅ280โ€“ยฅ700, depending on apartment size and usage.

4. Local Service Providers and Payment Methods

  • Payment Apps: WeChat (ๅพฎไฟก) and Alipay (ๆ”ฏไป˜ๅฎ) are the most common methods for paying utility bills. You can link your utility accounts to these apps for automatic payments.
  • Customer Service: Most utility providers have hotlines and apps with English support, but itโ€™s advisable to have a Chinese-speaking friend or translator assist you if needed.

5. Cultural and Regional Considerations

  • Apartment Furnishing: Many rental apartments in Chongqing come semi-furnished or fully furnished. Fully furnished apartments typically include basic furniture (bed, sofa, dining table) and appliances (air conditioner, washing machine, refrigerator).
  • Air Conditioning and Heating: Chongqing has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Air conditioning is essential in summer, but central heating is uncommon. Many residents use electric heaters in winter.
  • Hot Water: Gas water heaters are common, but some apartments may use electric water heaters.
  • Humidity: Chongqing is known for its high humidity, so consider purchasing a dehumidifier to protect furniture and belongings from mold.

6. Tips for Newcomers

  • Inspect Before Moving In: Check the condition of furniture, appliances, and utility meters before signing a rental agreement.
  • Negotiate with Landlords: Itโ€™s common to negotiate rent and utility arrangements. Some landlords may include utilities in the rent.
  • Understand Contracts: Rental contracts are typically in Chinese. Ensure you understand the terms, especially regarding utility payments and maintenance responsibilities.
  • Emergency Numbers:
    • Electricity: 95598
    • Water: 966886
    • Gas: 966777

By understanding these aspects of furnishing and utilities in Chongqing, youโ€™ll be well-prepared to settle into your new home and adapt to the local lifestyle. Let me know if you need further assistance!